Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-13
NEW SCULPTURE w PARIS.
Daiou's Triumph of the Republic
Bnrtholome's Great Tomb.

tbafiS Letter.
The unwilling last Sunday OF Jules Da-
LOUIS immense monument in bronze re-
presenting "The Triumph OF the Republic
furnished the occasion for violent poiiti-
cal discussion; but as TO tho artistic mer-
it's Of Dalou's work there seems TO be one
opinion namely that IL ranks among tbs
finest OF tho modern monuments erected
I'm Paris.
The female figure persorifying the Ro-
public stands erect I'm a triumphal chariot
drawn by two lions. The body Is draped
I'm a floating cloak. The head is sur
mounted with the Phrygian cap. The LIFT
hand rests upon the fascss. With tho
right hand the figure invites the city or
Paris 20 reconciliation and peace. Tho
sculptor has succeeded in impartlng to
his central figure an impression of
strength and granduer. Seated on one OF
the lions Is nude female, representing
the genius Of Liberty. The right hand
grasps Il torch, whlo from tho left hand
hang the chains that have been removed
from the people. Two other figures arc
at the right end left OF the triumphal car;
one Of them Is "A robust smith. with barred
chest, personfying Labor, and the other
Is a massive female wearing n long robe.
symbolizing Justice. Behind the ear Is a
nude female with n joyful expression,
holding armfuls OF fruit ard flowers.
This Is generalization OF Plenty.
Groups OF children dance and gambol I'm
charming pastures.
The female figure OF the Republic is
four and a half metres In height, The
chariot and the pedestal upon which in
rests are six and a half metres high. Tho
ngures al the base are each four metres
or forty centimetres IA height Each Hon
is four metres in length. The total weight
Of tho bronze is $500 kilogrammes. The
sculptor palou began the work In 1878
oh Of h. oil - h. o. IL HI
bition OF that year. Dalou who had
been involved I'm the Commune outbreak
In May 1871, was living I'm exile I'm Lon
don when tho city of Paris opened o COM
petitiye examination for "a statue 70 bs
erected in one OF the large squares OF the
city in communication OF tho Republic.
The model presented by Dalou, then quite
an unknown youth. secured tho prize.
The original model has however. been re-
pestedly changed, and tho work as II now
appears is the result oftwenty yesrS la
Dor.
NJ. Dalou has also completed a monu-
ment IN memory OF Aiphand. he archi-
tect OF the City OF Paris which WAS rs-
Gently erected In the Avenue du Bois de
BoulOgne. lie IS now engaged In finish
! ing tho sculptrral decorations OF the
| Alexander III Bridge across the Seine
AZ the enterance to the coming Worlds
| Fair OF 1900
| In the cemetery OF Pere LachaIse, fac.
| Ing the main enterance, there IA an abb
| rupt rocky prominence. This has been
! shaped, by the aid OF masonry into a
| sort or Egyptian tomb upon which
| Bartholome. the sculptor. has complies
| ted his work I'm memory Of the dead I'M
\ provided with special tablets or tomb
| stones. The vast work IL I'm admrabls
| harmony with the surroundings. Two
| broad avenues Of tho great Partisan nee
| ropolis encircle the monument. Poplar
and cypress trees near II make an appro-
pirate frame for tho grayish white stone
| upon which the figures ara chiselled The
! execution H. excellent. The motive may
| be described In a few lines-a broad ex-
| panse Of gray wall. In the wall is a SOM
| bre abyss into which two nude figures
| are about 20 enter They are husband and
| wife. Their arms are enlaced and they
| step toward tho unknown At both sides
groups OF every age and condition OF hu.
| manity follow the two central figures
| Beneath. and IN the same axis as the
| first abyss. IL a second chasm. Here re.
pose az full length the husband and wife
{ and their offspring. all three united In the
! common earth. A being radiant In Ugh,
| personfying Hope invokes than 20 etern
| nj life