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Darth Vader grotesque
Year	1980
Type	Limestone
Location	Washington, D.C.
Coordinates	38°55′50″N 77°04′17″W / 38.9305°N 77.0715°W / 38.9305; -77.0715
Owner	Washington National Cathedral

The Darth Vader grotesque is a limestone grotesque by Jay Hall Carpenter. It is located at the Washington National Cathedral in Northwest, Washington, D.C., United States. Though sometimes seen as a graffito or form of vandalism on the church (due to the pop culture subject matter contrasted with the religious building), it is a deliberate approved addition.

The Darth Vader grotesque is one of many grotesques that are part of the National Cathedral's rain control system. The grotesques deflect rainwater by bouncing it off the tops of their heads and away from the stone walls.

In the 1980s, during the construction of the northwest tower, a children's competition was run by National Geographic World to draw grotesques for the building. Christopher Rader won third-place, with his drawing of Star Wars villain Darth Vader. The head was sculpted by Jay Hall Carpenter and the stonecarver was Patrick J. Plunkett. The Darth Vader grotesque is difficult to see with the naked eye, and binoculars are generally needed to spot it. It is located on the north side of the cathedral. Other winning designs were a raccoon, a girl with pigtails and braces, and a man with large teeth and an umbrella.

References

1. "Darth Vader at the National Cathedral". Stationstart.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
2. "Darth Vader Grotesques – National Cathedral – All Things Star Wars on Waymarking.com". Waymarking.com. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
3. "What does Darth Vader have to do with the Cathedral?" (PDF). Extremecraft.typepad.com. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
4. "Washington National Cathedral: Darth Vader". Nationalcathedral.org. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
5. "Darth Vader 'Gargoyle' – Washington National Cathedral" (PDF). Cathedral.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 13, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2017.

• Outdoor sculptures in Washington, D.C.
• 1980 sculptures
• Works based on Star Wars
• Darth Vader
• Limestone sculptures in Washington, D.C.
• Grotesques
• 1980 establishments in Washington, D.C.
• Washington National Cathedral