Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-05
REVOLUTIONARY HERO
SIX GERMAN-AMERICAN SCULP-
TORS ENTERED IN COMPETITION.
Description Of the Eight Designs
Monument Will Be Erected in
Lafayette Park.


Gallery of Art.
Provision was made for this monument
by an act of Congress, approved February
81 1908, and in May of the present year
the formal program of the competition was
sent out. The commission which has the
matter in charge is composed of the Secre-
tary of War, Senator Wetmore, chairman
of the Senate committee on the library.
and Representative McCleary. Chairman Of
the House committee on the library.
The requirements OF the competition were
that the monument should consist of a.
pedestrian statue of Baron Won Steuben. a
suitable pedestal and base. the cost of
which, including erection should not ex-
coed $4,000; that the statue itself should
represent the character and individuality of
the subject and that as a whole its general
type should conform to that of the Lafay-
cite and Rochambeau statues, which oc-
cupy the south corners of the park The
scale prescribed for the models was two
inches to the foot. and the cost of making
and shipment betrayed personally by the
sculptors.
None save a German-Ameriean citizen of
the United States could become a com
petitor, and an obligation imposed was tina.
an the work stone cutting and bronze cast
ing, should be done In this country.
How Award Will Be Made.
According. also, to the tene.s Of the COM
petition the models are to be exhibited for
two weeks before the award is made, and
then the commission, with the advice of
one or more experts. artists OF national
reputation-probably Messrs st. Gaudens
and Burnham-will make a selection of the
three best designs. To the sculptors of
these three models the sum of $500 will be
given as compensation, and to one, if any
be deemed sufficiently meritorious. the final
award will be made. 1t will probably be
haf no Jac
award Is made and the competition con-
cluded, but In the meantime the models will
be on exhibition and every one will have an
opportunity to form an opinion.
In certain particulars, 1t is< declared. a
more interesting collection of models has
never been shown In this city-a collection
which showed more diversity of style and
individuality of conception. They are all
far from stereotyped and some are con-
sidered exceptionally good. At least they
exhibit new thought, and demonstrate force
and viriity.
With the object of making the compett-
lions absolutely impartial the names of the
competitors have been removed from their
works and each Is supposed to be imper-
sonaily judged. The names Of the Jurors
give sufficient assurance of fairness, but the
removal Of the names by means oblit-
crates the sculptors' identities. The au-
thenticity Of a work Of art is determined
not by its signature, but by its manner OF
rendering, and in the modelling of these
statues the authors are disclosed To those
who are familiar with the work Of these
sculptors their names are writ large" In
their productions and TO those who are not
they would carry small meaning.
Concerning the sculptors.
1t may be interesting to know, however.
that one of the sculptors has won world
wide renown; that one has just returned
from a course of study in the American
Academy at Rome, which has just COM
pleted its million-doIla endowment; that
a third is pupil and co-worker of st. Gau-
dens, and that fourth. still young man,
has won his spurs without mentor or in
structor. The fact, too that they are all
Americans by adoption is also interesting
for in this respect they are following out
the tradition of the man whom they would
honor, and collectively are contributing
foreign-bred factor to the American art Of
today.
Concerning the models, the first to the left
of the stairs is found peculiarly noteworthy.
It shows the baron addressing and instruct
ing his troops. He wears the dress of
foreign officer, long coat, fancy waistcoat,
cooked hat and carries in his right hand
the customary staff: His head Is thrown
Is in advance Of the other, everything in
dfcates alertness and capability. The fig
is full Of action and the face expressive.
The figure possesses in itself a certain
statuesqueness and has been put together
with strength as well as cunning The
pedestal il square at its base and rises with
curved sides to an apex of diminished d.
mansions.
Conforming 1t in measure to the style
of the Lafayette and Rochambeau pedestals,
the sculptor has avoided the use or de,
tached allegorical figures, and has instead
introduced medallions of Won Steuben's COM
patriots, Capt. Dupondeau. Col. Walker, or.
at the jury's pleasure. Col. LEnfant. Above
the one Is the following inscription; These
men gave military skill and discipline to
the citizen soldiers who. fulfilling the de-
cree of heaven, achieved the independence
of the United States" And . on anot onea,
utterance. 1.-The honor of serving nation
engaged in the noble enterprise o. defending
its rights and liberties. was the motive winch
brought me to this country.
nm either side of the pedestal at Its base
are redundant pumas, and above. building
IN the design, is a book and a sword,
knapsack and scroll.
Significance in Every Detail
Every detail has significance and has
been carefully placed. but the composition
as a whole is a unit. The man. the pedes-
tai the pumas and the medallions are all
welded into one and are perfectly related
The technique IL considered charming. clear
cut. spontaneous and refined, 1t is a work
passing clever. markedly individual and
distinctly out of the ordinary.
Next In order Is a more complicated de-
sign, more military. pompous Steuben,
set upon Arm. well-proportioned pedestal,
against the sides of which lean Order,
woman, and "Va1or." man. These ale
gorical figures are finely worked out,
strongly modelled and truly subsidiary. They
and the arrangement of the memorial panel
on the face OF the pedestal are worthy of
careful attention.
Greek element has been introduced in
the figures and in the conventional Orna-
ment, probably In agreement with the
classic lines of our public buildings. There
is continuity In the handling OF this work
and fine lines in the composition.
Three models and an extra figure by a
single sculptor follow in immediate success
sion. All three use as a pedestal an unf1n-
ished column ornamented at its base by al
legorical bas-reliefs. The first Is set on a
circular platform around half OF which Is
a seat. terminated by pedestals which up
hold conventionalized eagles The second
omits the seat. but places four eagles upon
blocks at the base, and the third is without
either eagles or exedra.
The general in all of these statues is rep
resented wearing long military cape,
which hangs in multiple folds at his heels,
and in its general shape repeats. somewhat
oddly. the forms of the eagles. In one
model he holds a map or scroll in his right
hand, and lays<his left on his sword; In an
other he is ciutching his cape: In third
one foot is raised above the other, as on