International studio (27.1905/1906(1906))

The New York Custom House


GERMANY ALBERT JAEGERS
mounted on pedestals, on the Street line, represent-
ing the four great continents, America, Europe,
Asia and Africa. These four were modelled by
Daniel Chester French and are now being repro-
duced in marble. They were described in the issue
of The International Studio for July. Running
across the entire front of the sixth story will be
twelve large-sized ügures, representing the twelve
nations that have had the greatest influence on
this country. Reading from east to west they
will be placecl in the following Order: Greece and
Rome, byF. E. Elwell; Phoenicia, by F. W. Ruck-
stuhl; Genoa, by Augustus Lukeman; Venice and
Spain, by F. M. F. Tonetti; Holland and Portugal,
by Louis St. Gaudens; Denmark, by Johannes
Gelert; Germany, by Albert Jaegers; and England
and France, by Charles Grafly.
In front of the seventh story will be a cartouche
by Karl Bitter, representing the United States of

America. Over the main entrance will be another
cartouche by Andrew O’Connor. None of the
commissions for this work was given out by Air-
Gilbert through competitive modelling, but each
sculptor was selected especially for the work for
which he had shown the greatest ability.
The ügures of the nations for the sixth story
have all been modelled standing. Air. Grafly’s
France is the draped figure of a woman, wearing
the typical cap of liberty, set daintily on her flow-
ing curls. In her right hand she holds a small
statue in recognition of the important position
France holds in advancing the fine arts. At her
feet is a crowing cock, with his head thrown back,
challenging the world.
Mr. Jaeger’s Germany is the typical figure of
Germania. She wears a winged and plumed
helmet, and a cuirass with the royal eagle of Ger-
many emblazoned on its front. Under that appears


DENMARK JOHANNES GELERT

VIII