 |
Palaces and Courts of the Exposition
A Handbook of the Architecture Sculpture and Mural Paintings with Special Reference to the Symbolism
By Juliet James
"The trail is lost, the path is hid and winds that blow from out the ages sweep me on to that chill borderland where time's spent sands engulf lost peoples and lost trails."
Marian Manville Pope
A Foreword
The Pastel City by the Sea
There is a hill-crowned city by a silver sea, near a Golden Gate. For ages the water has washed from an almost land-locked bay against this hill-crowned city, and on its northern side has created of the shore an amphitheatre stretching for some three miles to the western headlands.
Behind this amphitheatre rises, in terraces, the steep hills of this water-lashed city, and in part, a forest of pines stretches to the west. Man has flanked this reach of shore by two lowering forts, and in front, across the sapphire sea, one looks onto the long undulations of hills, climaxed by grand old Tamalpais.
Just three years ago and one saw in this same low-lying shore only a marshy stretch, with lagoons working their way far into the land - the home of the seagull.
There came a time when, had you looked closely, you would have seen coming thru the Golden Gate a phantom flotilla of caravels, freighted with clever ideas.
On the vessels came; at the prows were several noble figures: Energy, Enterprise, Youth, the Spirit of the East, the Spirit of the West, Success, and in the last caravel, the stalwart Mother of Tomorrow.
They had dug and delved with mighty Hercules and had created that great gap that has severed two continents. Then, leaving their work to be finished, they had sailed on to celebrate their triumph in the Land of El Dorado, the region of their desires.
In a shallop in front of these floating winged vessels, riding on the waves, came Venus, rowed by the fairies - in her hand the golden ball of opportunity.
The mermaids, the dolphins, the little sea-horses sported in the wake of these vessels, leaving a long line of foam and silver as they sped on.
Over the waves they came to the Golden Land of the Pacific. They moored their vessels by the fort-flanked shores, and stepping out upon the haunt of the seagull, they moved boldly across this unsightly stretch of wave-washed land.
Enterprise and Energy pushed ahead: the Fairy ever flitting near. At a signal from Enterprise the Fairy turned her wheel, Venus threw her golden ball of opportunity, and lo! out of the foam of the sea rose a Venus city with the round sea bubbles resting on the roofs.
One day a man appeared on the hilltop o'erlooking this wondrous city and by his magic power, being filled with music, with color-music, he cast a spell and behold a pastel city by the sea - such an one as only those who dream could think of; a city glowing with warmth of color, with a softness and mystical charm such as only the brain of Jules Guerin could produce.
He is the conductor of this wondrous symphony, this beautiful Mozart fantasia, and if you listen, you can hear the strains of the great beautiful melodies wafted now east, now west, now north, now south, rising to great climaxes, falling back to great chords of harmony, or, in an allegro movement, causing you almost to trip with delight in the joy of it all.
Your eye is enthralled with the beauty of the coloring. One sees turquoise green domes floating in a silver-moated ether, long colonnades of glacial ice columns leading to regions beyond, where quiet silver pools throw back the mirrored glories.
Battalions of daffodils holding their long sabers stand in the South Garden, making ready for the great festival. Soon those daffodils will raise their golden trumpets and will sound the fanfare at the opening of the Great Jubilee, and up will spring two hundred thousand wide-eyed yellow pansies to look and wonder at the marvelous beauty and help in the hallelujah chorus that will be one great poeon of joy - one splendid hymn of praise.
And the blue eucalypti against the walls will lend their voices, the yellow acacias will add their cadences; while down by the great lagoon, ten thousand periwinkles will dance for joy.
Far out on the waters will be intoned to the rhythm of the waves a chorus from white-robed water-lilies, who, like a throng of choristers, will send their anthems rippling over the sun-kissed waves.
The Spirit of the East that has added its domes, its minarets, its soft-glowing colors, will remain and join hands with the Spirit of the West, that strong, pulsating energetic spirit, and the harmony produced will vibrate from the shores of the Occident to the shores of the Orient and bring about a better understanding, a great world peace.
And the world will come to listen. The great music will sound across the waters, and the world will be the better in its way of thinking, of working, of living - and all because of the great beauty. Wonderful is it to be living today, to have the opportunity of watching the beginning of this mighty growth; to be present at one of the world's greatest events.
And the pastel city by the sea will not leave us, for, as the years go on, whatever be our mission, the vision of this dream-city will float before us, leading us to finer, higher works, strengthening our ideals, and causing us to give only of our finest fiber.
Table of Contents
Foreword - The Pastel City by the Sea Ground Plan of Palaces and Courts Prayers at Opening of Exposition Chiefs of Departments Architecture and Architects Sculptors and Mural Painters Materials of the Palaces Material of the Statues Machinery Palace Palace of Varied Industries Flora of the Avenue of Progress and the Avenue of Palms Palace of Manufactures and Palace of Liberal Arts Palace of Education Aisles between the Palaces Court of the Universe Cosmical Side of the Court of the Universe Human Side of the Court of the Universe Historical Side of the Court of the Universe Ethical Side of the Court of the Universe Floral Side of the Court of the Universe Festival Side of the Court of the Universe Tower of Jewels Jewels on the Tower Column of Progress Court of the Ages North Court of the Ages Court of the Four Seasons Court of Palms Court of Flowers Italian Towers Palace of Fine Arts Palace of Horticulture South Gardens Festival Hall Color Scheme Index
List of Illustrations
"The End of the Trail" (by James E. Fraser) Machinery Palace Palace of Varied Industries Portal of the Palace of Varied Industries Portal of the Palace of Liberal Arts West Side of the Palace of Education "Thought" (by Ralph Stackpole) Portal of all the Palaces facing North Court of the Universe "The Rising Sun" (by A. A. Weinmann) "Descending Night" (by A. A. Weinmann) "Earth" (by Robert Aitken) "The Genius of Creation" (by Daniel C. French) "The Nations of the Occident" (by Calder, Roth and Lentelli) "Youth" (by Edith W. Burroughs) Part of "Fountain of El Dorado" (by G. V. Whitney) Tower of Jewels "Cortez" (by Chas. Niehaus) North Court of Court of the Universe "The Adventurous Bowman" (by H. A. McNeil) Court of the Ages "Water" (by Frank Brangwyn) Panel of "The Fountain of the Earth" (by R. Aitken) