Sculpture of the Exposition Palaces and Courts: Descriptive Notes on the Art of the Statuary at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, San FranciscoJames, Juliet Helena Lumbard
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Sculpture of the Exposition Palaces and Courts: Descriptive Notes on the Art of the Statuary at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, San Francisco
James, Juliet Helena Lumbard
Panama-Pacific International Exposition (1915 : San Francisco, Calif.); Sculpture
At the top of the Column of Progress where the sea-wind blows thru his
locks, stands the Adventurous Bowman, the symbol of achievement. At the
base of the column are seen figures representing the progress of men
thru life. We watch them file past, but it is with this man of splendid
daring, of consummate achievement, that we are most concerned. He has
striven and has reached the top. He has only just pulled the chord of
his bow, and his arrow has sped on. With confident eye he looks to see
it hit the mark. The laurel wreath and palm of victory await his
efforts.
Pan
Sherry Fry, Sculptor
You cannot look upon this little figure without feeling that he is
inimitably charming. Pan, a god of the woodland, the symbol of the
festive side of the Exposition, sits among the shrubs in front of
Festival Hall. He has selected a marble capital on which to sit - quick
reminder of those classic days when he roamed the Greek glades. Over the
cold seat he has spread his fawn-skin. He has just been moving his lips
over the pan-pipes, but a rustle among the leaves has caused him to
pause in his melody. In the grass he sees a lizard which is as intent on
Pan as Pan is on him. Care-free Pan with pointed ear and horned brow, we
love thee, for dost thou not give us all our jollity and fun, the tonic
for our daily walks!
Air
Robert Ingersoll Aitken, Sculptor
Robert Ingersoll Aitken has added to the cosmical meaning of the Court
of the Universe his four elements - monumental, horizontal compositions
of pronounced decorative effect. Air is the one of finest poetic
feeling. She holds the star to her ear and listens to the music of the
spheres. The eagle, the symbol of the air, is used with finely balanced
effect. On her back are fastened wings, and man, puny man, is aiming, by
attaching wings to himself, to overcome her - a subtle suggestion of
airships.
The Signs of the Zodiac
Herman A. MacNeil, Sculptor
One of the loveliest gems of beauty in the Court of the Universe is
Herman A. MacNeil's cameo frieze of gliding figures. In the centre,
with wings outstretched, is Atlas, mythologically the first astronomer.
Passing to left and right glide maidens, two and two, carrying their
symbols - for these are the signs of the zodiac. These maids are the
Hyades and Pleiades, the fourteen daughters of Atlas. It is as if the
figures of some rare old Greek vase had suddenly distributed themselves
along the top of the great piers. For absolute refinement, for a certain
old Greek spirit in the Court of the Universe, these reliefs could not
be excelled.
The Fountain of Ceres
Evelyn Beatrice Longman, Sculptor
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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