Sculpture of the Exposition Palaces and Courts | Page 4

hands meet as if in mutual dependence, while above appear the
Alpha and Omega - "I am the beginning and the end."

The Rising Sun
Adolph Alexander Weinman, Sculptor

This fresh, strong young Sun is about to start on his journey - dawn is
soon to break upon the world. With muscles stretched, the wind
blowing through his hair, the heavenly joy of the first move expressed
upon his face, the vigor of young life pulsating through his body, he
will start the chest forward and move those outstretched wings. Let us
preserve this glorious figure for our western city. It would so admirably
suggest the new light that has been shed upon San Francisco by the
Exposition of nineteen hundred and fifteen, as well as the new light
occasioned by the opening of the Panama Canal.

Descending Night
Adolph Alexander Weinman, Sculptor

The figure on the page opposite is a beautiful lyric poem. She might be
called "A Hymn to the Night." Every line of her figure is musical,
every move suggested, rhythmical. Seen at night, she croons you a
slumber song. How subtly Mr. Weinman has told you that she comes to
fold the world within her wings - to create thru her desire a "still and
pulseless world." The muscles are all lax - the head is drooping, the
arms are closing in around the face, the wings are folding, the knees are
bending - and she too will soon sink to slumber with the world in her
arms. What a fine contrast of feeling between the tense young "Sun"
and relaxed "Descending Night."

Winter

Furio Piccirilli, Sculptor

Naked Winter stands before you. It is the period of the year when the
leaves are of the trees and the bark is splitting. After the activities of
autumn man is resting. The fruits have been gathered - the golden
apples and the purple grapes - so man's labors have ceased. It is the
period of conception. The sower has just cast forth the seed. Mother
Earth will nurture the little seed until the cold winter has passed and the
warm sunshine comes again to give each clod its "stir of might."

The Portals of El Dorado
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, Sculptor

There was once among the South American tribes a belief that in a
certain far-off country lived a king called El Dorado, the Gilded One.
He ruled over a region where gold and precious stones were found in
abundance. The story influenced a vast number of adventurers who led
expeditions to seek the land of golden treasure; but notwithstanding the
fact that their searched most carefully and for long periods, they all
failed to find it. The idea of the unattainable gave the suggestion to Mrs.
Whitney for her fountain. The gold of El Dorado was used as a symbol
of all material advantages which we so strongly desire - wealth, power,
fame, et cetera.

Panel of the Fountain of El Dorado
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, Sculptor

In the panel are seen men and women in their mad race for the
unattainable. Many have had a glimpse of the Gilded One, and are

rushing on to pass the mysterious gate behind which the desires of life
await them. Some faint by the roadside or stop in their race for the goal
to contend or to loiter by the way, but those nearest the El Dorado
increase their speed. Beside the gateway that has only just allowed the
Gilded One to pass thru are two mortals who have come close to the
land of their desires, but only to find the door shut and slaves beside it
barring the way. Their strength is expended, their courage gone in the
long race for material things.

Youth
Edith Woodman Burroughs, Sculptor

A little figure of innocence and purity in all her virgin loveliness stands
before you - the incarnation of all that is fresh and wholesome. She is
only a slip of a girl and yet the dignity of her carriage betokens hopeful
days for her womanhood later on. Her form is exquisitely moulded.
Those little bony shoulders will all too soon fill out and she will bloom
into womanhood. The chief charm of this little lady is her simplicity.
Mrs. Burroughs uses such beauty of line, such sweet language to tell
her story.

The American Pioneer
Solon Hamilton Borglum, Sculptor

Erect, dignified, reflecting on the things that have been, the American
Pioneer appears before us, reminding us that to him should be given the
glory for the great achievements that have been made on the American
Continent. He it was who blazed the trail that others might follow. He
endured the hardships, carved the way across the continent, and made it