Washington was chosen as the site for the Capital of the United States because of its proximity to the geographical center of the country. Of course if that decision were being made today, a city named after another oft-admired president would fit the bill. Lincoln, Nebraska was named in 1867 after the recently assassinated President … Continue reading On Lincoln in Lincoln (Nebraska)
Tag: Daniel Chester French
Lincoln and the Republic in Chicago
A weekend trip to Chicago has allowed me to cross off two of one hundred or so things to see before you die, although for me I imagine there are 100 just in the windy city. Both items were sculptures and both by famed New York sculptors. The first was Abraham Lincoln by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. … Continue reading Lincoln and the Republic in Chicago
Four Hours in Round Top
Round Top, Texas, population 77, is about four hours from Dallas, although the Google map estimates it a little less. A Friday without any scheduled activities provided the reason, if there needed to be one, to head south for a first sojourn into Central Texas. The drive each way limited the time there, but a … Continue reading Four Hours in Round Top
The Sculpture of Prospect Park
Brooklyn's Prospect Park contains a wealth of sculptures by eminent artists including Augustus Saint Gaudens, Daniel Chester French, Frederick MacMonnies, and even Thomas Eakins. This ten-minute video provides a short tour. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AUWoWWSLAs&w=425&h=344
War and Crime — Honor Roll Monument at Prospect Park
From museum planet website, I learned that Arthur D. Pickering was the architect and Henry Augustus Lukeman designed the statue with Daniel Chester French as his associate. The veil on the face of the angle of the dead looks almost semi-transparent. But she does not look frightful. With her head tilted toward the solider and her wings gently curved over, the sentimental statue conveys protection and sympathy. [Read More...]
Three Views of the Four Continents
My first encounter with sculptures representing four continents, Africa, Asia, America and Europa, was in a San Francisco antique store. There were two large photos of sculpture that had been at the 1876 Philadelphia Exhibition. The photographs turned out to of sculptures made by Royal Doulton and displayed at the Exhibition. They are replicas of sculptures incorporated into the Royal Albert Monument in London. [Read more...]
Urban Art & Antiques 