I often wondered why this statue of Nathan Hale is displayed prominently in a small park on a corner of Summit Avenue in St. Paul. A brief internet search yielded this information:
The Nathan Hale statue was created by William Ordway Partridge (1861-1930) who was born in Paris to a wealthy American merchant family. The family returned to the United States in 1870. Mr. Partridge studied art at Columbia College where he developed a life-long interest in theatre. Later, he traveled extensively through Europe and studied sculpture at the Ecole de Beaux Arts in Paris and in Rome.
Upon returning to America he continued his art education. In 1902, Partridge published an historical character study of Nathan Hale, The Ideal Patriot. Shortly thereafter, Saint Paul's sculpture was commissioned by the Nathan Hale Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Partridge worked more than 5 years on the piece, seeking a depiction of Hale that would be "inspired and vital to the living present."
The bronze sculpture depicts Nathan Hale with hands tied behind his back, waiting to meet his fate on the scaffold. He is dressed in the simple garb of a schoolmaster. The Saint Paul Pioneer Press exclaimed that "the attitude is a striking one, full of strength and dignity."
une belle sculpture de ce jeune homme
ReplyDeleteIf he is single, I have someone that could look at him eye to eye posted today.
ReplyDeleteand look at that tree in blossom behind him!!!!
ReplyDeleteImpressive post, Kate. One tends to forget just how young people we read about in history books could actually have been.
ReplyDeleteAbout the leash on today's post, the only thing I can say in defense of the owner is that perhaps he/she was looking out to avoid any pedestrian not paying attention and getting tangled up with this swell dog and therefore taking it out on the dog. I myself hope the person wasn't gone too long, for sure. And I understand your point one hundred percent. Thanks for stopping by.
Well I didn't really know who Nathan Hale was Kate, so of course good old Google. Very interesting young man, a spy no less!! He certainly looks very dignified in his sculpture.
ReplyDeleteHe does look proud and strong.
ReplyDeleteThe spring flowering tree made a nice backdrop for your photo of the Patriot. Only lived to be twenty one and left us with a time honored statement. The sculpturer who designed the piece honored Nathan Hale and himself with the choice of pose!
ReplyDeleteWOW! I never realized he was only 21 when he died!
ReplyDeleteIt is a grand sculpture and thank you for the information to describe it. When I first saw it I thought he was just standing with his hands behind him like my Grandfather did most of the time. when I read that his hands were tied and he was awaiting his fate, it gave a whole different feeling to the piece.
ReplyDeleteThe more I read about revolutionary history, the more impressed I am with the people who made it happen.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the St. Paul Pioneer Press!
ReplyDeleteNathan Hale! A Connecticut man! I think I will need to post another Hale shot to reclaim him for the nutmeggers.
ReplyDeletenice shot. I love this statue. It seems like occasionally in the spring I've seen him holding a yellow helium balloon behind his back. I'd love to get a shot of that.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back to the north country!.