The Outer Row of Horses
Of the 30 Horses, the outer row and center rows tell the stories of notable Virginians.
The Pocahontas Horse
Born about 1596, Pocahontas was her nickname, which depending on who you ask means “playful one" or “ill-behaved child.” Pocahontas was the favorite daughter of Powhatan, the formidable ruler of the more than 30 Algonquian-speaking tribes in and around the area that the early English settlers would claim as Jamestown, Virginia.
Postcard styling courtesy of L.D. Kirklin Photography.
Detail of Pocahontas horse. This horse has been painted with images of natural decoration like Tidewater Native tribes may have used- shells, beads, leather, fur, turkey feathers, and copper.
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
Detail of Pocahontas horse with portrait.
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
Detail of Pocahontas horse.
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
George Washington Horse- Born in Westmoreland County, Washington is best known as the first president of the United States. He served as a commander during the French and Indian War and became a beloved general during the American Revolution. When our country was founded, he was offered the role of king, but turned it down with the belief that a leader should be a public servant rather than a majestic monarch. Washington’s black and white Arabian horse, Nelson, carried him through many battles before he was retired to Mount Vernon.
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
George Washington Horse- saddle detail, portrait
This was among the first horses I painted in the project and hadn’t quite realized how much storytelling could be done on the saddle blankets and tack.
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
The Daniel Morgan Horse.
When selecting Virginians to portray on the horses, my mother insisted that I include on of her favorite Revolutionary War heroes. After Daniel Morgan passed away, Virginia and New Jersey fought for his body to be buried in their states. The debate was acted on during the Civil War, when Yankee soldiers attempted to exhume his remains and take him back to New Jersey.
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
The Daniel Morgan Horse, detail with portrait.
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
The Daniel Morgan Horse, detail with portrait.
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
Patrick Henry Horse- Born in Sudley, Hanover County and became the first governor of Virginia. He led a militia during the Revolutionary War and was a strong advocate of the Bill of Rights, fearing the Constitution gave the federal government too much power.
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
Patrick Henry Horse
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
Patrick Henry Horse- detail- giving his revolutionary speech at St Paul’s Episcopal: “Give me liberty or give me death!” His crowd of listeners shouted “To arms! To arms!”
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
Thomas Jefferson Horse- born in Shadwell, destined to become the third president of the United States, Jefferson was a great thinker and his accomplishments are numerable. He is credited with authoring the Declaration of Independence, founding the University of Virginia (as well as designing its architecture), settling the statute of Virginia for religious freedom, and a myriad of inventions. During his presidency, the US doubled with the Louisiana Purchase. His home, Monticello, reflects his love of architecture, philosophy, archaeology and botany.
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
Thomas Jefferson Horse- portrait with an architectural sketch of the rotunda style dome he implemented in many of his designs.
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
James Madison was born at Belle Grove plantation in Port Conway, Virginia in 1751. James Madison was an American statesman, lawyer, diplomat, philosopher and Founding Father who served as the fourth president of the United States from 1809 to 1817.
Postcard styling courtesy of L.D. Kirklin Photography.
James Madison Horse, portrait detail.
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
James Madison Horse detail- I highlighted a few events and contributions attributed to James Madison in the diamonds of the horse's tack. Three amendments to the Constitution, the 1814 burning of the White House during his presidency, a quill to represent his writing.
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
The Edgar Allan Poe Horse: Born 1809, Poe was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic. Poe is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales of mystery and the macabre. Though born in Boston, MA, he was taken in by John and Frances Allan of Richmond, Virginia when he was orphaned at a very young age. The Allan family's Moldavia estate, the Old Stone House, the oldest standing home in Richmond is in use as the Edgar Allan Poe Museum
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
The Edgar Allan Poe Horse detail portrait
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
Edgar Allan Poe horse detail: artistic interpretation of "The Masque of the Red Death."
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
Booker T. Washington Horse- Born 1856 in Hale's Ford, VA, Washington was an American educator, author, orator, and adviser to multiple presidents of the United States. He was from the last generation of black American leaders born into slavery and became the leading voice of the former slaves and their descendants.
Postcard styling courtesy of L.D. Kirklin Photography.
Booker T Washington Horse- saddle detail is a reference to his book “Working with the Hands”(1904), the sequel to his memoir “Up From Slavery”(1901). In these texts, Washington climbs the social ladder through hard, manual labor, a decent education, and relationships with great people.
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
Ella Fitzgerald Horse- Born in Newport News, VA in 1917, Fitzgerald was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the First Lady of Song, Queen of Jazz, and Lady Ella. She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, intonation, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing.
Postcard styling courtesy of L.D. Kirklin Photography.
Ella Fitzgerald Horse, saddle detail, portrait
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
Patsy Cline Horse- Patsy Cline was born in 1932 in Winchester, VA and is considered one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century and was one of the first country music artists to successfully cross over into pop music.
Postcard styling courtesy of L.D. Kirklin Photography.
Patsy Cline Horse
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
Patsy Cline Horse - detail: cowboy boots and hat
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008
Patsy Cline Horse- detail: “Walkin’ After Midnight” song lyrics put to paint.
Photograph courtesy of Gail Napora. C2008