The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-05
STATUARY FOR FAIR
MADE IN WASHING TON
James F. Farley Sculptor OF Design
for Several Buildings.

Nearly all of the contracts for the
groups of statuary which are to adorn
the Government buildings at st. Louis.
and which were awarded TO the sculptors
of Washington by Assistant Secretary of
the Treasury Taylor, it was announced
today, have been completed 1t was
said, with the possible exception of a
great quadriga, group of four horses,
three figures, and the chariot, OF heroic
size, all Of the work will have been
shipped to the Mound City by June 1.
The sculptors of Washington will re-
ceive more than $50. eco for their work.
Some of the most important groups
and figures has been shaped by the
genius of James F. Farley, whose studio
at 1852 Street northwest is crowded
with completed work. To Mr. Farley
was assigned the scheme for the dec
orations which are TO beautify the Gov
eminent and the Fisheries buildings.
Both call for the exercise of high
grade of art and ripe judgment. That
Mr. Farley has fulfilled these require
ments Is made apparent by a study OF
the work he has finished. This consists
of eight figures, ali OF which are colos-
sal, two groups, in which there are
four and five figures. respectively. and
the great quadriga. The latter is to
grace the dome of the Government
building. A number OF lamp bases of in
tricate and beautiful design and ten ca
giles three times life size have also been
completed by him.
The figures are those of women, and
they are TO be placed on the front OF
the Government building They are to
represent Commerce, Sculpture, Paint
ing, Machinery, Agriculture, Transport
tation, Mining, and Education All are
to be ten feet in height AT the feet OF
Commerce are ship. a locomotive. a
view of the sea and mountains. fields
and part of railroad track Like sym
bols surround each of the fgures-typfy-
Ing the other elements of modern civilf-
cation.
The groups are fifteen feet high, and
twenty-three feet wide. One represents
Young America" typiied by the fig
ure of Columbia seated upon a pedestal
and surrounded by four figures of
youths, who are represented as guard
ing her. At the base Of the group are
the inevitable shields and eagles. The
second group is of the same number
OF figures and represents Progress.
The quadriga shows a colossal figure
of Liberty, in the chariot, driving four
armed with spears
In addition Mr.. Farley has had much
of the minor work to do, including the
fountains, the lamp bases. the friezes,
and shields. for the Fisheries and Gov
eminent buildings. The latter struct-
ure is of the Roman or classic style OF
architecture. and the former Of Greek
Consequently, Mr. EarIey's work has
been dencately difficult throughout in
preventing the merging OF STYLES.
In the frieZe scheme for the decora-
tion of the Fisheries building, dolphins,
scenes of the sea, tridents and Neptunes
are mingled promiscuously with the
twining vine and huge-leafed honey
suckle Of the Greeks, which appears
in all of their work in stone.
In front of the structure there are to
be four large fountains, also beautiful
in their conception and execution From
the walls a stream of water falls from
the mouths Of dolphins into huge bowls
which are supported by large figures Of
turtles Still handsomer are the lamp
bases for this building. which, with the
fountains, were suggested a long time
ago by Commissioner Bowers, OF the
Fish Commission. Enlarged figures OF
mermaids and the god Pan support col
umns sculptured to represent acanthus
leaves, which are in turn surmounted by
four eagles. The lights will rest within
this circle of eagles
Several of the largest cars will trans
port the work to the st. Louis fair
grounds. Special crews viii be needed.
for the greatest care Will have to be
taken TO. prevent breakage. Such ca
tastrophe would result in so much de-
lay that ii is more than probable the
artist could not replace the object in
time for the opening of the fair.
The first of the contracts were award
ed by Assistant Secretary Taylor nearly
a year ago Mr.. Farley and his asso-
ciates have been working at their best
ever since. The first group Will be sent
West about the first of next week