The Sculpture and Mural Decorations of the Exposition: A Pictorial Survey of the Art of the Panama-Pacific international exposition — John Shaqi
The Sculpture and Mural Decorations of the Exposition: A Pictorial Survey of the Art of the Panama-Pacific international expositionPerry, Stella G. S. (Stella George Stern)
General
The Sculpture and Mural Decorations of the Exposition: A Pictorial Survey of the Art of the Panama-Pacific international exposition
Perry, Stella G. S. (Stella George Stern)
Panama-Pacific International Exposition (1915 : San Francisco, Calif.); Sculpture, American
Another evidence of the charm of outdoor installation is seen in Miss
Scudder's Fountain of the Fighting Boys, so beautifully placed, with the
waters in actual play, in the Peristyle Walk about the Fine Arts Palace.
The original of this little fountain is owned by the Art Institute of
Chicago. There can be no doubt that this fight is without rancor; the
faces of the cherubic contestants are so gay and good-natured that only
the determined little tug of the hair, the business-like pressure of
chubby knee upon knee, the uncertain possession of the big fish that is
the cause of contention, makes us see that a battle is raging. The boys
fight merrily, evidently enjoying both the contest and the downpour of
water that complicates it. An unexpected accidental beauty has been
added to this and all the Exposition fountains. Some colorful substance
in the water that plays upon them has given soft touches of the same
rich ochre tone that appears in the columns. This increases the
effectiveness and takes away the appearance of boldness or newness,
substituting a weather-beaten and permanent aspect. When long spires of
flowers are in bloom and reflect their beauty in this little fountain
pool, the gayety and loveliness of the spot are entrancing.
Duck Baby
Garden Exhibit, Colonnade
The contagious mirth of "The Duck Baby," a garden figure by Edith
Barretto Parsons, is irresistible. This plump little image of good cheer
conquers the most serious; every observer breaks into answering chuckles
as this smile-compelling small person, holding fast her victims, beams
upon them. The frieze of busy ducklings on the pedestal base adds to the
amusing impression. This figure makes such a universal appeal that
thousands of postal card pictures and amateur photographs by exposition
visitors have been sent in a steady stream throughout the land,
scattering the Duck Baby's good cheer far and wide ever since the
Exposition opened. In the presence of so much that is weighty and
powerful, this popularity of the "Duck Baby" is significant and touching
indication of the world's hunger for what is cheerful and mirth
provoking. Another well-liked and winsome work with a chubby baby figure
at its center is "The Bird Bath" by Caroline Risque, in which a lovable
baby, with an expression of the tenderest sympathy, holds a little bird
to his breast.
Muse Finding the Head of Orpheus
Garden Exhibit, Colonnade
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