The Indianapolis journal., 1890-12-19
OPINION OF AN ARTIST.
Miss Hosmer Very Much Pleased with the Sol
diers' Monument and Its Growing Figaro.

Miss Harriet Hosmer, the sculptor, was
at the State-house yesterday. and looked
upon the design and plans of the soldiers'
monument. A Journal reporter who saw
her last evening asked her what she thought
of the work. Il spent very pleasant hour
and half at the commissioners room."
Miss Hosmer replied, land conversed with
Mr.. Langsdale and Mr.. Johnston. j also
saw Mr.. Baumann. of Chicago. the superin-
tendent of the work. / will say that /
admire the composition greatiy-the entire
effect of the design, mean. When COM
pleted it will be one of the finest monu-
ments in the country; indeed. do not know
but may say the finest and when all the
groups are added it will be magnificent"
But" suggested the interviewer. the
crowning fignre-the lady with the eagles
THAT has, believe. called forth some
criticism" the lady said: Il, as well as
other artists, was written o for an opinion
on the subject. / understood there was to
be some kind of a cap for the head of the
figure, so that the eagle would not be di-
rectly upon the hair This would give
less uncomfortable feeling, and still think
it would be desirable TO put cap or some
thing upon the head-not exactly a helmet,
perhaps-but something to interpose be-
tween the hair and the claws. Tho treat
ment in respect of the eagle is Pc
culiar and is the only thing to be
criticised. As said. admire the figure.
1t is better as it is without wings; 1t is
ont wings. to accord with the shaft. Then
the design is new. So many shafts abroad
are mounted with winged Victorys or other
winged figures"
''You think, then, it will be fine monu-
mentp
lit certainly will. / understand it will
not be all finished at once. utitisarranged
in such way that the several groups can
DE added at convenience"
''DO You know the artlst-the designer OF
the surmounting figureP
Il do not know Mr.. Brewster. l under
stand he mas been In Paris"
DO you mean that the figure indicates
French art"
or French art particularly. 1t is very orig
inal, and has style of its own which is
very satisfactory. / think Mr.. Brewster
has studied in Paris. l do not remember
him in Rome. but he may have been there
lately during my absence. He is a very
clever artist to have produced such piece
of work. 1t is light, graceful, effective.
grandiOse, uniting many admlraolo
qualities. When figure crowns shaft it
should continue, as this does. the line OF
the shaft from every point OF view.
"Have you seen the II endricks mOnu-
ment"
"Yes, and told Mrs. Hendricks, whom l
have seen this evening. how much Ii ke 1t.
j never saw Mr.. Hendricks. j have heard
that it was a little overbalanced,. as II
standing back too far. / did not observe
the defect from the point of view from
which saw it, and DID not get to see it
from a good distance. Changing the level
of figure from the model is no unusual
thing 1t is common trick for the plaster
cast to play. If it is so in this statue 1T can
be readily remedied and the figure made
level"
YES" said Miss Hosmer, after pause,
answering the reporters inquiry, "this is
my first visit to Indianapolis. l have had
very pleasant visit here, having been re-
celved most Hospitality" Miss Hosmer is
to go abroad to complete heroic statue of
Queen Isabella. Christopher Columbuss
patron, for the worlds fair. The statue
will be of bronze. She informed the re-
porter that the work was already begun.
she having made the initial model, figure
eighteen inches high. which she had with
her in her trunk From it she will build q
figure four or five feet high and from that
the last figure, about eight feet high. from
which the bronze casting will be MADE.