2 -- Felipe de Neve

1932
Henry Lion
7'6"H

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History behind the Piece

In 1777, two years after he was appointed governor of both Baja and Alta California, Felipe de Neve (1727-84) inspected the territory and recommended the formation of agricultural settlements to support recently constructed presidios and reinforce Spanish claims to the region. To that end, he promulgated the Reglamento in 1779, which became the basic law governing California until Spanish rule ended in 1821. Under provisions relating to the formation of new towns, a mix of racial groups living in northern Mexico were recruited for a settlement along the Los Angeles River, which was known as the Porciuncula. In 1781 these pioneers first trekked to the San Gabriel Mission, where Neve had arrived earlier to draw up detailed plans for establishing the new community. Escorted by soldiers, they came in groups to the site over the summer. Finally on September 4, 1781, planting fields and house lots were distributed to the Pobladores--the 44 original settlers (26 of whom were of African descent)--officially beginning the new Pueblo de la Reina de los angeles.

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The Piece

Honoring the founder of Los Angeles this $10,000 monument by Henry Lion was commissioned in 1929 by the Native Daughters of the Golden West. Its dedication was scheduled to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Los Angeles on September 4, 1931. However, the completion of the work was delayed and it was not installed until March, 1932. The statue, originally facing the Plaza Church rather than east as it does now, stood at the center of the Plaza inside an 1873 fountain named in honor of Neve. As there are no known paintings or drawings of Neve, the bronze statue portrays an idealized and romantic portrait of him. The high boots and large gloves represent a composite of the type of uniform worn by 18th Century Spanish officers known as soldados de cuera or soldiers of leather.

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The Artist

Henry Lion (1900-1966), born and raised on a farm in Fresno, was the son of Armenian immigrants. From 1920 to 1924, he studied under Julia Bracken Wendt at the Otis Art Institute where he was judged the best student in the sculpture department. Lion's other works in Los Angeles are the doors to the Los Angeles City Hall, the eagle medallion on the Federal Courthouse and the Cabrillo statue in San Pedro, the Pioneer Fountain in Carthay Circle and the Power of Water fountain in Lafayette Park.