Prepared by Petrides Public Sculpture for review by the U.S. Embassy, Athens
Project status and chronology
Updated 13 October 2026
ConfirmedScheduledAwaiting decisionStudio recommendationProposed design
| Item | Position | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | Completed in the artist’s New York studio, September 2026. | Confirmed |
| Donation and ownership | Donation documents executed with the U.S. Embassy, Athens (studio record: April 2026). The sculpture is the property of the U.S. Department of State. | Confirmed |
| Physical delivery | Collection from the New York studio arranged by the Embassy for October 2026. | Scheduled |
| Placement | The back lawn, selected by the Embassy in September 2026, remains the selected location. | Confirmed |
| Reconsideration request | The studio has requested reconsideration in favour of the entrance. The Embassy’s response is pending. | Studio recommendation |
| Base design and construction | The studio will issue the base specification once the Embassy responds to the reconsideration request. Engineering review and construction by the Embassy’s contractor. | Awaiting decision |
| Plaque text | Draft prepared for Embassy review and approval. | Awaiting decision |
| Installation | To be scheduled after base construction. | Awaiting decision |
| Dedication | No decision recorded. | Awaiting decision |
Chronology
- April 2026Donation documents executed with the U.S. Embassy, Athens (studio record).
- June–July 2026Embassy staff and George Petrides meet at Jefferson House and identify two viable locations: the entrance and the back lawn.
- 11 August 2026Project briefing issued: rationale, sculpture, locations, base, plaque and sequence of work.
- 14 August 2026Base construction guidance issued.
- September 2026Sculpture completed in the New York studio. The Embassy selects the back lawn.
- October 2026Collection from the New York studio arranged by the Embassy. The studio requests reconsideration of the location in favour of the entrance.
Responsibilities and costs
George Petrides has donated the sculpture. As set out in the briefing of 11 August 2026, other project costs are borne by the Embassy: transport from New York to Athens, base construction, plaque fabrication, lighting, landscaping, and any dedication event.
Installation support
Entrance location. The studio provides the base specification and written guidance for the Embassy’s contractor. George Petrides will attend the installation to confirm the sculpture’s orientation and complete final surface touch-ups.
Back lawn location. Because of the two-tier base, the slope, irrigation and lighting, the studio would ask to take part in planning and in supervising the work on site.
Sculpture and base
Proposed design Base dimensions are concept dimensions, subject to engineering review.
| Sculpture | 100 cm H × approx. 100 cm W; depth to be confirmed |
|---|---|
| Weight | Approx. 30 kg (66 lb), excluding base |
| Insured value | US$250,000 (studio figure) |
| Base | Reinforced concrete cylinder, Ø 65 cm |
| Constructed height | 130 cm |
| Exposed height | 120 cm above finished grade |
| Monument height, entrance | 220 cm (one cylinder) |
| Monument height, back lawn | 270 cm (cylinder on a lower cylinder, Ø 120 × 50 cm, to compensate for the slope) |
Documentation outstanding. Depth measurement, a record of signature and marks, and a dated condition report, to be completed before delivery; professional photography of the completed work.
Constructed and exposed height. The cylinder is cast 10 cm taller than its exposed height because its top 10 cm fits into a recess in the underside of the sculpture. Foundation size and depth are set by the engineer.
Schematic elevations of the two configurations. See installation and base construction.
Proposed plaque text
Awaiting decision Draft for review and approval by the Embassy.
Thomas Jefferson
1743–1826
Principal Author of the Declaration of Independence
First Secretary of State
Third President of the United States
Presented to the United States Embassy in Athens
by George Petrides, Sculptor
In commemoration of the 250th anniversary
of the Declaration of Independence
2026
Curved bronze plaque for the cylindrical base, cast by a U.S. fabricator previously used by the studio; approximately six weeks from order.
Next steps
| Party | Next steps |
|---|---|
| U.S. Embassy, Athens | Confirm the placement; review and approve the plaque text; decide whether a dedication will be held. |
| Embassy staff | Customs-clearance and VAT-exemption documentation; engineering review of the base; facilities and security approvals; plaque order; base construction with the local contractor; lighting; installation and final landscaping. |
| Petrides Public Sculpture | Issue the base specification for the confirmed location; provide written installation guidance; attend the installation to confirm orientation and complete final surface touch-ups. |
| Contractors and vendors | Plaque casting (approximately six weeks from order); base construction after engineering approval; crating and transport; lighting; mounting with the art transporter. |