Sculptpedia Statues, Busts and Sculptures Park sculptures and installations Ancient World & Antiquity Middle Ages & Renaissance Marble & Other Stones Bronze & Other Metals

Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc is a bronze statue in Portland, Oregon, located in the Laurelhurst neighborhood. It is a copy of Emmanuel Frémiet’s equestrian Jeanne d’Arc statue from 1874, also known as Joan of Arc or the Maid of Orléans. The sculpture was donated to the city by Henry Waldo Coe, who had seen Frémiet’s original statue in Paris at Place des Pyramides. The Portland example arrived from France in 1924 and was dedicated on Memorial Day in 1925 in honor of the Doughboys of the First World War. Another cast of the same work is located in New York.

Golden equestrian statue of Joan of Arc in armor holding a flag-topped staff on a stone pedestal.
Joan of Arc’s gilded equestrian statue stands on a stone pedestal beneath a cloudy sky.
August 2015 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Gilded equestrian statue of Joan of Arc in armor holding a banner on a stone pedestal.
Joan of Arc statue in Portland, shown as a gilded equestrian figure on a tall stone pedestal.
August 2015 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Joan of Arc equestrian statue in golden bronze on a stone pedestal in a park setting.
The gilded Joan of Arc equestrian sculpture stands on a stone pedestal in Portland, Oregon.
March 2015 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Joan of Arc equestrian statue with an armored rider holding a flag aloft.
Joan of Arc statue on horseback, shown against trees and a pale sky.
August 2011 © Emmanuel Frémiet. · Public domain
Joan of Arc equestrian statue on a stone pedestal outdoors among trees and grass.
The Joan of Arc equestrian statue stands on a stone pedestal in a park setting.
© Angelus Commercial Studio, Portland, Oregon. "Tichnor Quality Views," Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Made Only by Tichnor Bros., Inc., Boston, Mass. · Public domain

Identification

TitleJoan of Arc
TypeOutdoor equestrian statue
SubjectJoan of Arc
Alternative titlesJeanne d'Arc, la Pucelle d'Orléans; Maiden of Orleans; Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans

Creator

Original sculptorEmmanuel Frémiet

Historical context

Original workFrémiet's Jeanne d'Arc, 1874
Original statue material/finishGilded bronze

Discovery and provenance

Installation date1925
Song performance at unveilingThe Royal Rosarian quartet sang the song at the unveiling ceremony
Associated song"Joan of Arc, They Are Calling You"
Reason for choosing Joan of ArcShe was considered the patron saint of the Doughboys while they fought in Europe during World War I
Dedication purposeIn honor of the Doughboys of World War I
Dedication dateMemorial Day, May 30, 1925
Donor's connectionHe saw Frémiet's original statue during a visit to France
Arrival in Portland1924
Imported fromFrance
Number of statues donated by Henry Waldo Coe to PortlandFour
DonorHenry Waldo Coe
Original statue locationPlace des Pyramides, Paris
Source modelMade from the original molds of Frémiet's statue
Copy statusOne of several copies of Frémiet's 1874 Jeanne d'Arc

Physical characteristics

Base lengthApproximately 9 feet (2.7 m)
Base widthApproximately 3 feet (0.91 m)
Base heightApproximately 8 feet (2.4 m)
LengthApproximately 9 feet (2.7 m)
HeightApproximately 12 feet (3.7 m)
WidthApproximately 5.5 feet (1.7 m)

Materials

Main materialBronze
Figure's flag materialCopper
Base materialGranite
Surface finishGilded with gold leaf

Appearance

DescriptionOutdoor bronze equestrian statue depicting Joan of Arc

Location and ownership

LocationCoe Circle, at the intersection of Northeast Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard and Northeast Glisan Street, Laurelhurst neighborhood, Portland, Oregon, United States
Ownership/installationInstalled in Portland's Laurelhurst neighborhood and donated to the city
Other example locationNew York

History and restoration

Base design selectionChosen through a competition held by the City Arts Commission and the Portland Architects Association
Base cost$4,000
Base makerBlaesing Granite Works
Base designer significanceFirst woman to graduate from the University of Oregon School of Architecture
Base design winnerMargaret Goodin Fritsch
Surveyed bySmithsonian Institution's Save Outdoor Sculpture! program
Restoration resultThe statue was restored to its former splendor; the pennant in Joan's right hand and the laurel wreath on her head were replaced, and the gold leaf was restored
Restoration fundingFundraising efforts and a $24,000 grant
Restoration year2002
Survey year1993
Condition over timeThe gold leaf gradually deteriorated until no trace of its brilliance remained

Significance

Historical associationConnected to World War I and the Doughboys
Interpretive noteDr. Coe said the statue and song were intended to support French soldiers' morale and help bring victory out of defeat

Other

Associated peopleDr. Coe; Henry Waldo Coe; Royal Rosarian quartet