Statue of Hernando de Soto, Spanish Plaza, Mobile

What it is

This is a photograph of a white stone statue of a bearded man in armour and a flowing cape, standing on a tall white pedestal in Spanish Plaza, Mobile, Alabama. A dark plaque is mounted on the pedestal, and trimmed hedges, trees and a brick path surround it. The Wikimedia Commons record is dated 2009 and credits the photograph to Altairisfar. The statue's own maker and date are not given in the facts.

Why it matters

This statue commemorates de Soto in a city in the United States, far from Spain and from the places where his expedition travelled. It shows that his story is still remembered and displayed in public spaces, and that different communities choose which parts of history to honour. The statue tells us about later memory, not about the expedition itself.

Look closer

• What details of the statue, such as the armour and cape, suggest how the figure is meant to be seen?
• What does the plaque say, and what might it tell you about why the statue was placed here?
• What does this memorial leave out, such as the Native peoples who were affected by the expedition?