Restoration of Iconic Statues in Washington D.C. Underway

President Donald Trump has released images highlighting the restoration of The Arts of War and The Arts of Peace statues in Washington D.C.

Trump posted four photos of one of the recently regilded statues, surrounded by scaffolding, and workers engaged in the process. On Truth Social, he stated, “Taking down the scaffolding around the regilded Arts of War sculptures!”

Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has initiated a range of ambitious construction projects in the capital. These include significant renovations of the White House, the building of a 250-foot-tall triumphal arch along the Potomac River, upgrading one of Washington D.C.’s historic public golf courses, and planning a new statue garden to honor figures from American history.

The National Park Service has awarded a $5.1 million contract to a Maryland-based gilding studio to restore the four bronze horse statues. These statues are known as the Arts of War and Arts of Peace, as documented in federal records. The restoration began in April and is set to conclude in September.

The Arts of War, sculpted by American sculptor Leo Friedlander, include two statues named Valor and Sacrifice. They stand at the entrance to Arlington Memorial Bridge. The Arts of Peace, created by American sculptor James Earle Fraser, feature statues entitled Music and Harvest and Aspiration and Literature, located at the entrance to the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway.

This story is still developing, and more updates will follow.