The San Francisco call., 1896-01-01
OTTO DOBBERTTN.

weeks ago by Otto Dobbertin, the sculptor,
in relation to the matter OF. expending the
funds realized by tie: Goethe Schiller
Monument Association at the festival
held III the Mechanics Pavilion. :.
1t was the desire Of the Monument Asso-
citation 10 secure the sum. OF S100 900 to be
expended in reproducing the famous.
Rietschel monumentot Goethe and Schil
Ter at Weimar, Germany but only $1,000
was realized.throught the festival. :. 49,.
Charles Bundschur president. of the
Monument Association, was wrapped up
in the idea OF a reproduction Of the
RietscheI 4ork, but local sculptors and
artists raised vigorous protest against
sending money to Germany that had been.
raised in San Francisco, and especially
for the purpose of taking cast of a monu-
ment over fifty years old, Notwithstanding
the fact that 1t was made by cele brated
sculptor. Mr.. Dobbertin, imam interv iew
concisely set forth certain reasons why
local artists should be encouraged, with
the result that his stand awakened the
Art Association and President Phelan TO
action, which bids fair to bring about diff
lerent arrangements and more satisfac-
tory plans all around.
So far the discussion has been confined
TO the columns OF the California Demo-
krat, but the letters have been translated
for use in IHE CALL: The first letter was
written by Pre- sdent Bundschu to Mr..
Phelan and touched upon the insrfficiency
of the funds, together with other matter
pertaining to tile proposed reproduction
OF the Rietschel monum ent at Weimar.
In answer to this letter President Phelan
replied:
SAN Francisco, Dec: 7, 1895.
Charles Buadscbu, Presi9ent-DEAR SIR; l beg
10 acknowledge receipt OF your favor of No
vember 20 considering the fact the funds
YOU have raised are not sufficient for carving
out YOUR original intention l make free TO
recommend to YOU, both for the sake of art ana
OF houoring your poets, the erection OF a more
economical monument and that the same be
an original work and constructed OF California
In This suggestion am guided by the follow
ing reasons and desire to learn now they are
received by your committee:
First-Any work ordered by you should be
original, because copy OF even a renowned
monument is without merit. 1t is appropriate
ing the ideas OF another and therefore not
creditable to those who sand sponsor TO such
nppropriatiou only Tor instructive purposes
the erection OF duplicate is admissible, and
this will be evident 10 you in cOntemDlaung
The vast number OF magnificent monuments
erected TO the great men OF Europe, whenyou
append thereto the question: Is il desirable,
even if il could be done, to copy one or ali of
these monuments and sci mp such second edi-
There are many American sculptors, true wor-
shippers OF their ART, aud it would be highly
e%redient for your committee 10 invite them
TO compete for the work. ! am convinced
that you could obtain right here in this City
quite satisfactory work and that the cas- ting in
bronze could be done here, too, without neces-
stating any greater outlay than the $4,000
your estimate for ''copy" calls for
Sccondly-Such an original, fully up TO the
mark cf ali artistic requirements. the creation
Of California genius, shaped in California
studies, testiying 10 the resources Of CalifoI-
MA erected IL our magnificent park, facing
the wide Pacific ocean, would be a far rober
tribute 10 Goethe and Schiller than the mere
"duplicate' of any monument.
shall ii be said OF rs now when European
culture has secured permanent dwelling
throughout the American continent that we
are stin depending upon the peoples abroad,
not Tor supply Of works o1 art. but 10 apIro-
pirate that which produced by sumcbody
there fifty years sgo? That would amount 10
confession of iacapacity 10 create al original
work Instead of patrons OF art we would be
aiding in It's hurr 'liation.
This cemmGl 10 ,tion and tie resolutions