The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-02
TIE VANDERBILT BRONZE.

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Erection Of a Colossal Statue and AlIesoricai
Bass-Reiief in Honor Of the Railroad
King.
Yesterday afternoon party Of gentlemen, includ
ing numerous representatives Of the press visited
by invitation of Captain Degr0ot the freight depot
Of the Hudson River Railroad, in st. Johns square,
to inspect the great work called the Vanderbilt
bronze, which surmOunts the main front OF the
building. The labor Of elevatIng and finishing the
bronze design occupied seven weeks and was carried
on inside a frame covering by party OF skilled
w0rkmen under the supervision Of Captain
Degroot Yesterday afternoon 1t stood com.
pleted, needing but few touches to the
framework OF masonry on top to render
1t ready critical inspection of the public. The
freight depot building of vast dimensions,
ering the entire site Of what formerly St. Johns
square. The monotony in the long outline Of the
summit win be impressively relieved by this huge
and magnificent ornament of bronze, illustrating
the entire history Of Commodore vanderblit's life,
with colossal statue Of the hero as centre piece,
Nothing in this country or IN Europe Of similar
idea OF writing man'slife IN bronze was originally
conceived about two years ago by Captain Albert
the builder OF the Prescott House. on Broad
way and the former cHmmap HGso the
ings were executed they were laid before commit
tee Of the leading citizens OF New York, TO whom
Captain Degro0t fully explained his plan. The pro-
ject was received with enthusiasm, and the large
sum needed to carry II out was speedily subscribed.
admirers OF the Commodore, and to give an idea OF
what mighty metal monument they desired to
ono 20 s evoe 1n 70 a Sef oVer
The services Of Ernest Plassman, one OF the most
skiful artists in the country were secured by Cap
pended in building foundry for the purpose Of
making the required castings, two experienced
been engaged to superntend this part OF the work.
As hrst planned the design was only thirty feet IN
mnd Of &c CapaSn peSroo until at last his grand
conception nad unf0lded to more than five times Its
original sze After ten months OF faithful labor the
models were all completed Ia the most approved
manner by Ernest PlassDan, OF this city.
In September last the arduous task Of casting the
work IN square sections of manageable size was
begun and successfully completed by the Fischer
Brothers. A strong scatfodlng having been erected
and carefully enclosed the various parts OF the work
were securely boxed up transported to the depot
and hOisted to the roof, where they were duly
m aned
more than 1000 In numberS aud weighing above four
tons.
perfect az the hand Of art could make them. rhe
strictest surveillance was exercised In excluding
and all interference with the operations Of the
workmeu was thus avoided. Watchmen we're EN-
Gsvf IN tSe as s III ana In fact sacS degree
Of secrecy was observed THAT the public knew moth
ing Of the mighty triumph o. gt U&k was oeing
achieved within the walls OF the foundry. Ill.
This great work covers area Of 3l25 square
feet measures about $50 feet straight line and
pounds and cost. as nearly as can be ascertalned,
over $500, 900. 1t consists OF an immense bronze
statue Of Commodore Vanderbilt, placed In the
centre of colossal Dass-relie which Is ngenlously
contrlved not only to Illustrate the career and
achievements OF the Commodore. but also to repre-
sent the marvellous Inventions Of the nineteenth
century, and at the same time to portray aegOri-
cally the growth aud prosperity Of the great Amer
can republic.
Some facts may be set down which will convey
slight conception OF the grandeur Of work which
VIII soon be unveiled to public gaze amid tne cer ERE
In the world. the base line upon which the bass
relief Is erected Is narrow tier OF blue stone. In
the centre just beneath this and soiidy inesrted In
the depot wall. is huge carved block OF granite
weighing eleven tons. On this rests bronze
pedestal five feet square, one and hail feet high
and bearing the Inscription, Erected 1857 on
this pedestal, within spacious arched recess,
stands the statue. This Is twelve feet high, nearly
solid weighs four tons, and Is the largest in America,
II not In the world IL represents the Commodore
with head uncovered' and wearing q heavy FUR
trimmed 0vercOat. his left foot slightly ADVANCED
his right hand inserted beneath his vest and his LETT
somewhat extended The countenance Is benign,
and the attitude easy and dgniued. AS likeness,
it is extraordinarily faithful not alone as far as the
features concerned buC also in the general out
line OF the figure. which assumes that particular
pose familiar to those who have ever happened TO
observe the Commodore occupying the central figure
of group the sidewalk Of Broad street. Mr..
Passman, the sculptor may well be congratulated
on this triumph of his skill az an artist.
The relief is ten high at the ends and is
slopes gradually upward fof about one-thrd the
length from each extremity, turns suddenly up.
runs along horizontally ana finally forms an arch IN
the centre over the statue. The middle portion OF
the cOrnlce is decorated with ornamental work IN
Dronze Tie bass-relief Is terminated at each end
by massive scrollwork representing leaves and
plants
on the right hand. between the statue and the
SCROLL Ia represented the COmmodOre's marine life,
and on the left his railroad life At the right hand,
| In the foreground. appears in reclining position
Neptune, with flowing beard, wreath OF leaves on
| his head, his right hand grasping rudder, sea-
monster rising from the water at his feet ana rae
| coon peering around the corner OF the rocks on
| which he rests In the background at the right
arise the forest-crowned Palisades Of the Hudson,
then lighthouse seen, and then appears, rocking
on the waves OF bronze, the bred, the little two.
| masted 'perryaugur," In which, half century ago.
| young Mr.. Vanderbilt carried passengers from New
York to Staten Island at twenty-five cents head.
Next comes, much greater In size, completely rio.
| ged and under full Roadway, the famous steamer
North star, in which the Commodore made his well
| remembered voyage round the world.
the steamer vanderbilt also completely rieged and
nese Three Vessels are initiated with ie accu
| racy and the astOnished spectator II Drought too
sees q BE- The ns
| paddle wheels In the middle foreground dock
appears on which are coils OF rope, bananas, pine
apples and other tropical fruits, huge and savage
| watch dog crouched on cotton bale, and, lastly,
next to the statue, massive capstan, anchor and
Neptune on the right Liberty. guardian OF the scene
sis erect with moving tresses and drapery her left
hand holding sword and her right arm resting on
the national shield, from behind which an eagle Is
| emerging. In the background rises woody slope
and in the front rude ience appears. and then two
cows one idly Whsking her tail and the other lying
| down. Back OF these an engine drawing train OF
six cars Is entering tunnel beneath forest COW
cred hill, and still further IN the rear Is gentle
| eminence crowned with villa. In the middle Of
| the foreground switchman, dag In hand. Is Just
stepping from the door OF his little house. Past this
| PUSHES the locomotive @. Vanderbilt drawing q
train Of cars out OF the depot, which appears In the
background next to the statue the bass relief itself
! picture within q picture-beng shown upon the
/ sammit.
The fidelity with which the perspective In railroad
| curve Is shown is really admirable Even TO those
gentlemen who yesterday stood face 10 face with the
work. on q scaffoding elevated fifty feet above the
sidewalk, the Illusion seemed perfect. or course at
the proper distance on the street from which the
design Will be viewed By the passing public for all
i fiIna viii filler and