The William Ordway Partridge Statue of Pocahontas (1922)
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The William Ordway Partridge statue of Pocahontas is a beautiful and often admired work located in Historic Jamestown. Though a bit anachronistic, it seems not to have irritated many people, and the level of controversy (if any) is remarkably subdued. That has to count as a success! I will mention a few issues to keep a record of what I've found in my readings.
First, the basic history: the sculptor, William Ordway Partridge, was born in Paris, France, in 1861 to American parents. After university education (drama) in America, he studied sculpting in Paris, France and Florence, Italy, and later created sculpted works of iconic Americans, including Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, Ulysses S Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, and more. He died May 22, 1930. The statue of Pocahontas is roughly life-sized and was made in 1908, but not displayed until 1922. The original is located at Historic Jamestown in Jamestown, Virginia. A replica of the statue was presented to the British people in 1958 and is now on display at St. George's Church in Gravesend, England, the place where Pocahontas died in 1617 and where she is buried. (More photos below) |
William Ordway Partridge Pocahontas, photo Aug. 11, 2016
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From Pocahontas: Her Life and Legend (1994), by William M. S. Rasmussen & Robert S. Tilton
"Partridge saw Pocahontas not as a savage who intervened providentially into Anglo-Saxon history, but as a person of exceptional virtue and a peacemaker. ... Drawing in part on his background as an actor, Partridge presents a figure whose dramatic, theatrical stance effectively suggests her passionate concern to spare bloodshed. The impression is that Pocahontas has emerged from the woods and is walking into the Jamestown village again, as she did four centuries ago. She comes with seriousness and sincerity, and she gestures in peace." p. 43, 44.
"Partridge saw Pocahontas not as a savage who intervened providentially into Anglo-Saxon history, but as a person of exceptional virtue and a peacemaker. ... Drawing in part on his background as an actor, Partridge presents a figure whose dramatic, theatrical stance effectively suggests her passionate concern to spare bloodshed. The impression is that Pocahontas has emerged from the woods and is walking into the Jamestown village again, as she did four centuries ago. She comes with seriousness and sincerity, and she gestures in peace." p. 43, 44.
My comments:
Rasmussen and Tilton mention in their book that the statue was first commissioned in 1906 (by the Pocahontas Memorial Association) to be ready for the 1907 Jamestown anniversary, but that only half of the $10,000 funds were raised by 1912, and that it wasn't until 1922 that the statue was unveiled. The authors suggest that Virginia racism may have contributed to the slow pace of fundraising, as Virginians were conflicted in their views about Pocahontas at a time when laws were being passed to define 'White' as people with no blood other than Caucasian, and 'Colored' as everyone else, including Indians. As many Virginians claimed to be descendants of Pocahontas, a corollary to the anti-miscegenation laws was written to make a "Pocahontas Exception," which stated that people with one sixteenth Indian blood or less could still be considered 'White.' (p. 44)
An issue that is often mentioned in descriptions of this statue is that her attire seems to be more plains Indian than Powhatan, and the vest design and shoes are not particularly Indian. Also, less frequently mentioned, and based on the back story by the sculptor himself, the moment memorialized here is the incident where Pocahontas supposedly warned John Smith that her father was planning to have Smith and his fellow soldiers killed. That story is a little controversial, as it puts Pocahontas in an unfavorable light from a Powhatan point of view. However, Pocahontas's motivations (beyond the suggestion of 'peace maker') cannot be imagined by merely viewing the statue, so the work has avoided controversy.
