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Equestrian Statue of Joan of Arc

The equestrian statue of Joan of Arc in New York is a bronze sculpture cast in 1915 and set on a granite pedestal. Created by the American sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington, it stands in Manhattan at the intersection of Riverside Drive and a street not named in the source text. The figure is larger than life, at about one and a half times Joan of Arc’s size. Its Mohegan granite base was designed by John Vredenburgh van Pelt and contains stones from the Rouen prison cell where Joan was held, as well as from Reims Cathedral. The statue was cast by the Gorham Manufacturing Company and was funded by J. Sanford Saltus.

Joan of Arc equestrian statue with an armored figure raising a sword on a rearing horse atop a tiered stone pedestal.
The Joan of Arc equestrian monument rises on a multi-tiered stone pedestal with decorative arches and steps at the side.
1919 © Brown, Henry Collins, 1862-1961 · No restrictions
Joan of Arc equestrian statue on a tall stone pedestal surrounded by trees.
The Joan of Arc statue stands on a tall pedestal in Riverside Park.
© · CC BY 3.0
A dark Joan of Arc monument draped with garlands and foliage stands behind a cardinal and children in historical costumes.
Joan of Arc monument decorated with garlands, with a cardinal and children in historical costumes gathered in front.
© The Library of Congress · No restrictions
Newspaper page showing four prize-winning photographs of the Joan of Arc equestrian statue.
A 1919 newspaper page presents four prize-winning views of the Joan of Arc statue.
November 1919 © New-York Tribune · Public domain
Scanned newspaper article about a Joan of Arc celebration and statue
A scanned newspaper article discusses a celebration for Joan of Arc and mentions a statue of her.
May 1920 © AnonymousUnknown author · Public domain

Identification

TitleJoan of Arc
Typebronze equestrian statue
Title possessionHuntington's Joan of Arc
Alternate titleequestrian statue of Joan of Arc

Iconography and meaning

SubjectJoan of Arc, the Roman Catholic saint and French folk heroine

Creator

SculptorAnna Hyatt Huntington
Sculptor nationalityAmerican
Foundry / casterGorham Manufacturing Company
Base designerJohn Vredenburgh van Pelt
Model materialplaster
Made atthe studio of Jules Dalou

Historical context

Date1915
Associated movementCity Beautiful movement
Award receivedHonorable Mention at the 1910 Paris Salon
RecognitionEarned Anna Hyatt Huntington the Legion of Honor

Materials

Base contentsStones from the cell in Rouen where Joan of Arc was imprisoned before her execution in 1431, and stones from Reims Cathedral
Materialbronze
Base materialMohegan granite

Physical characteristics

Scaleone and a half times life size

Discovery and provenance

Cost to erect$35,000
Inflation-adjusted cost$1,036,728 in 2023
DonorJ. Sanford Saltus, a numismatist and member of the American Numismatic Society

Location and ownership

LocationIntersection of Riverside Drive and 93rd Street, Manhattan, New York City, United States
Other copies installed inSan Francisco, California; Blois; Gloucester, Massachusetts; and Quebec City, at the Joan of Arc Garden
Inauguration speakerJean Jules Jusserand
Inauguration dateDecember 6, 1915

History and restoration

Public reception after unveilingHuntington was catapulted into the international spotlight after the statue was unveiled
Notable guests at unveilingIncluded Mina Edison, the second wife of Thomas Edison
Photography contestIn 1919, the New York Camera Club held a competition for the best photo of the statue
Contest outcomeThe top four entrants had their photos published in the New-York Tribune on November 16, 1919