DOI issue:
No. 102 (August, 1905)
DOI article:Some recent work in sculpture
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.26960#0251
&7772<? 7?tAT72^ 272 .S'c2//^/227^
SCULPTURE BY J. E. FRASER
have turned to the serious artist; and rightly pleased
with what he has already given us, we are finally
appreciating the need that is new only in being
acknowledged, and in so doing are affording the
sculptor his too long deferred opportunity.
In ancient times, as excavations now show, cities
used to bury themselves at intervals. A town of
any real standing was apparently usually six or
seven deep. Our surveyors are too active to make
this possible any longer; but we accomplish some-
thing of a similar nature by a continuous tearing
down and rebuilding, a process that makes the city
one vast studio for architect and sculptor. Even
more important is our taste for expositions, wherein
is displayed the utmost reach of our plastic per-
formance. Here we give architect and sculptor
full sweep, and they make the most of it. Each city
LII
bids fair in time to try its hand at an exposition,
and each exposition is visited and studied by every
State. It would be interesting to trace the stimulus
given to our sculpture by the fair at Chicago
twelve years ago. That its effect was most impor-
tant will hardly be denied. We go to such a
demonstration of our capabilities prone to admire
our national talents and return only better con-
vinced. Noting what can be done with a city of
staff we address ourselves to such projects as
remodelling the business section of Cleveland, or
restoring the original plan of L'Enfant for the city
of Washington with ready confidence. The exposi-
tion is our intermittent acropolis and we learn to
crave its art. There we give our sculptors a chance
to be seen in their works, and presently we find that
we cannot conveniently do without them.
There are many indications that we are at the
dawn of a splendid day in sculpture. It is not yet
universally proclaimed. But then most people
sleep late. The burden of progress rests on the
younger men and there are at least several who are
answering the call of opportunity with no equivo-
cal voice. We have, in passing, brought together
here a few random examples of the varied work of
two men who already command distinction and
whose high mark is probably still in reserve. Among
he exhibits that attracted notice at the recent exhi-
bition at St. Louis, many of our readers will recall
the spirited Indian horseman by J. E. Fraser, one
of the very youngest of our sculptors, which graced
the Court of Honor, at the foot of the cascade.
The Indian and his mount showed a virile and
self-assured touch, in interesting contrast to the
dignity and restraint of the seated figure of Jeffer-
GOLD MEDAL, LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION
SCULPTURE BY J. E. FRASER
have turned to the serious artist; and rightly pleased
with what he has already given us, we are finally
appreciating the need that is new only in being
acknowledged, and in so doing are affording the
sculptor his too long deferred opportunity.
In ancient times, as excavations now show, cities
used to bury themselves at intervals. A town of
any real standing was apparently usually six or
seven deep. Our surveyors are too active to make
this possible any longer; but we accomplish some-
thing of a similar nature by a continuous tearing
down and rebuilding, a process that makes the city
one vast studio for architect and sculptor. Even
more important is our taste for expositions, wherein
is displayed the utmost reach of our plastic per-
formance. Here we give architect and sculptor
full sweep, and they make the most of it. Each city
LII
bids fair in time to try its hand at an exposition,
and each exposition is visited and studied by every
State. It would be interesting to trace the stimulus
given to our sculpture by the fair at Chicago
twelve years ago. That its effect was most impor-
tant will hardly be denied. We go to such a
demonstration of our capabilities prone to admire
our national talents and return only better con-
vinced. Noting what can be done with a city of
staff we address ourselves to such projects as
remodelling the business section of Cleveland, or
restoring the original plan of L'Enfant for the city
of Washington with ready confidence. The exposi-
tion is our intermittent acropolis and we learn to
crave its art. There we give our sculptors a chance
to be seen in their works, and presently we find that
we cannot conveniently do without them.
There are many indications that we are at the
dawn of a splendid day in sculpture. It is not yet
universally proclaimed. But then most people
sleep late. The burden of progress rests on the
younger men and there are at least several who are
answering the call of opportunity with no equivo-
cal voice. We have, in passing, brought together
here a few random examples of the varied work of
two men who already command distinction and
whose high mark is probably still in reserve. Among
he exhibits that attracted notice at the recent exhi-
bition at St. Louis, many of our readers will recall
the spirited Indian horseman by J. E. Fraser, one
of the very youngest of our sculptors, which graced
the Court of Honor, at the foot of the cascade.
The Indian and his mount showed a virile and
self-assured touch, in interesting contrast to the
dignity and restraint of the seated figure of Jeffer-
GOLD MEDAL, LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION