The Puritan by Augustus Saint-Gaudens

Often antagonistic to Christianity, H.L. Mencken once defined Puritanism as, “The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.” Looking at the stern figure depicted in this month’s selection, perhaps Mencken was right. What does the piece say about Puritanism? What does it communicate about Christianity in general and Puritanism in particular?

First, a little background is in order. Following the Civil War, the United States experienced rapid economic growth material prosperity in a period of time called the Gilded Age. The influx of capital gave opportunity for patronage of the arts. Wealthy families commissioned artists to produce patriotic works celebrating the lives of historical heroes. Because of the quantity and quality of works produced, these decades are called the American Renaissance in art.

Art historians consider Augustus Saint-Gaudens the greatest of 19^th century American sculptors. His major public sculptures are found in parks of cities such as Boston, New York, and Chicago. He also created designs for U.S. coins at the request of President Theodore Roosevelt.

A railroad tycoon from Springfield, Massachusetts commissioned Saint-Gaudens to sculpt a family ancestor who helped found the Puritan town. Although the statue was to represent a particular historical figure, Saint-Gaudens developed the statue as an idealization of Puritans. Because of the popularity of the piece, Saint-Gaudens allowed about thirty small-scale reproductions to be cast and sold. The reproduction owned by the St. Louis Art Museum formed part of the exhibition viewed during the 1904 World’s Fair.

What is the message of The Puritan? What first strikes you about the figure? He stands upright with one foot forward and one arm outstretched. He carries a staff in one hand and a book in the other. His cape flows out from his body, and he wears clothing representative of the period. There are pine branches by his feet, depicting the wilderness from which Springfield was carved.

Truth be known, the sculpture accurately represents what most people picture when they think about Puritans. Saint-Gaudens’ Puritan follows the same idea as the cranky Puritans of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. However, I would contend that neither Saint-Gaudens nor Hawthorne really understood the actual Puritans of American history.

The Puritan depicts a stern-faced figure, full of fortitude but lacking an expression of joy. However, the historical record shows the Puritans were known for their joyfulness, cheer, and zest for life. True, they were sober and reflective. However, in their homes, church, and workplace the Puritans sought to live out their confession – “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” They practiced the enjoyment of life through the acknowledgement of God in all things.

The picture of joyless Puritans runs deep in the mind of people. I doubt we will ever overturn this view. But what about our own Christian testimony? Are we known for being cranky and joyless? My friends, these things ought not be so. Sobriety is no excuse for moroseness.

Another interesting aspect of The Puritan is the depiction of a self-confident man. Certainly the Puritans are rightly known for their work ethic, thrift, and ability to improve their material condition. However, in contrast to the figure in the sculpture, Puritans viewed material improvement as divine blessing – grace. They probably would have been put off by the exaltation of self found in the sculpture. Where is the recognition of God in the face of this man? He walks confidently because he is sure of himself.

According to a George Barna poll of professing Christians, over half believe that the Bible teaches that “God helps those who help themselves.” Puritans preached against idleness and praised diligent labor. However, Puritans celebrated divine grace and rejected attitudes of self-sufficiency. In the fruit of our labors, is there the sweet aroma of gratitude toward God, or do we produce an air of being self-made?

Finally, did you notice that the man is holding a book? This speaks of literacy and learning, and is a historically accurate depiction of the Puritans. The first printing press arrived in 1638, and by the end of the century Boston had emerged as a publishing center of the world. In one American colony alone there were over 100 graduates of Oxford and Cambridge. The settlers quickly founded Harvard college because they did not want to find themselves without trained and educated pastors.

What type of book is in the hand of the Puritan? We do not know. However, the historical record of the Puritans shows their primary motivation for literacy was that their children be able to read the Scriptures for themselves. As heirs of the Protestant Reformation, the Puritans emphasized the final sufficiency of Scripture in all matters of faith and practice. All Christians were to read and study the Scriptures for themselves, and to guide their lives by the truth contained therein. Do we value education chiefly because it allows for growth in the knowledge of God?

In closing, I think The Puritan is a good piece, even if it does perpetuate some misconceptions about the real American Puritans. We would all be enriched through further study on the Puritans. Let me recommend an excellent book by Leland Ryken called Worldly Saints: The Puritans As They Really Were. After reading through this book, an excellent project would be to create a new piece of art depicting the Puritans in a more historically accurate framework. Send me a picture of your creation, and I will see about getting them put on the internet for all to enjoy. Until next month, remember to glorify God by pursuing truth, goodness and beauty in all you do.

Note: Next month we will be looking at The Country School by Winslow Homer.

W. Scott Lamb is a pastor with Providence Baptist Church in South St. Louis County, MO. He and his wife Pearl enjoy the challenges and pleasures of raising their four sons. Feel free to contact Scott at www.pbcstlouis.com.