An Art-Lovers Guide to the Exposition: Explanations of the Architecture, Sculpture and Mural Paintings, With a Guide for Study in the Art GalleryCheney, Sheldon
History
An Art-Lovers Guide to the Exposition: Explanations of the Architecture, Sculpture and Mural Paintings, With a Guide for Study in the Art Gallery
Cheney, Sheldon
Panama-Pacific International Exposition (1915 : San Francisco, Calif.)
The flower-box sculptures are by Ulric H. Ellerhusen-both those on the
ground and those at the corners of the boxes surmounting the peristyle.
The ladies on the latter, looking so steadily into the boxes, do not
represent "Curiosity." The plan was to have masses of foliage
overflowing, and half-covering the figures; and when this was given up,
the decorative women gave the unexpected impression of being deeply
absorbed in something happening out of sight of the spectator below. An
explanation which has gained some currency is that the figures represent
"Introspection," which seems quite apropos.
The kneeling figure (unnamed) on the edge of the lagoon before the
rotunda is by Ralph Stackpole. It is one of the most appealing bits of
all the Exposition sculpture, well expressing devotion and reverence. It
cannot be reached from the rotunda side, this portion of the shore being
closed to the public.
The figure over the doorway of the gallery is Leo Lentelli's
"Aspiration." During the early months of the Exposition this statue was
suspended from behind, the base on which it now stands having been
placed late in the Spring. As the figure first appeared, hanging in air,
it caused more comment than any other sculpture on the grounds. The most
appropriate explanation was that since the figure lacked any visible
means of support it probably was meant to represent "California Art."
Even the recent alterations have failed to save it from seeming
graceless and out of place.
Mural Paintings
The eight panels in the dome of the rotunda are by Robert Reid. There
are two series of four paintings each, called "The Birth and Influence
of Art," and "The Four Gold's of California." They form perhaps the
least interesting of the several groups of murals, being vague in
meaning, unpleasantly restless in composition, and only occasionally
attractive in coloring.
The easiest panel to identify is that called "The Birth of Oriental
Art," which is on the west wall, closest to the doorway of the main
building. Starting with this and following around the dome to the right,
the pictures are in this order:
1. The Birth of Oriental Art. A man in armor on a fanciful, dragon is
attacking an eagle, symbolizing man's effort to attain the inspiration
of the heavens. Below, China can be recognized in the man with a
brilliant colored robe, and Japan in the woman with the bright parasol.
2. Gold is symbolized by a woman with a wand, on a cornucopia
overflowing with gold.
3. The Ideals of All Art. The ideals which animate artists are shown:
Truth with her glass; Religion typified in the Madonna and child;
Beauty, with the peacock; and the Militant Ideal with a flag. Above and
below are figures carrying the wreath and the palm, the artist's tokens
of success in attaining the ideal.
4. Poppies, the second "gold" of California.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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