Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-01
A YEAR OF SCULPTURE.
By Frederic J. Haskin.

The development of the city beauti-
full movement throughout the country
has served to make the past year a
most notable one in the field of monu-
mental sculpture. While for many
years some towns and cities have made
desultory attempts to improve their
appearance by scattered pieces OF
statuary, there never before has been
so systematic an effort in this direc-
ton. The year 1911 will be noted not only
for the number of statues erected in
the United States. but also for the
care taken in the selection Of their
location. Ambassador Bryce Of Great
Britain called attention to this In a
recent address, stating that in the de-
velopment Of civic beauty American
cities are making more rapid strides
than those of Europe.
The appointment of federal art
commission by President Taft was an
official recognition of the need of eN-
perts for the placing, as well as the
selection, of monuments which are to
stand as indicative of the national
taste. This commission includes three
architects, a landscape architect.
painter d sculptor and layman
While professional advice upon all
other subjects has always been con-
ment has never, before the appoint
ment of this commission. acknowl-
edged the need of expert advice upon
art matters. While the appointment
advance step by the art lovers OF the
nation, they feel that it's lack OF au-
thority is serious handicap. It's pow
ers are only advisory.
One of the first matters to which
the commission has given considera-
ton is the
Lincoln Memorial design and
Up for Consideration. the e' mu G h
discussed Lincoln memorial. for
which Congress has appropriated ST.
100000 The general consensus OF
opinion is that this memorial should
take the form of a majestic monument
to be erected upon suitable site In
the capital. although the building OF a
memorial road has been suggested 1t
is most probable. however. that mon
ument will be selected and a sugges-
tive design for it has been submitted
to the commission. 1t represents an
architectural piece with broad horl-
zontal lines so that it will not con-
fiict with the Washington Monument
Washington is rapidly reaching a
place where its artistic beauty Is given
world wide recognition. The coming
year will likely see the completion and
erection of the magnificent Columbus
memorial. upon which dorado Taft has
been working for months. 1t repre-
sents Columbus, wrapped in heavy
cloak. standing in the Prov Of his yes
sell Several Indian figures are intro
duced. which are said to represent
most accurately the racial character
istics of the aborigines.
Mr. Taft is especially fond of model
ing Indians. and one of the few CO.
lossal statues in the western hemls-
phere is the work of his hand. 1t
represents the famous Indian chief
Blackhawk. and is forty-seven feet
high 1t stands on a high bluff over
looking Rock river. Illinois. and was
unveiled last summer in the presence
of a large gathering of distinguished
artists and laymen. a beautiful foun-
tain known as the Trotter memorial
fountain has been erected recently in
Bloomington, Ill. This was also mod
eled by Mr. Taft 1t represents several
| sturdy Indian children at play at the
| base of a heavy shaft.
Another colossal statue designed this
wear is to be erected in New York as