New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-21

r. Santomenna, F. Setario, j. TosHni L. Troia, Pro
lessor G.. Tuin o. valen T. volpe G. Volta and NJ.
Zaccarc.
Tho order OF the designs sent to Bosselli, the
Minister OF Public Instruction of Italy, In January,
1889. There spirited competition Of designs,
and nine judges appointed three being sculptors
three architects and three painters. The sculpors
Montcverde, Gallori and Ferran the painters
Maccari Prospect and Mariani and the architects were
Calderini saccOni and Bassii. When the award
made to Gaetano Russo he began work at once in the
largest working studio OF Orazo AndreOn and there
the most able workmen OF Italy have been laboring
ever since 10 make Ialy's gift worthy one. Gactano
Russo, who won the prize In competition with so
many famous scdlptors, Is pupil Of the celebrated
sculptor Monteverde. Many Of his works now In
the Sala OF the PaIazzo Muncipo in MeSsna, Sicily
which is his native city. lie was born there In
1s4S and he draws large pension from TINT
town, bestowed upon him in gratitude for his work
He Is expected here 10 supcrincnd the erection OF his
statue and to be present at the unveilng. Orzlo
Andreoni and EncstO Gazze, Of the Andreoni studio
two other eminent scuiptors will probably accompany
Mm..s
al, The entire monument Is 10 be seventysix feet H.
.beGht ~, A handsome pedestal bears column Of
seed granite twenty and half feet high on the
p,ef which viii be the statue Of Columbus, four
teen {eet In height. Not only the monumental and
architectural effects Of the statue have been considered
The different materials OF which It is composed have
been selected with careful reference TO rich and strk
Ing color effects, and for this purpose the three
painters put the committee OF award. The
terraced lower pedestal and the octagonal corner col
umns at the bottom Will be OF red granite from
Ravano. Here Will be the bassreliefs. Then comes
The figure OF Christopher Columbus which Is to
crown the monument. has been designed hfter much
careful and painstahng research The sketch for
the monument made after critical comparisons
With the earliest known paintings and engraving OF
fhe great sailor and II IS believed that 1t bears as
much resemblance to him II is possible TO obtain.
Photograph Of the figure recently received by
Dr.. l. Roversi. II represents Columbus standing In
40 easy attitude with his left foot slightly forward
HIS left hand rests his hip and In his right hand
6c gr.sps firmly the helm of the ship. Tie figure Is
6dotlsed In simple garments tunic-like shirt falling
" the knees without any onamentation folds, and
. long coat With fur on the front. But the face is
what rresistiby draws the attention Of the
II Is unlike most Of the many portraits which hive
been published recently. Lacking every element
Of beauty with deep burrows and wrinkles the sculp
tor has chiselled into 1t expression OF wonderful
ufe 1t is the face Of strong undaunted man, trins
Bgurod BY an absorbing passion. One can ina CINE
that he stood mt the helm OF his ship thus looking
toward the West, mistaken by disappointment or
muttny unnlcrably strong In faith through the long
the upper part OF the pedestal made Of purely coored
ray granite against which the white marble figures
n genius and an eagle will stand out prominently
From this pedestal will rise the graceful pillar that
hearp the statue Of Columbus. This pillar Is Of rich
- 0szln 80 same a. the terraced sedestal. Ersn