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Seafaring Nations - Portugal by Louis Saint-Gaudens
Photo CreditCarol M. Highsmith Photography
Seafaring Nations - Portugal
Photo CreditCarol M. Highsmith Photography

Seafaring Nations - Portugal

Artist
Year1907
Classification sculpture
Dimensions11 x 7 ft. (335.3 x 213.3 cm)
Location
  • Portugal is represented by a knight in armour, probably Prince Henry the Navigator.  Weighs 200 tons. The male figure of Portugal stands with his proper right foot slightly ahead of the proper left foot.  The figure is dressed in a coat of armor, as well as an elaborately carved "brocade" sleeveless overcoat. His hands meet in the space in front of his stomach, and rest on a copper-alloy sword.  Behind the figure there is a large fish, the tail is visible behind the figure's proper right, the head is visible behind the figure's proper left.  Below the fish's tail on the proper right are two (2) waves.  The sculpture is carved from two sections of Tennessee "marble" limestone.  The top carved stone section is slightly out of alignment with the bottom section.  This appears to be from the time of manufacture, as the proper right side is in closer alignment than the proper left side.  The alignment between the large carved stone section and the granite base is fairly regular around all sides.