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Hiawatha

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Long ago Hiawatha became a spokesman for the Iroquois people under the The Great Peacemaker, a prophet of the tribe. He spoke to the different groups of people and helped convince them that they should all unite and become a peaceful people. By the end of his mission, there were Six Iroquois Nations that had banded together.

When August Saint-Gaudens finished studying in Paris, he continued to Rome, Italy with another student. It was in Rome that he sculpted Hiawatha in clay, and then carved him in marble. The sculpture is based on Longfellow’s poem, The Song of Hiawatha. I have never read the poem in its entirety, but I have read pieces of it. It is inspirational. How many of us have been inspired by a song, a poem, a piece of art or a story to create another artwork from it? Music has inspired sculptors and sculptures have inspired music. Anything that is created that can give you a feeling of peace or happiness or joy is meant to be.



This beautiful sculpture shows the young Hiawatha waiting, possibly contemplating what he is doing, or what he is going to do, or what he has done. It is a beautiful sculpture that now sits in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The marble was very well carved, and the beauty it emanates is catching. Surrounding ourselves with these things can only enhance our lives, our knowledge, and our appreciation and love for all good things.

Another favorite article on the Hiawatha Statue can be found here.

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