Rasmussen and Tilton mention in their book that the statue was first commissioned in 1906 (by the Pocahontas Memorial Association) to be ready for the 1907 Jamestown anniversary, but that only half of the $10,000 funds were raised by 1912, and that it wasn't until 1922 that the statue was unveiled. The authors suggest that Virginia racism may have contributed to the slow pace of fundraising, as Virginians were conflicted in their views about Pocahontas at a time when laws were being passed to define 'White' as people with no blood other than Caucasian, and 'Colored' as everyone else, including Indians. As many Virginians claimed to be descendants of Pocahontas, a corollary to the anti-miscegenation laws was written to make a "Pocahontas Exception," which stated that people with one sixteenth Indian blood or less could still be considered 'White.' (p. 44)
An issue that is often mentioned in descriptions of this statue is that her attire seems to be more plains Indian than Powhatan, and the vest design and shoes are not particularly Indian. Also, less frequently mentioned, and based on the back story by the sculptor himself, the moment memorialized here is the incident where Pocahontas supposedly warned John Smith that her father was planning to have Smith and his fellow soldiers killed. That story is a little controversial, as it puts Pocahontas in an unfavorable light from a Powhatan point of view. However, Pocahontas's motivations (beyond the suggestion of 'peace maker') cannot be imagined by merely viewing the statue, so the work has avoided controversy.
Statue of Pocahontas, for Jamestown, Va
A BRONZE STATUE REPRESENTING THE INDIAN PRINCESS AT THE MOMENT WHEN SHE COMES FROM THE TENT OF POWHATTAN, HER FATHER, TO BEG THE COLONISTS TO FLEE FROM THE DEATH WHICH IS THREATENED. THIS STATUE WAS EXECUTED IN 1908, AND IS TO REST UPON A SIMPLE GRANITE PEDESTAL WITH SUITABLE INSCRIPTIONS.
THE MONEY FOR THIS STATUE WAS RAISED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTIONS FROM VARIOUS PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES—THE POCAHONTAS SOCIETY, THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, THE COLONIAL DAMES, ETC. REPLICA EXHIBITED AT THE JAMES- TOWN EXPOSITION.
(from 1914 Full text of "The Works in sculpture of William Ordway Partridge, M.A. : with biographical sketch and illustrations of principal works" link. The capitalization is in the online text, so I have kept it here.)
My comments:
As we know, the Powhatan Indians didn't live in tents, but that may be a nitpick. Anyway, let's modernize the message and say this statue portrays the moment Pocahontas purportedly emerged from her father's dwelling, cast her loyalty with the English and ruined Powhatan's last chance of eliminating John Smith. So you can see why this statue could theoretically be controversial, though it seems to have avoided protest..
A BRONZE STATUE REPRESENTING THE INDIAN PRINCESS AT THE MOMENT WHEN SHE COMES FROM THE TENT OF POWHATTAN, HER FATHER, TO BEG THE COLONISTS TO FLEE FROM THE DEATH WHICH IS THREATENED. THIS STATUE WAS EXECUTED IN 1908, AND IS TO REST UPON A SIMPLE GRANITE PEDESTAL WITH SUITABLE INSCRIPTIONS.
THE MONEY FOR THIS STATUE WAS RAISED BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTIONS FROM VARIOUS PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES—THE POCAHONTAS SOCIETY, THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, THE COLONIAL DAMES, ETC. REPLICA EXHIBITED AT THE JAMES- TOWN EXPOSITION.
(from 1914 Full text of "The Works in sculpture of William Ordway Partridge, M.A. : with biographical sketch and illustrations of principal works" link. The capitalization is in the online text, so I have kept it here.)
My comments:
As we know, the Powhatan Indians didn't live in tents, but that may be a nitpick. Anyway, let's modernize the message and say this statue portrays the moment Pocahontas purportedly emerged from her father's dwelling, cast her loyalty with the English and ruined Powhatan's last chance of eliminating John Smith. So you can see why this statue could theoretically be controversial, though it seems to have avoided protest..
