How does this artwork elucidate its Symbolism of the Indians, reaper, blacksmith, and pioneer family?
The Indians symbolize where the state "Indiana" derives the state name, the positioning of the figures suggest that the land once belonged to them.From the east comes a new era with a farmer or reaper holding a metal sickle and a blacksmith with his apron and tools in hand depicting his trade. These two figures symbolize the skills needed to obtain and utilize the fruits of the new land.The Pioneer Family (man, woman, young boy, and young girl) also represents a new era and the westward expansion from the east. The man wears a buckskin shirt indicating his resourcefulness and adaptation to ways of the west and great plains region. In combination of the two figure groupings (Blacksmith and Pioneer Family) likely symbolize the growing expansion of the railroads from the east to the west.The National Park Service web page about the Statehouse says that "The sculptural program atop the portico is The Westward Journey. On the left side of the cornice ledge, Native Americans are forced west, while Euro-American pioneers enter from the east."
sickle National Park Service reaper American pioneer pioneer blacksmith Indiana Blacksmith portico