Frozen in time, French explorer Daniel Greysolon, Sieur Du Luth, points the way to Lake Superior from his place in Ordean Court. The sculpture was built in the early 1960s in Pietrasanta, Italy, by world-renowned artist Jacques Lipchitz. Following the instructions set out in the will of Albert L. Ordean, which requested and funded the sculpture, Lipchitz created the sculpture from bronze. Not knowing what Greysolon looked like, however, Lipchitz was forced to create his image from fact.
Since Du Luth played a critical role in being a mediator between the Lake Superior Ojibwe and French traders, Lipchitz decided to depict him in a mix of these cultures. In this sculpture, Du Luth is seen wearing a wearing a traditional American Indian jacket with a French hat.
When the 9-foot-tall sculpture was completed, in honor of Du Luth’s travel to the North Shore, it was shipped along the Saint Lawrence Seaway. This was the same route Du Luth took himself when coming to Minnesota 280 years ago. It was unveiled to the public on Nov. 5, 1965. It is 9 feet tall, and on its base stands a full 18 feet high.
BY ANNE KUNKEL CHRISTIANSON kunke063@d.umn.edu