Link to Partridge papers, 1894-1905, at William & Mary, Earl Gregg Swem Library Special Collections Database
William Ordway Partridge Statue of Pocahontas photos; Aug. 11, 2016
Face of Pocahontas statue, photo Aug. 11, 2016
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Bust of Pocahontas statue, photo Aug. 11, 2016
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Shoes of Pocahontas statue (side), photo Aug. 11, 2016
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Shoes of Pocahontas statue (front), photo Aug. 11, 2016
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Floral detail of vest; photo Aug. 11, 2016
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Floral detail of vest (front); photo Aug. 11, 2016
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From Pocahontas: Her Life and Legend (1994), by William M. S. Rasmussen & Robert S. Tilton
"It matters little that the figure is a woman of perhaps eighteen or twenty years instead of the girl of twelve to fourteen who visited the settlers when John Smith was there. Nor is it a concern that she wears clothing more befitting a western Indian than a Powhatan, or that the peculiar sandals on her feet would have been as unknown to her culture as would the almost Art Nouveau floral design incised on her vest, both of which are visually appealing if inaccurate. What is significant is that Partridge answered well his commission to create a monument that halts the viewer and inspires remembrance of Pocahontas and her accomplishment." p. 44
"It matters little that the figure is a woman of perhaps eighteen or twenty years instead of the girl of twelve to fourteen who visited the settlers when John Smith was there. Nor is it a concern that she wears clothing more befitting a western Indian than a Powhatan, or that the peculiar sandals on her feet would have been as unknown to her culture as would the almost Art Nouveau floral design incised on her vest, both of which are visually appealing if inaccurate. What is significant is that Partridge answered well his commission to create a monument that halts the viewer and inspires remembrance of Pocahontas and her accomplishment." p. 44
LInk to a site referencing the replica statue in England
The Resting Place of Pocahontas
The last resting place of the famous Native American princess is marked by a haunting monument.
The uncredited writer also made this comment about Pocahontas's treatment during her captivity:
My comment:
We have no information or evidence about how Pocahontas was treated during her captivity. Historians have tended to favor the idea that this was a unique moment in American history prior to the 1622 Powhatan uprising when the colonists were still trying to find a way to co-exist with the Indians. They say Pocahontas would have been treated well, and they wouldn't have brought her to England if she could potentially declare otherwise. Others, particularly Native Americans, see how the indigenous population was treated in subsequent years and are open to the possibility that Pocahontas was abused. Personally, I don't know what is true, but I don't believe the un-named "scholar" mentioned above knows either. My detailed thoughts on "one scholar" can be found here.
The Resting Place of Pocahontas
The last resting place of the famous Native American princess is marked by a haunting monument.
- "It portrays her walking gracefully and open-armed as if graciously welcoming the viewer to step forward. However, perhaps the most intriguing feature of the statue is her facial expression, which has a stoic and dignified air from which an undeniable pain and bewilderment can be discerned. This detail seems included to hint at the underlying tragedy of this young woman’s short and eventful life." - Atlas Obscura
The uncredited writer also made this comment about Pocahontas's treatment during her captivity:
- "It is unclear how she was treated during this time, with one scholar suggesting that she was abused and others that she was treated respectfully, but the evidence seems to suggest that she was treated with courtesy and had developed a Stockholm syndrome towards her captors." - Atlas Obscura
My comment:
We have no information or evidence about how Pocahontas was treated during her captivity. Historians have tended to favor the idea that this was a unique moment in American history prior to the 1622 Powhatan uprising when the colonists were still trying to find a way to co-exist with the Indians. They say Pocahontas would have been treated well, and they wouldn't have brought her to England if she could potentially declare otherwise. Others, particularly Native Americans, see how the indigenous population was treated in subsequent years and are open to the possibility that Pocahontas was abused. Personally, I don't know what is true, but I don't believe the un-named "scholar" mentioned above knows either. My detailed thoughts on "one scholar" can be found here.
Notes on a Statue - July 7, 2020 - article by Coll Thrush, Univ. of Kent
(C) Kevin Miller 2018
Updated July 17,, 2020 / Banner photo by Hadley-Ives / Statue photos by Kevin Miller; Aug. 11, 2016
Updated July 17,, 2020 / Banner photo by Hadley-Ives / Statue photos by Kevin Miller; Aug. 11, 2016
