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Cameron Camilleri
Mrs. Futhey
English 150
23 March 2016
The Mystery of The Petersons Panthers
Iowa State takes pride in its exquisite and frankly priceless art sculptures. From the
Fountain of Four Seasons, to the Farm House Museum a walk through campus is a living cultural
center. There are over 2,000 art pieces throughout the 1,795 acres here at Iowa State ("Art On
Campus Collection & Program."). The Petersons Panthers after having been lost at war is now
placed on central campus as one of
Iowa States most highly sought after
pieces. Their symbolism of a stronger
community allow social groups such
as Iowa nice to thrive in the manner
they are. Originally a donation to
Iowa State, Petersons Panthers bring
the community closer together. His Panthers brought

Original photo of panthers

taken my Christian Petersons
Wife

together the last piece of the puzzle on the epic search for Mr. Christian Petersons ancient
sculptures.
Art on Campus is an organization developed in 1980 specifically to bring more art to
campus. Iowa State Targeted one specific artist. His name was Christian Peterson and he was
born February 25, 1885 in Denmark ("University Museums."). After becoming a die cutter

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apprentice he started to create his own sculptures. Before the panthers met Iowa States campus
they were standing guard at the entry way of a man named Charles J. Davols house ("University
Museums."). The Panthers were facing opposite directions at this point. During World War 2 the
house was taken and used as a Naval Base ("University Museums."). After being stolen by the
same intruders it was a man hunt for the next clue of the ware bouts of the Panthers. Could these
panthers symbolize something more to the naval officers? Or could they have simply been used
for scrap?
In 1920 Mr. Peterson created his famous Bronze Panthers. The sculpture itself is two
pieces. The bronze materials brings out the ominous beauty of each of the panthers. Their current
placement amongst the shadow of the trees is an art piece of its own. Small rocks line the walk
way through the exhibit. The Panthers are male and female. Before closer inspection experts
would refer to the panthers as just felines ("University Museums.".), due to the incapability to
depict if in fact they truly were Panthers and not female Tigers.
The next hint came from Mr. Tim Cranston ("University Museums) Mr. Cranston was on
the hunt for another priceless sculpture. Both were inherited by a young man named Charles
Davol. Charles owned around a thousand acers near the Narragansett Bay. This estate was named
Wildacres ("University Museums."). A very fitting place for these panthers to be forgotten in.
The area thrived as a working farm but also a private hunting ground for years before Mr.
Davols death April 11, 1937. At this time there was little known about the Panthers actual
location. For many years the Panthers seemed more and more elusive.
Also it was later discovered that the female Panther has one paw heavily planted on a
doe. Both Panthers stand on one to three huge slabs of white rock. A unique feature to this piece
is how the bronze is sculpted to have the does neck hang off the rock. Note the crouched

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defensive pose of the female panther. Also the shear length of the sculpture itself. Its tail almost a
half the size of its body. Her ears are slicked back as if something spooked her. The paw that is
placed on the doe is spread to show her sharp claws. She stands two rocks below the opposing
male. The male has a nasty growl on his face. It could be said that the male is hungry. Thus
loathing the opposing females kill. The male is also hunched a little more forward then the
female. His posture speaks clearly of his attack mentality. The males ears are also pointed
straight back. Both the Panthers are sculpted to show their lean body tone. Each of the sculptures
are facing one another, almost like they know each other.
The Art on campus organization got an email in January 2010. It was the very ecstatic
Tim Cranston informing Lynette
Pohlman he had finally located the
Naragansett Indian head. Although
he was still unsure where the
Panthers could be, he informed the
organization that the panthers had
been sold at Skinners auction in

Panthers on central campus

Boston ("Christian Petersen (Danish-American, 1885-1961). From there it was a race to find
the prized pieces. With a little more research it was discovered that they had been sold as
mascots to Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont ("University Museums."). After a
substantial alumni funding the Panthers arrived on to Iowa States campus. Finally ending the
search for the long awaited sculptures.
The Panthers are strategically placed just a few yards away from another sculpture called
forward, by William King. This sculpture is made out of twelve people who are tightly grouped

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together. From the front and rear of the sculpture it is hard to depict that there are multiple people
("Iowa State Collections - Iowa State University."). This helps depict the similarity of students
here at Iowa State. Some could see these people as nomads barley missing Petersons panthers
layer. The Panthers on the other hand seem to symbolize something a little different. They are
more focused on the strength that it takes get through college. The doe resembles the
determination it takes to achieve your goals. The female
panther helps to show that man and women are created
equal. That they are both strong beings. When this piece
finally reached Iowa State it shows the school responsibility

to

its students. It took the school ten years to find one single
piece of art work. To some this could be seen as a promise
that there will always be an adviser to help with questions

Forward William King

about the future. This art piece also shows the fighting spirt

of

the Cyclones.
The Peterson panthers were the most elusive piece of art the campus has to offer.
However now that it sits proudly on central campus Iowa States has connected the past with the
present. Giving students now and in the future a glance back at marvels made before many were
born. The panthers spark a symbol from independence and strength throughout the school. They
also show determination and dedication is a key strength by the depiction of the females kill.
These panthers stood the test of time and now hide once again, awaiting a jogger or cyclist to
cross its path.

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Work Cited

"University Museums." University Museums. Lea Rosson DeLong, 23 Mar. 2016. Web. 23 Mar.
2016.

"Christian Petersen (Danish-American, 1885-1961)." University Museums. N.p., n.d. Web. 23

Mar. 2016.

"Art On Campus Collection & Program." University Museums. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2016

"Iowa State Collections - Iowa State University." Iowa State Collections - Iowa State University.
N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2016.