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Coming of the White Man
Pdx washpark whitemancoming nne.jpeg
The sculpture in 2006
Artist Hermon Atkins MacNeil
Year 1904 (1904)
Medium Bronze sculpture
Subject Two Native American men, including Chief Multnomah
Location Portland, Oregon, United States
Coordinates 45°31′23″N 122°42′12″W / 45.523142°N 122.703310°W / 45.523142; -122.703310

Coming of the White Man is a bronze sculpture by American artist Hermon Atkins MacNeil, installed in Washington Park, Portland, Oregon in the United States. The statue was gifted to the City of Portland in 1904 by former mayor David P. Thompson and installed the following year. It depicts two Native American men, including Chief Multnomah, looking towards the Columbia River upon the arrival of Lewis and Clark.

Description

Coming of the White Man sculpture
The sculpture in 1922

Coming of the White Man is a bronze sculpture designed by Hermon Atkins MacNeil (1866–1947), an American artist most known for depicting indigenous peoples of the Americas and Western pioneers. The statue is installed in Portland's Washington Park, along Southwest Washington Way. It depicts Chief Multnomah and another Native American man looking towards the Columbia River upon the arrival of Lewis and Clark. One man is shown holding branches in his lifted right arm, pointed in the direction of the approaching explorers; the other figure folds his arms in front.

According to the Regional Arts & Culture Council, which administers the work, the sculpture measures 8 feet 8 inches (2.64 m) × 6 feet (1.8 m) × 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) and is mounted to a stone base that measures 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) × 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m) × 9 feet 6 inches (2.90 m). The irregular stone base has an inscription of the work's title. The pedestal displays the text "Presented to the City of Portland by the Family of David P. Thompson" as shown in the image.

History

The statue was donated to the City of Portland in 1904 by former mayor David P. Thompson. It was installed the following year, ahead of the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition.

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