Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1882-08-02
\ Washington Monument.

Sketches and plans of the model for
the great Washington Monument for
Philadelphia are now being executed at
Berlin by Professor Rudolph Siemerlng.
who, since the recent death Of Pro-
fessor Drake, is probably the foremost
sculptor of Germany. In November
last the contract was signed by Pro-
lessor SiemeriDg and the American
delegates, by the terms of which the
sculptor receives 594, 200 marks, or
$40, 900, tor executing this gleat work.
This sum also includes the expense for
the final erection of the complete monu-
ment at Philadelphia within ten years.
While completing the miniature model.
which received unbounded praise from
connoisseurs, Professor Siemering has
had large pavilion built, in addition
to his studio, under the glass roof of
which he is now engaged IN executing
the full size model for the colossal
equestrian statue, as we'll as the other
numerous figures and relieves of tn
monument, full description OF which
follows: All the dimensions of the
monument are of gleat size. Its sub
structure consists of huge stone ter
race, with two great steps, on the lower
of which all four sides are occupied by
bronze groups of human figures and
animals, all of them above lie size.
For the latter the most characteristic
species of American quadrupeds have
been selected-the deer, horse, bullock,
grizzly bear, buffalo, American panther,
&c. They are all in lying position,
and between each pair of them are
placed the human figures which repre-
sent an Indian warrior, an Indian squaw,
a river god and a goddess. These are
also in recumbent attitudes, with partly
raised upper bodies.
In the centre of the upper terrace
stands the pedestsl, which on an oval
platform bears the colossal, equestrian
statue of General Washington. both
horse and rider being twice the natural
size. The Father of HIS Country is
represented in the well-known uniform
and military cloak his head is turned
slightly TO the left, with keen glauce
OF the eyes toward distant point. In
his right hand he holds field glass
pressed against the thigh like q
mar halls staff. Pr rJfessor Siemering
has certainly admirably succeeded in
expressing Wsshington's chief charac-
teristics in the face as a great-minded
man and an intrepid military leader.
The large side panels of the pedestal are
filled by two bronze fiat relieves, with
numerous figures, representing on one
side the departure for the war and on
the other the return of the troops.
1he front and rear are occupied by two
other allegorical groups in high relieve,
or nearly full figure. The former re-
represents Liberty awakened and calling
up the sleepers for the defence OF their
menaced rights, and the latter shows
the blessings of a gloriously gained In
dependence In the figure of Victorious
Liberty, holding in her hands the sea-
governing trident and an overfowins
cornucopia, while the soldiers are
placing laurel wreaths and captured
flags at her feet. Professor Siemering
is native of Koenigsberg, in Eastern
Prussia, where he was born in 1885.
He expects to be present at the un,
yelling of his great work In PhIladel.
phIa in 1891.