Don Felipe de Neve -- Los Angeles CA
N 34° 03.400 W 118° 14.336
11S E 385659 N 3769131
This statue of Don Felipe de Neve is listed in the Smithsonian Inventory database
Waymark Code: WMQXQN
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 04/11/2016
Views: 3
This state of the founder of Los Angeles, Don Felipe de Neve, stands in the "new" plaza between Main and N Los Angeles Streets.
The statue of Don Felipe is on the west side of the plaza, near an intricate gazebo. It is balanced on the other side of the plaza by the man who sent him to Spain, KIng Carlos III.
Don Felipe de Neve is wearing 16th century period clothing and appears to be a bit larger than life size. He has a flowing cape and is cradling his military hat in the cradle of his arm. Thigh-high leather boots would have protected him from thorns and brush.
From the Smithsonian Art Inventory database:
"Don Felipe de Neve, (sculpture).
Artist:
Lion, Henry, 1900-1966, sculptor.
California Art Bronze Foundry, founder.
Title:
Don Felipe de Neve, (sculpture).
Other Titles:
Felipe de Neve, (sculpture).
Governor Felipe de Neve, (sculpture).
Dates:
Commissioned 1929. Modeled 1931. Dedicated March 12, 1932
Medium:
Sculpture: bronze; Base: stone.
Dimensions:
Sculpture: approx. 7 ft. 4 in. x 3 ft. x 1 ft. 4 in.; Base: approx. 1 ft. 6 in. x 4 ft. 5 in. x 4 ft.
Inscription:
HENRY/LION/1931 (Bilingual plaque on front of base:) FELIPE DE NEVE 1728-84/SPANISH GOVERNOR OF THE CALIFORNIAS 1775-82/IN 1781, ON THE ORDERS OF KING CARLOS III OF SPAIN, FELIPE DE/NEVE SELECTED A SITE NEAR THE RIVER PORCIUNCULA AND LAID/OUT THE TOWN OF EL PUEBLO DE LA REINA DE LOS ANGELES,/ONE OF THE TWO SPANISH PUEBLOS HE FOUNDED/IN ALTA CALIFORNIA
(On plaque on side of base:) DON FELIPE DE NEVE/FOUNDER OF EL PUEBLO DE MUESTRA/SENORA LA REINA DE LOS ANGELES/SEPTEMBER 4, 1781/ERECTED IN COMMEMORATION OF THE/150TH ANNIVERSARY BY/CALIFORNIA PARLOR NO. 247/NATIVE DAUGHTERS/OF THE GOLDEN WEST/HENRY LION-SCULPTOR signed
Description:
Full-length "idealized" portrait of Don Felipe de Neve, dressed in historical costume with long cape, gloves and boots (a composite of the type of uniform worn by 18th Century Spanish officers). He is depicted standing, with hat cradled near his waist in his proper left hand; his proper right hand at his side. He turns his head slightly to the proper left. The sculpture is mounted on a natural rock base.
Subject:
Portrait male -- Neve, Don Felipe de -- Full length
History -- United States -- California
Object Type:
Outdoor Sculpture -- California -- Los Angeles
Sculpture
Owner:
Administered by City of Los Angeles, Cultural Affairs Department, Public Art Division, 433 South Spring Street, 10th floor, Los Angeles, California 90013
Located El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument, West side of plaza, 845 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, California
Remarks:
The sculpture, honoring the founder of Los Angeles, cost $10,000. It was commissioned in 1929 by the Native Daughters of the Golden West. Its dedication was scheduled to coincide with the City's 150th anniversary on Sept. 4, 1931; however, because of work delays, it was not dedicated until March 1932. The sculpture was originally located in an 1873 fountain in the center of the Plaza, facing the Plaza Church. The plaza site is where de Neve reportedly stuck his sword into the ground to locate the city. The sculpture was originally controversial, because it was felt the boulder base was too plain, and the statue should have a "proper" pedestal base.
IAS files contain articles from Los Angeles Times, May 29, 1931; March 11, 1932; and March 13, 1932; and transcript of Municipal Arts Commission Minutes, Feb. 18, 1931; Feb. 25, 1931, March 11, 1931; April 30, 1931, July 29, 1931, Aug. 5, 1931, and Aug. 19, 1931. IAS files also contain copy of Municipal Art Department Inventory form; and excerpts from Merrill A. Reed's "Historical Statues and Monuments in California;" Nancy Dustin Wall Moure's "Painting and Sculpture in Los Angeles, 1900-1945," Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1980; and Michael Several's "The Public Art of Los Angeles, Part I," 1991.
Condition:
Surveyed 1994 December. Treatment needed."
TITLE: Don Felipe de Neve
ARTIST(S): Henry Lyon
DATE: 1931
MEDIUM: Bronze sculpture on a stone base
CONTROL NUMBER: IAS IAS 75000639
Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link]
PHYSICAL LOCATION:
Located El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument West side of plaza
845 North Alameda Street
Los Angeles, California
DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH:
NONE
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