Evening star., 1903-08-03
THE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.
Models Prepared by James F. Farley,
the Sculptor.

In designing the sculpture for the United
States government buildings for the Louis
lana purchase exposition, violent action has
purpoSely been avoided in order to have 1t
harmonize more thoroughly with the pure
classical style of the buildings.
The main entrance to the government
building consists of a portico of eight Ionic
columns. five feet in diameter and forty-f1Ve
feet high, surmounted by an entablature
and attic. The attic is enriched by eight
colossal female figures, eleven feet high,
representing music, painting, sculpture. ar
Chitecture, agriculture, manufactures,
transportation and commerce.
On each side of the central Poruco and
just above the top of the attic are groups
of four figures each. seated female fig
ure. fourteen feet high. representing Amer
lea. with a torch In one hand and an eagls
at her feet. is surrounded by three young
athletes. each ten feet six inches high, typ
flying the youth and strength of the re-
public. Each has a laurel wreath in his
hand.
The dome is surmounted by quadriga,
a Goddess of Liberty, fourteen feet high,
bearing a torch in one hand and an eagle
in the other, stands in the triumphal char
lot, drawn by four colossal horses. The
horses are guided by two nude male fig
ures. each twelve feet high.
These models. together with those of the
decorative ornament. have been prepared
by Mr.. James r. Farley, sculptor. OF tins
city. from designs prepared and furnished
by the office of the supervising architect.
and they have been superiitended by
representative of that office during their
production.
The work Of the supervising architect, MIR.
James Knox Taylor, is known throughout
the United States. He designs the public
buildings for every city and town for which
Congress appropriates the money. The very
fact that he holds the responsible position
of supervising architect of the United
States treasury IS guarantee of his char
acter. ability and standing as an archi-
teCt.
The sculptor, Mr. James F. Farley, is
scarcely less distinguished. He was the
youngest pupil ever admitted to the Royal
Academy. having entered that institution
on the merits of his portfolio at the age
of fourteen. He remained there eight years
and afterwards studied in Paris and other
art centers Of the old world. When nine
teen years of age he made for church in
Dublin marble sta atues of the Virgin and
St. John which We're highly praised by
critics.
Washington and many other American
cities possess numerous specimens OF his
artistic skill. One of his masterpieces is the
sculptural ornamentation of the Franciscan
monastery near this city, both exterior and
interior. Photographs of this were sent to
Pope Leo. who presented 20 Mr.. Farley
medal of honor and other evidences of his
appreciation. Father Godfrey has com
menced monastery in Cairo. Egypt. sim
liar to the one near Washington. for which
Mr.. Farley has been engaged to make
sculptural ornaments chancel, reredos,
high altar. statues, &c.
Mr.. Farley is experienced in exposition
work and Is warmly interested in the sculp-
tural designs for the government buildings
at the ST Louis exposition
Mr.. Taylor has made the design for the
fisheries building severely classic 1t Is
simple and beautiful in outline as the Greek
temple to Poseidon. which still crowns
nected with the United States government
buildings by coonnade. Mr.. Farley has
ably aided and abetted Mr.. Taylors ar
chitectural design by making every crest.
frieZe and ornament accord with II. Beau
tful groups of naiads, mermaids, mermen.
sportive dolphlns. scashells and tridents
adorn every available place. The effect is
graceful, pleasing classic and suggestive.