Ponce de Leon
Painting by Frank R. Harper

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Ponce de Leon detail
detail detail
detail: back detail: label
detail: signature
detail: back
Frank R. Harper (b. 1908)
Ponce de Leon
American
Oil on canvas
22.5 x 18 inches
Signed lower left: F.R. Harper
Old label verso: Ponce de Leon
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Historical painting showing the explorer Ponce de Leon, resting on one knee beside a spring in a lush Florida forest, tasting the water from what he hopes is the legendary fountain of youth. Three Spanish explorers from his group and a Native American guide look on as he brings the cup to his lips.

Juan Ponce de León (1460-1521) discovered the southeastern portion of North America in 1513, including Florida. His first voyage of discovery was on Columbus' second voyage. He obtained permission to go to Puerto Rico in 1508, and was appointed governor for a brief period of time. At this time stories circulated concerning the existence of a spring whose waters would restore to youth and vitality to those who drank them. The Spaniards believed that this fountain was located on an island called Bimini and in 1513, Ponce set sail from Puerto Rico, having obtained authorization from the king of Spain to look for Bimini. On Easter Sunday, he spotted a coastline which he named Florida in honor of the lush vegetation and of the day, which in Spanish is called Pascua de Flores (Easter of Flowers). He landed at a spot to the north of the present site of St. Augustine and formally took possession in the name of the crown. Next, he headed southward along the coast to its southern extremity and then northward along the west coast before returning to Puerto Rico, although without finding gold or the "fountain of youth" he was looking for. He returned to the Florida coast in 1521, but his attempt to build a settlement was thwarted by a fierce attack by the natives. He sailed to Cuba, where he died of the wound which he had received in the battle.

Frank Robert Harper was an artist from Grand Rapids, Michigan, best known as an illustrator. He joined the staff of the Detroit Free Press in 1935 and later worked as a designer for General Motors in the 1940s. He also wrote two children's books.

References:

Falk, Peter Hastings, ed. Who Was Who in American Art. Madison, Connecticut: Sound View Press, 1985, p. 263.

Fuentes, Ventura. "Juan Ponce de León." The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume XII. Robert Appleton Company: 1911. Online Edition: Kevin Knight, 2003. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12228a.htm (28 April 2003).