The Puritan (work of art)
Artwork Info
Key Ideas
- This bronze sculpture is a smaller version of a much larger statue. The original work is more than eight feet tall. It was made to honor Samuel Chapin, one of the early settlers and founders of Springfield, Massachusetts.
- Augustus Saint-Gaudens was an American sculptor in the 1800s. He was famous for making realistic statues for public spaces, and his work helped shape American sculpture.
- Saint-Gaudens did not know what Chapin actually looked like. Instead of making a true portrait, he created a figure that shows what he believed a Puritan stood for.
Learn More
Augustus Saint-Gaudens was a well-known American artist in the 1800s. He sculpted lifelike statues of presidents, military leaders, and other important people. His sculptures often showed people as both realistic and heroic, which influenced many artists who came after him.
The Puritan was originally made as a large monument to honor Deacon Samuel Chapin, one of the founders of Springfield, Massachusetts. Because there were no pictures or written descriptions of Chapin, Saint-Gaudens did not try to copy his appearance. Instead he made a figure that represents the idea of a Puritan.
Puritans were English Protestants in the 1600s who believed the Church of England needed to be reformed. They wanted to remove traditions they felt were not based on the Bible. Many Puritans came to America to build communities focused on faith, hard work, simple living, and helping one another. These values had a strong influence on early American life, especially in New England.
The sculpture of The Puritan at the NCMA is about one-third the size of the original monument. Because the original statue was so popular, Saint-Gaudens made many smaller versions. The full-size sculpture is more than eight feet tall. It still stands today in Merrick Park in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Additional Resources
Resources for Teachers
- Watch a PBS documentary about Saint-Gaudens.
- Review a history lesson plan that explores religion and literacy in colonial New England.
Resources for Students
- View examples of other works by Saint-Gaudens at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Read an article about the artist from the National Park Service.
Images
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The Puritan