The Sun Vow c. 1898 - 1901

Hermon Atkins MacNeil created this bronze sculpture, "The Sun Vow," at the turn of the 20th century. It depicts a Native American elder guiding a young man as he shoots an arrow towards the sun. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, there was a popular fascination with Native American culture, often romanticized and misunderstood. MacNeil, like many artists of his time, drew inspiration from these themes, yet in his case, it was informed by his own experience living among the Hopi people. The sculpture embodies the period's complex relationship with Native American communities. On the one hand, it reflects a desire to commemorate their traditions, but on the other, it often did so through the lens of Western ideals and stereotypes. MacNeil's work, while seemingly honoring Native American customs, also subtly reinforces the power dynamics of the time, where the dominant culture sought to define and interpret the traditions of marginalized groups. Understanding the historical context of this artwork requires delving into archival research. By looking into the artist's biography, and exploring the writings of the period, we can better understand the complex cultural landscape that gave rise to the image.