Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-05
A NOBLE WORK OF ART.
The Great Lafayette MOnumept-Its
Character and Progress.


Special Correspondence of The EVENING STAR
PARIS. October 20, 1888.
The large sketch of the Lafayette monument
which Messrs. Falguiere and Mercier are making
for the United States Government, to be erected
in Washington. is in such state OF advance
ment that a very complete idea can be obtained
of its general character. The impression that
it gives at first view is the correct one, and q
careful study Of its composition continually
confirms this impression. 1t is large, hand.
so me, human structure, conceived and exc
cuted with patriotic art. Men like Falguiere and
MERCER naturally work for the fame of their
country more than for anything else. Truly
said, they work for that alone. The peculiar
circumstances that surround them in this I'M
dertaking have increased, if such thing is
possible, this sense of art glory. They are
making a monument in honor of their own
countrymen; to men who carried their patriot
ism into a far off land and in favor of suffer
ing cause Lafayette and his c0mpatriots in
America is a fact of historic pride to every
liberty-loving Frenchman. And now that the
great republic proposes to show its gratitude
for their services it becomes an added inspira-
ton for these sculptors to continue in America
the fame they have already helped to give to
W
stances been combined in such an enterprise.
Falguiere and Mercier feel the occasion, and
are working to make their undertaking equal
to it.
The general mass and line of the monument
is imposing, harmonious, and graceful. The
figures are in most excellent proportion with
the pedestal. Neither dominates the other
The pedestal is very simple. thus affording a
proper contrast with the figures. The whole
monument is concentrated, in large and varied
planes. 1t is very human in general design as
well as in detail.
DE aRAssE AND D'EsTAISa
stand side by side, ON the right side Of, and
close up to the die of the pedestal, and instead
of appearing like two inanimate images, are
engaged in conversation just as though they
had some interest in the events Of which they
were part.
RoCHAMBEAU AND HIS COMPANION
are on the opposite side, and are even more
animated than their brother officers, for they
seem to be in the act of starting off, hand in
hand, to offer their services to the colonies.
What q contrast are these living statues to the
brazen objects that serve like purposes ON SO
many American monuments.
THE STATUE OF LAFAYETTE
surmounts the monument. 1t represents him
as coming to join in the scheme of independ-
ence. His right arm is extended toward the
observer, while his left, well out from his
body, supports his cloak, which falls to the
ground after winding around his figure to his
right leg. The left hand rests upon the hilt of
his sword, the point of which reaches to the
ground The statue is an original and very
pleasing composition. 1t will be about ten
feet and half high. The other figures will
be about nine feet nine inches high. In front
of the pedestal, close to it and sitting upon its
base, is fine female figure, turning toward
Lafayette and offering to him in her up
stretched hand a sword. It is intended to rep
resent
THE GENIUS OF GRATITUDE,
who gives the patriot the sword of honor in
recognition Of his services to the colonies.
This figure is partly nude. is beautiful
composition Of itself, goes finely with the rest
artistic contrast with the figures on each side
large decorated shield covers the front sur.
face Of the die.
On the rear side of the monument, and also
close up to the face Of the die, are two nude
infants clasping hands, as though curiously ex.
amining the letters on the richly ornamented
shield which covers the entire side of the die.
1t was the first intention Of the sculptors to
make all the figures in bronze and the architec-
tural part in marble; but, after great deal OF
study, they have concluded that the bronze
will make too great q contrast with the marble,
oAN VIC CACCS VI VIC pcucSttls III IdCt,
almost destroy it. They have, therefore, asked
the Secretary Of War to permit them to make
the whole thing in marble, and thus produce a
unity Of effect, as well of material. From an
art point Of view the sculptors have certainly
reached q wise conclusion.
Besides making a fine monument, no doubt
the most artistic one in the United States, if
they can only set an example against the horrid
practice Of mixing colors that never can 90
well together, they will perform great service
for good taste in q country where such an ex-
ample Is greatly needed. 1t is to be hoped
that the Secretary will permit the artists to
carry out the result Of their study.
The whole structure will stand about SO feet
high. There are great many details in the
work that show that its authors are full of pride
and ardor, and very appreciative Of the import.
ant circumstances that surround them. Masses
as well as details 60 well together. The monu.
ment will certainly mark the beginning Of a
good epoch in monumental art in the United
States. Let u all hope that it may continue.
T. II. BARTLETT.