Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-11-06

llc oldl VI lSUbSJIUSI y, 1000, DIlllLo
the following letter from T. H. Bart
I,&nv.t., lett, we'll known
American sculptor,
Monument who was at that time
Design the sketch etri, for av the m a,,e
ument to Gen Lafayette:
The large sketch of the Lafayette
Monument which Messrs. Falguiere and
MERCER are making for the United States
Government, to be erected in Washing
ton. is in such a state of advancement
that very complete idea can be o.
tanned OF its general character. The i'm
preston that it gives at first view is the
correct one, and a careful study of its
composition continually confirms this i'm
preston. 1t is large, handsome. human
structure, conceived and executed with
patriotic art Men like Falguiere and
MERCER naturally work for the fame of
their country more than for anything
else. Truly said, they work for that alone.
Peculiar circumstances that surround
them in this undertaking have increased,
if such a thing is possible, this sense of
a. 6lOls. lAlCS dIC lHdhAllS a
in honor of their own countrymen, to
men who carried their patriotism into a
far off land, and in favor of a suffering
cause. Lafayette and his compatriots in
America is fact OF historic pride to
every liberty-loving Frenchman. And
now that the great Republic proposes to
show its gratitude for their services, 1t
becomes an added inspiration for these
sculptors to continue in America the
fame they have already helped to give to
their own country. Rarely have such
circumstances been combined in such an
enterprise. Falguiere and MERCER feel
the occasion. and are working to make
their undertaking equal to it,
The general mass and line of the mon
ument is imposing, harmonious and
graceful The figures are in most ex-
cellent proportion with the pedestal.
Neither dominates the other. The ped
estal is very simple, thus affording a
proper contrast with the figures The
whole monument is concentrated in large
and varied planes. 1t is very human in
general design, as we'll as in detail.
DE Grasse and d'Estaing stand side by
side, on the right side of and close up to
the die of the pedestal, and instead of
appearing like two inanimate images are
engaged in conversation just as though
they had some interest in the events of
which they were part.
"Rochambeau and his companions are
on the opposite side, and are even more
animated than their brother officers, for
they seem to be in the act of starting of,
hand in hand, to offer their services to
the Colonies.
The statue of Lafayette surmountS the
monument. 1t represents him as coming
to join in the scheme of independence.
His right hand is extended toward the
observer, while his left we'll out from his
body, supports his cloak, which falls to
the ground after winding around his fig
ure to his right leg. The left hand rests
upon the hilt of his sword, the point of
which reaches to the ground. In front of
the pedestal, close to it and sitting upon
its base, is fine female figure, turning
toward Lafayette and offering to him in
her upstretched hand sword It is in
tended to represent the genius Of graft
tude who gives the patriot the sword of
honor in recognition of his services to
the Colonies.
This figure is partly nude. is beauti-
full composition of itself, goes finely with
the rest of the structure and presents an
extremely artistic contrast with the fig
ures on each side. large decorated
shield covers the front surface of the die.
ION the rear side of the monument,
and also close up to the face of the die,
are two nude infants clasping hands, as
though curiously examining the letters
on the richly ornamented shield which
covers the entire side of the die
1.-THE whole structure will stand about
80 feet high. There are a great many
details in the work that show that it's
authors are full Of pride and ardor, and
very appreciative Of the important cir
cumstances that surround them Masses
as well as details 60 we'll together. The
monument will certainly mark the begin
ming OF good epoch in monumental art
in the United States. Let us all hope
that it may continue"