Religious Liberty Monument

Born in Richmond, Virginia, Moses Ezekiel was a soldier-turned-sculptor whose time in the military influenced many of his works. Ezekiel, who entered the Virginia military in 1862, became known for his Civil War memorials, monuments, and portraits. In addition to his military sculpture, Ezekiel was the first Jewish sculptor in America to make monuments for the Jewish community. Following the end of the Civil War, he studied sculpture in Ohio, but soon moved to Berlin to attend the city’s art academy. While in Berlin, Ezekiel was awarded the prestigious Michel Beer Prix de Rome, which provided the artist a stipend to study in Rome for two years. Finding success and renown in Rome among local and international audiences, Ezekiel spent his career working and traveling between Italy and America.