Studio: international art (45.1909)

Prize Designs for Reformation Monument, Geneva

FIRST PRIZE (“ LE MDR”)

MM. MONOD & LAVERRIÈRE, TAILLENS & DÜBOIS, ARCHITECTS

M. REYMOND, SCULPTOR

mark that event by the erection, in honour of the
Reformer’s work, of a monument planned on broad
historical lines, recalling to the public mind, in a
manner at once popular and durable, the names
and influence of the Reformers in all parts of thé
world.

“The monument should be in celebration less
of a man than of an idea, but at the same time an
historical monument, the commemorative value of
which should be drawn from history—represent,
that is to say, figures and facts, both precise and
concrete, as expressive as possible of the reality.

“It should be a popular monument which all can
easily understand, and in keeping with the general
instruction on the subject
given in schools, the main
idea of the Committee being
that of a monument which
shall serve as an object-
lesson alike to the Gene-
vese and to foreign visitors.

This double character
necessitates a monument in
which sculpture plays the
principal part and allegory
almost none, and the essen-
tial feature of which should
be historical figures. As
to these, the statue of
Calvin should, of course,
be amongst them ; but as
the [monument is not to be,
in the strict sense 'of the
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word, erected to him, it is necessary that the
figure of the Reformer should be surrounded by
the figures of his most influential co-workers and
followers in Geneva and throughout the whole
Protestant world.

“ This group should only evoke the individuals
as dominated by the idea, and the more compre-
hensive and representative it is the more will it
contribute to the commemoration of the work of
the Reformers.

“ This leads to another and fundamental character
of such a monument ; it should be international.
Around or by the side of the Reformers should
be devised a memorial of those statesmen and