The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-22
FAMOUS WORK OF ART.
The Albert Memorial, Model Of
Which Is at the Worlds Fair.
Chicag go News.

OllcdSO news
In. the Victoria House, Jackson Park,
worlds fair visitors may see model of the
famous Albert memorial, one of the most
gorgeously magnificent monuments in the
close to Albert Hail. and I'm blue glass
mosaic on background of gold the dedi-
catory. inscription runs as follows: Queen
Victoria and Her People. To the Memory
of Albert, Prince Consort. AS Tribute to
Their Gratitude for a Life Devoted 10 the
Public Good" This monument or Gothic
shrine, as it is sometimes called, is one of
the sights of London, and 100000 spent
in the endeavor to have it surpass all
others.
Never before in all the empire ruled by
her Majesty had sculpture been given such
a chance as the Albert memorial afforded.
No utilitarian considerations were present
to fetter the wings of art and its own
sweet will was the only guide that directed
its flight. Into the stone work of the mon
ument 100000 was put and, erected upon
lofty and wide-Spreading pyramid of steps
of gray granite beautifully chiseled in
crusted with gems and inlayings of vitreous
enamel spar, agate and onyx, rooted over
with FURNISHED metal and surmounted by
cross at the height of $50 feet, the work is
impressive in the extreme: Round the side
are 169 iife-size figures and in the centre of
the platform inciosed by the polished
groups of granite pillars, is the massive
marble pedestal on which the figure of the
Prince rests. This statue is of bronze gilt
twice and half large as life. 1t repre-
sentS him seated, with his face toward the
Albert Hall and wearing the robe and col
lar of the Garter, while projecting from
each side are groups in white marble repre-
senting agriculture, manufacture commerce
and engineering, the department of activity
that the Prince helped to encourage
Hewn out of the rough granite supporting
the platform are series of portrait figures
in high relief Of the great artists of all
ages and overhead all is a sumptuous roof
in gold and enamel. But perhaps one of the
most interesting details of this great shrine
is the four groups of sculpture at the angles
OF the pyramid of steps from which the
monument rises, intended to signify the
four great continents and to recall the in
ternational exhibition of 1851. These groups
are all in Italian marble and represent
ASIA Africa, Europe and America. The lat
ter is said to be the strongest in conception
and composition, and represents a female
figure typifying the new world seated upon
buffalo charging through the long prairie
grass.
as the less progressive, and denote South
and Central America. while in the fore
ground two erect female figures repre-
sent Canada and the United States IL is
reefs the headlong onward course of the
buffalo, aud her left arm bears a shield
emblazoned with the eagle the beaver.
the volc s iS the Lone Sta Star. the Ala.
the United States. Canada. Mexico Chilli
Peru and Brazil. In her right hand is a
stone-ponted, feathered lance, and in her
calm and noble face is seen the conscious
ness OF supremacy and confidence in her
destiny.
Africa is represented by an Egyptian
princess seated on kneeling camel on
her right is Nubian and Arab and a
Moorish trader is on her left. while In
the rear "a full-blooded negro, with broken
chains at his feet, listens 70 the teach
ings of a female figure sypifying European
civiliza ton
Asia is typified by a semi-nude and ex-
ceedingly beautiful female seated upon an
elephant about TO rise. On the right of the