The St. Louis Republic., 1904-08-28
The Niehaus Equestrian
"Ss. Louis May Be
Done in Bronze-Chief
Bitter Says That All
cs the Statuary May Be
Preserved as 1t Stands
for Fifteen to Twenty
Five Years-PIans for
the Restoration of the
Central Picture.

Consideration is being given to 4
movement to preserve at least a part
OF the notable statuary at the Worlds
Fair.
In this branch Of art the Exposition
Is pre-eminently In advance of any
other International exhibition. and the
effort now In hand contemplates the
saving to the future of much that is
good in the Fairs sculpture. not only
because of IFS great value as art, but
for the added reason that the statuary.
as much as any single feature of the
Exposition. will keep in mind the
memory of the brilliant beauty OF the
Fair long after its physical aspects
have passed from view.
Primarily, the suggestion contem-
plates the rendering. in bronze, of the
Niehaus piece, ST. Louis, the heroic
on the Plaza st. Louis. In addition TO
this. there comes a suggestion from no
less an authority than Chief Bitter of
the Department OF Sculpture, that
nearly all of the notable works may be
saved for fifteen and perhaps twenty
i've years, by annual paintings and
with some attention to the bases.
Mr.. Bitter in an interview with n
correspondent Of The Sunday Republic
points out way Of arranging the
statuary to the best effect after the
Exposition buildings have been re-
moved and the Park restored
Mr.. Bitter's suggestions. considering
his great experience and the position
Of authority he occupies, are of great
value in contemplating uses of the Ex-
position statuary in the work of
restoration.
Th. Republic Bureau.
1is Times Building.
New York, Aug ITO reproduce in
bronze the statue of st. Lou.s' at the
Worlds Fair would cost something IN the
neighborhood OF $4,000 according to Karl
Bitter, Chief OF Sculpture Of the Louisiana
Purchase Exposition. Mr.. Bitter was
asked by The Republic correspondent for
his views on the project OF making the
equestrian figure of st. Louis a perms
nent figure in Forest Park. by having II
cast In bronze. and the right Of the Ex-
position authorities to do so.
Tho statue is the property Of the Ey-
position Company" said Mr. Bit:ner, but
hardly think they have the right to re-
produce Il without the consent of the ar
tist who executed the work. Mr.. Charles
H. Niehaus. This however I expect.
would be given. but not before Mr.. ME-
haus gave It a sort OF overharling.
whose work appears at the Worlds Fair
would consent to casting from the statues
- they now appear. 1t would be quite
natural for any one whose work Is to be
perpetuafed In bronze to smooth of any
rough edgee that may have developed
since their work was turned over at St
Louie-an other words, to remodel It.
The statue Of ct. Louis is very beau
tfui piece Of work. have heard thou
SANDS Of visitors at the Fair express their
admiration for Mr.. Niehaus's work All
Mr.. Niehaus's 6t. Louis is exceptionally
flne. Tho reproduction in bronze of this
grand statue would be, indeed a Iaudable
Undertaking. II Mr.. Niehaus's achieve
ment IL put in permanent form shall be
" very % glad. 1t certainly is superior piece
Mr.. Bitter gave as his reason for the
belief that the Exposition officials would
not be at liberty to cast the statue of st.
Louis in bronze without the sculptors
designed for q certain purpose and for