New-York tribune., 1873-05-19
ART. MUSIC AND DRAMA.
ART

.
ART.
ms srEnBus's FOUNTAIN AT TfF CEN MAJ IIAHA ,,
Some time in the Autumn of 1858 Ia Oolh
s,pers OF the Central Park accepted the desis TOT
Fountan TO be placed on the lower esplanade OF ""
sr.-race which had been presented by Miss Emm.
ebbips ~ New York The ARTIST prosecuted her work
goronsy and the different figures modelled during the
years 1854 Isce and sent as they finished
Erom her studio In Rome TO Munich, where they were
cast in bronze by Miller The war between France and
sermapy hindered the sending home of the work when
rst completed and the preparation OF the fountain.
Rasn and OF the architectural portions OF the fountain
atseR took ND moro time than had been allowed
xor so that not until last year that the statues
rived and the general upon the fountain only
been completed within few days Last saturday
tnr few persons assembled by invitation Ter
race the new fountain uncovered for the first
xmo and consult with the architects and with Miss
Etebbns herself the best way Of managing the ow
Of the water to produce perfect harmony as
ossbe between the fountain itself and the landscape
in which it is set The day lovely one and the
work OF the artist put TO a severe test in
haylng TO compete with the spendors Of a May
morning IN which IL was a luxury merely TO
Breathe and when art seemed idle superfuity Walk
ang the delicious carpet Of the thick
Etrown with dandelions-he flower OF poets and chill
renthe robins song and the sparows twitter IN or
EAR with the broad level of the lake rejecting the now
rng thckets Of the Ramble and the streaming azure OF
che sky and this picked company Of men and women the
ae Of all the scene. what place had art IN World 50
seeming perfect without other ornaments surely an
artist OF Miss stebbinss modesty and noble seifms-
gst must trembe we thought as she sees the work OF
30 many thoughtful hours unvailed with Nature Tor
kritio and criterion. But she had no great reason
Tor fear: her Fountain disturbed no harmones but took
Its quiet place quiet scene Us Il tet It's right 10 De
"A mart OF IL Those who best know the statuary in the
Park-leaving out Of the question Mr.. wards two
seces-knOw well what right public had 70 fear the
assue OF this new experiment. The frghtful Morse
100 the stupefying Scott two exasperatng remind
prs OF human incompetence-would have given the
commissioners pause. II they could have had their
krav. and indeed the whole public that knows and
rsres about matters OF would doubt De willing 70
lrc-ero having any more statues in the Park at all
rsther than suffer they have OF late Miss stebbius
has happily reaSured II is no longer necessary that
ever statue by an unfamiliar should be a bad
onel
The new fountain stands OF course. in the center Of
tAe large basin so familiar to all who know the Terrace
e architectural portion Of the design is simple enough
hut II has been carried out in such handsome materials
and with such excellent execution that Il is very elect
,vs cluster Of polished granite columns with bronze
caps and bases stands upon large pnth, with scup-
eured beveed edge. These columns support noble
basin Of polished granite, with lip Of bronze, between
which and the granite the water flows in thin vail from
ss ponoth into the lower pool In the Of this
granite basin is another column. about which stand four
aufante hlres supposed 10 typfy Temperance, Purity
Health and Peace; but the acgOry is Of slight import
anee and it is peasanrer think OF them little ch
reu frockng about the water Of them preparing
for plunge others having just emerged They stand
behind screen OF watery drops that trcke from the
highest basin Of all which s surmounted by the princ
a hgure-ihe main feature OF the fountain This Is al
angel with outsretched WINGS grt in long flowing robe
and with a uly-branch IN her left hand-the angel
who descended 70 trouble the the pool Of Be
hesda The ngure those who face IT, has the look Of
DESCENDING lightly however, the drapery is not up
borne hnt seen from either side, the figure appears
rather 20 be- advancing with quicness Of step. In
truth the angel Intentionally without Intention, Is
double mpersonatiOn-it s the angel who at certain
season down the pool aud troubled the water
andt Is Raphael the angel Of the AnnunciauOn, bear
fnr the lily who brings the message Of re-
scicing and causes the waters Of healing 10 how.
There Is no harm IN this mInglIng Of types,
bu it a. we'll 70 suggest % thinking It rather
add to The poetry the conception aud prevents TOO lit
r an Interpretation. In the treatment Of this angel
figure Mis- Sobbins has shown no originality perhaps
ibe figure In face is strongly suggestive OF Raphael
and seen either SIDE recalls the sweet action OF tho
entering angel in two three early Italian pictures Of
The Anuunca0n-but il there is not originality there
IS taste aud there Is elegance and little poetry IN
1he selection Of theme We grateful 70 have 50 much
ths ard congratulate the Commissioners and the
public on The success OF this undertaking. 50 important
10 the happy carrying OF the plan 0f the Terrace, in
Itself the most important decorative and social feature
OF the Ccutral Park.