New-York tribune., 1895-07-28
AMERICAN SCULPTURE.
WORK WHICH MAcMONNIEs IS DOING
FOR BROOKLYN-GLIMPSES or
WORKING STUDIO.


on series Of important works for Broo k'yh anu
other American cities He has three spacious
well-lirhtcd rooms in the Latin Quarter Win
large workshop not far away In the mann 'o''''
Of his studio there is a model Of the Soiu'e'S
and Sailors Arch which stands at the lower
entrance of Prospect Park BROOKLYN III II no'
the arch as II is seer by passengers IN 'he
electric cars trundling around the curves oi '''e
Plaza but the arch as IL will be when orha-
mented and beautifed by scripture OF hieh
order Of excellence The top Of the arch Is sur
mounted in the sculptors studio with ou'u'i-
ga. which diverts attention from the bau ""eS
and false proportions of the structure ltsei' anu
below it. on the two pedestals supported oy pr
lars. which bear close resemblance 10 '"e
monument of Bartoomeo Colleoni in Venice are
two groups of statuary The three pieces VI
sculpture are designed to harmonic win one
another and TO produce a symmetrical erect
when seen together
In the centre Of the same room In Mr.. Mac
Nonniess studio is ar enlarged Eodei u '"'
quadrigA. which promises to be one OF the oes'
works Of art in America. The notive Oh ''e
group is simple az II is inspiring Ihe s'"'P-
tors conception is the triumph Of Armed iedc''
In chariot drawn bv four spirited couisers
stands Peace. majestic figure. in full panoply.
with sword in ore hand and with the other
Grasping firmly the standard Of victory WIN
wreath and palms and long waving streamer'
on the front face OF the chariot is the American
eagle encrced with stars and with the iasces
underneath. and the pole Is tipped with ram
head. on each side Of the horses is "ihHeu
Fame. proca.ming the glory and permanence oi
the triumph Of Peace. which has been won oS
arms and by inexhaustiblc resources for self
IL
posed. with strength in the uplifted arms and
beniCnant calm in the upturned face. There Is
no suggestion here Of a hollow truce arranged
by diplomatic compromise. 1t is a pacihc prog
ress for which victories in war have opened the
way That is the motive Of this mastery con-
ccption The two subordinate groups. for which
the preliminary studies have been made, VIII
be In harmony with IT,.
MIR MACMONNIES'S STUDIO.
Unlike L. friend Mr. Whistler who prefers
TO work in bare room with casels and can
vases. but without picturesque surroundings.
Mr. Ma cMonnies has many pleasant surprises
for the eye in his studio. Tho quadriga is On a
raised platform roughly imhcrcd. and the rooms
are Uttered with what may be described as the
mechanical plant Of tho trade; bu, the walls
arc Illuminated and enriched with tapestry hang
and antique chairs and other artistic pieces II
furniture are arranged without any attempt at
orderncss II is. however. working room.
where the mechanical drudg,ry u the art of
sculpture IS carried m with painstaklnE care
and systcmatzcd effort The studies for the
drapories # Peace and ;he Two Farrcs have
been most ahorous. as s shown by the col
lection of figures on one side of the 1uadriga.
III ~ at h. ~
Armed Peace has be evolved after p long series
of experiments with paper and cloth on the
s.lc wall may ho soon the primal suggestion for
this nag and surrounding It are thirty or more
adaptations and cniargemcnts of II In various
stages ~ DEVELOPMENT. tho long floating
strcamcr which will he seen from every point
Of tho Plaza Al Prospect Park being one ~ the
most difficult details - the work. In tho larger
workshop where the heavy work FOR the worries
Fair Fountain done and whore S.r Henry
Vane Is still to be seen. horse Is stalled which
has served as the model for one OF the finest
coursers Of the quadriea
WORKS IL CONTEMPLATION.
In addition to the quadriga and the tNo ac-
companying groups Of statuary FOR the arch Mr.
Mac Monnies has much other work for Brooklyn
either under contract or In contemplation. lie is
the entrance Of Prospect Park now familiarly
known among the irreverent as the iombstones.
and also for two additional pillars which are to
be constructed at the Flatbush and Ninth ave
corners He also has made several studies for
the groups OF statuary which are 10 surmount
the two pedcstals AT the Ocean Parkway entrance
OF the Park and is now employed upon the final
designs Several other commissions are likely also
TO be placed In his hands Commissioner Squicr
has selected a site for a statue in the Vale OF
Cashmere near the pool where an unattrdctivc
and neglected section Of Prospect Park Is to be
transformed and bcautined with the aid OF stan
ford White who has dcsig ed some tasteful archi-
tcctural work. There Is an opportunity for "A
vdry beautiful effect in sculpture. and 1t is
probable that Mr. MacMonnies Will have the
chance Of making another study as characteristic
OF his genius as the Bacchante. Negotiations are
also in progress with the sculptor for design
for a monument to the martyrs of the prison ships
over the terrace Of Fort Greene Park. Com
missioner Squicr is cooperating with committee
Of Brooklyn women headed by Mrs 5. V. White.
to secure a suitable memorial and the work will
probably be intrustcd to Mr.. MacMonnies.
There arc two spirited designs In the scuptors
studio for an important work Of art In Indian
apolis He was commissioned 10 furnish designs
for two bassrelcs which are u he set against the
column erected In memory OF the Union soldiers
and sailors Of Indiana. lie decided upon two
groups which would harmonic with the monu-
mental idea and commemorate the struggles
and suffering Of the silent heroic dead on land
and sea one to represent "A battle charge
in which soldiers hghtng desperately
and diving gIorlously. and the other to
illustrate the inlexible hrmncss fortitude
and endurance OF successful naval defence
The groups when modelled in clay for pre-
liminary studies were photographed and sent out
to indianapolis. where some controversies arose
among the committeeman. The military group
was accepted an appropriate allegory Of war,
but some Of the committeeman preferred COM
panion group embodyng the idea OF the beneh-
cent influences OF peace