Seventeen feet tall they stand. Bronze giants astride powerful steeds. This is the Equestrian Indians Sculpture in Chicago’s Grant Park.
These magnificent figures are more than just statues. They are gatekeepers. They guard the entrance to Congress Plaza. Their presence is commanding. Their history is rich and complex.
Created by the renowned Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović these bronze horsemen were installed in 1928. Funding came from the Benjamin Ferguson Fund. Meštrović initially considered depicting a cowboy and an Indian. He ultimately chose two Native Americans. He felt this better symbolized the tribes who once roamed the Illinois prairies. The sculptures were actually cast in Zagreb Croatia. Despite their imposing size the horses resemble breeds from his homeland more than classic American prairie mounts.
Meštrović intended for the figures to evoke the vitality of Chicago. They stand on eighteen-foot granite pedestals designed by architects Holabird & Roche. The total height of each sculpture is a breathtaking thirty-five feet.
Interestingly both figures are missing their weapons. A bow and arrow for one a spear for the other. Many believe they were stolen or removed. The reality is far more intriguing. The sculptor intentionally omitted the weapons. He wanted viewers to focus on the musculature of the men and horses. The headdresses and the flowing manes and tails. He left the weapons to the imagination.
In more recent times the Equestrian Indians Sculpture has become a subject of discussion. Some criticize the romanticized portrayal of Native Americans. In 2021 the Chicago Monuments Project assessed the sculptures. They were ultimately deemed historically and artistically significant. The project recommended recontextualization rather than removal.
So stand here and gaze upon these powerful figures. Consider their history their artistry their ongoing presence in Chicago’s landscape. They are a testament to a time and a vision. They are a conversation waiting to happen. They are the Equestrian Indians Sculpture. And they are here to stay.