The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-27
FREDERICK M'MONNIES
THE GREAT SCULPTOR TALKS OF
INDIANA's SOLDIERS MONUMENT.
He pronounces IL N superb Work OF
Art-Why He Works fin Paris-The
Future OF Art I'm America.

AFR. Frederick MacMonnies, who, OF all
Others, is the choice OF the Monument Com
mission and of the people OF Indiana as the
sculptor to design and model the War and
Peace groups for the great soldiers and
sailors monument was recently in In
dianapolis for the purpose of COM
plotting the details of the contract and Of
affixing his signature. The price to be
paid him for the work. which is to be COM
pleted In three years time. is 100000 He
was the preference Of the Commission be-
cause. first he is American in birth,
rearing and heart, and his work shows
combination of the patriotic and the in
teilectuaI; and second, because he is a
cosmopolitan in art, and in rising to the
frst place among the sculptors OF the
world has lifted the art OF his native land
to the same high plane If a third reason
were mentioned it would be that he has
caught the spirit of the monument and is
in thorough sympathy with the reading
Of the stately column
1T is the greatest opportunity ever Of
Tered an American artist" said he, in talk
ing to the writer OF his work. 1t must be
remembered that with MacMonnies, since
the American people saw his fountain at
the worlds fair, it is no longer a question
of seeking work, but Of choosing what he
prefers of the large number of orders
that seek him. To have him therefore
speak as quoted is an honor alike TO the
monument and the judgment Of the COM
mission.
How does ii compare with the monu-
ments abroad?' continued the sculptor, re-
peating the question. 1T is hardly proper
to make comparison in the case. The In
diana monument looks like the American
In ohio t. hoe <fxra
expressive of the strength and greatness OF.
the country. Artistically it is superb in
conception. and in its yet partial con-
structicn- The conditions for the perfection
OF art. enduring as time. are there. Particu-
larry do L admire the base with its massive
ramparts That is one OF the great features
of the monument
Has it's fame extended to Paris In any
measureg'
1.-The French, with the exception. of the
few who have travelled in America and
have visited Indianapolis of those who
have been directly or indirectly interested
I'm the various competitions relating 10 the
monument. know little or nothing about
H. They have seen pictures of it, and
when it is completed IL will come in the
nature Of a surprise to them. The French
Journals have not described or discussed
II
all art centers in Paris..and everything
elsewhere is unimportant. They record
only what has been exhibited in the Salon,
and OF everything else they say with in
difference, Oh we have not seen IT,.
WHY HE WORKS IN PARIS.
why do you find 1t advantageous to do
your work In Parish?
"Oh. Paris. of course. is the center of
art ard sculpture, and my studio is there.
] studied there. and Paris has atmos-
phere of art which is congenial TO the
greatest work as we'll as a stimulus to
best results All the greatest sculptors col
lect there because they wish their work to
bear the stamp of what the Parisians think
OF it. But when / come over 1 want TO
stay here. for America is my home, and
look forward to the time when I may be
here permanently. 1 shall. however. do the
work connected with the Indiana monu-
ment in Paris except, OF course. that part
which relates to the collection OF data,
models, costumes, types OF people. etc,
which must secure from war photographs
and by the serious study of all that relates
TO the period Of the civil war"
And where will the bronzes be cast?'
IF not in America. then in Paris. The
much lower cost in Paris makes it prob
able they will be cast there. There 4:
nothing to prevent America from doing as
fine and noble work in bronze as Paris, bu
at present prices the foundry work IL
America would cost me much as / re
ceive for the entire contract. 1 would pre-
fer an American foundry. but 1t is mucl
better to put the money in the work of de
signs and absolute models than in thu
mere reproduction of them The groups
will be the most ambitious conceptions ii
bronze thus far produced in America
Speaking again OF the entire monument
let me say that Indiana might have givel
this city quite as abominable q monumen
as is the rule in many American cities hat
1t not been for the devotion shown by th'
president of the commission. Mr.. George ]
Langsdale. His energy and insistence {,
make the monument a great artistic sue
and his exacting care for the details
have demonstrated to me his absolute sin
certify and integrity. After everybody wa
talking about the fountain at the fair, h,
took nothing for granted as to my fitness
for designing the War and Peace groups
He pursued his Investigations until 1 fel
fifty times convinced Of his high purpose
I'm relation TO the monument. 1t is due 4
my regard for him that I made man.
concessions in the contract. 1 never bcfor
signed a contract giving so many advant
ages 10 the Otner Slce, or yielulng IN IN
custom of the heavy first payment. 1t i
not customary for artists to furnish photo
graphs OF various stages of the work AM
bind themselves TO be subject to the sug
gestions OF board OF commissioners. Blu
] desired to please Mr.. Langsdale, who
knew was governed by a desire to attas
the best in art 10 the highest and fuIles
satisfaction OF the commission and tn
State have the greatest admiration 70
him. though. throughout our dealings. h
has been exacting in his requirements. H
gave and asked quarter"
ART IN PARIS
Here the conversation became more ger
eral in it's range OF art subjects. 9TH
greatest piece of monumental ARCHITECTURE
In Paris" said Mr.. MacMonnies. is Far
de Triumphe d Etolle. It's group is b
Rude, the greatest sculptor OF the Ger
tury. and typifies war in its broadcast sens
While military subjects are popular /
sculpture. the range OF subjects is as broa
as In any other branch of art Ii all d'
ponds what is intended TO be celebrated
The group 'Carousale, in the Louvre. &c
instance. celebrates the achievements
Napoleon. and one finds in Spain fountain
celebrating various heroic subjects. In Ital
sculpture is made 10 symbolic the ses
sons. the oceans and the passions. 1t a