The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-04
A MAGNIFICENT MEDALLION.

Captain Dc Csr00t's Bronze Vanderbilt
Mcdal-An American Work of Art.
The richest bronze medallion ever designed In
this country is now on exhibition at 391 Broadway.
1t weighs 1000 pounds, is five feet in diameter
and bears lifesize figure in vgnette style, Of Com
modore Vanderbilt 1t took the designer over
eighteen months TO complete the work. and the re-
suit OF hts proracted labOrs IL that he has added
bold ana massive contribution TO American art,
passing, in harmonious design, in delicate exccu-
ton and general treatment anything OF the kind
known. TO cast bronze five feet In diameter
composed OF solid metal SO that tile impress Will
relieve all The delicate arteries ana tissues OF the
human face. IL no easy task; but In this case Gap
tain De Groot has achieved triumph
The central figure Is the likeness Of the Commo-
dore III bas relief, on raised medallion As faltn
fully representing the features Of the great moueyed
king, his friends declare it to be perfect Certain 1t
fully studied, that the forehead is prominent
and modelled in accurate outlines, and that the
moulded with success. In the foreground are two
figures IN repose one figure OF an Indian In nezzO
reero. over whom rooe has been placed careless
y, disclosing the line physique OF superb chest and
the limbs OF the athlete Of the forest The face IS
Swallowed by an expression OF wonderful fidelity to
the copper-colored nomad, and the entire figure
realizes The personality Of North American Indian.
TO the rishG Is the figure Of sailor. almost di0
reteuo, with his arm embracing sextant with a
SAILORS hat, jaun,y tie bent with a square knot,
and all the traditional embiems OF the old salt The
face Is intensified by an expression OF proud
the artist. Both OF these figures embrace tne medal
lion Of the Commodore In the centre their hands
resting on the circumference Of the outer rim.
The foreground IL filed in with flowers, the to-
bacco plants and blossoms, tomahawk placed In
| the different sections to produce the harmony
sought. In the lett background are locomotives
and cars, the former bearing the OmnOus lnscrip-
| tion vanderbilt" the far distance s primitive
| forest, through which passes the matted pathway
| OF the iron horse Among the triumphs commemo-
rated none has been more fttngly symb0lized than
the marine achievements OF the Commodore. The
steamers Vanderbilt and North Star, rugged and
equipped, with tOpsalls beylng out to windward,
pennant flying and Dackstays and spars IN position
Tor stir breeze, occupy the right background.
Clouds rest over the whole. In looking at the me-
dalton as work OF the difficulties In execution
must be considered, for they are innumerable aud
almost insurmountable. Notwithstanding the figures
clear and bold, the allegory suggestive and wei
defined, and the history symboized US faithfully as the
nature OF art will allow Long will TINS gem
alter its designer and the subject 1t commentaries
shall have persisted from the memory OF man. IL
was modelled by Il. llassman and cast by Fisher
Brothers and will be placed in the new depot AZ
FCrty-s ecOud street anu Fourth avenue.