Stop! It’s Hammertime for the School of Mines

The bronze Le Marteleur—or “The Hammerman,” as he is known to most Columbia students—was created by Belgian sculptor Constantin Meunier in the late 19th century. Before this figure stood in front of Mudd, it won an honorable mention at the 1886 Paris Salon for its beautiful examination of a humble mine worker. Despite its role as a portrayal of the poor, “The Hammerman” ended up in the Ivy League—a cradle of the American elite—just 20 years later.

Since the class of 1889 of the School of Mines (now SEAS) gave Le Marteleur to the University in 1914, it has served as a mascot for Columbia engineering. For example, it was once used as a trophy for donors to the school. A 1966 memo from the Dean of Art Properties describes Le Marteleur’s association with Eggleston Associates—“a group of loyal contributing alumni”—as follows: when an alumnus joined the group, he was “given a miniature of the sculpture.”

Le Marteleur is prominent not only in the Columbia’s history, but also in the history of art. When the sculpture was recognized at the Salon, it launched Meunier’s career and he went on to become a major figure in the field of bronze sculptures. Scholars have even compared him to the famous French sculptor Auguste Rodin, creator of the iconic The Thinker—a cast of which currently stands in front of Philosophy Hall.