The Promised Land (sculpture)

The Promised Land is an outdoor bronze sculpture by David Manuel, located in Chapman Square, Plaza Blocks in Portland, Oregon.[1]

The Promised Land
The sculpture in April 2015
ArtistDavid Manuel
Year1993 (1993)
TypeSculpture
MediumBronze
SubjectPioneer family
Dimensions3.0 m × 1.7 m × 1.7 m (10 ft × 5.5 ft × 5.5 ft)
Condition"Well maintained" (1993)
LocationPortland, Oregon, United States
Coordinates45°30′55″N 122°40′40″W
OwnerOregon Trail Coordinating Council

Description and history

The Promised Land is a bronze sculpture depicting a pioneer family, including a father, mother and son, at the end of their journey. It was commissioned by the Oregon Trail Coordinating Council for $150,000 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Oregon Trail. The sculpture measures approximately 10 feet (3.0 m) x 5.5 feet (1.7 m) x 5.5 feet (1.7 m). The Smithsonian Institution offers the following description:

Standing figures of a pioneer family, circa 1843. The parents stand to the back and their son stands between them in front. The father is bearded and wearing a long-sleeve shirt, trousers with suspenders and mid-calf boots. He points with his proper right hand and his proper left arm is around his wife, who wears a long prairie dress shawl, and apron. Her hair is in a bun, and she holds a doll to her chest in her proper left hand. The boy wears trousers with suspenders and his shirt sleeves are rolled up. He holds a Bible in his proper right hand, against his proper right leg. A wagon wheel and leaning rifle stand behind the father figure.[2]

The sculpture was completed and copyrighted in 1993, and dedicated on March 17 of that year.[2] According to Smithsonian, which surveyed the work through its "Save Outdoor Sculpture!" program in October 1993, the sculpture was located at the Oregon History Center at 1200 Southeast Park Avenue and was administered by the Oregon Trail Coordinating Council. It was set on a laminated board base which measured approximately 2.5 feet (0.76 m) x 7 feet (2.1 m) x 6 feet (1.8 m) and weighed 3,000 lbs., and was considered "well maintained" at the time of the survey.[2]

The sculpture is installed at Chapman Square, one of the Plaza Blocks, and rests on a red granite slab which contains an inscription of a quote by Thomas Jefferson. The plaza in front of the sculpture has sandblasted black bear, coyote, elk, grouse, jackrabbit, black bear and porcupine footprints, plus moccasin prints.[1]

Vandalism and removal

The artwork was vandalized during the local George Floyd protests,[3][4] and later removed and stored out of public view.[5]

See also

References
  1. "Chapman Square". City of Portland, Oregon. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  2. "The Promised Land, (sculpture)". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  3. "'Terribly upsetting': Portland takes in riot damage". July 5, 2020.
  4. Tribune, Portland (July 5, 2020). "Fireworks, riot outside Justice Center in downtown Portland again overnight". Portland Tribune. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  5. https://www.koin.com/news/protests/will-the-elk-statue-return-to-its-spot-in-downtown-portland/
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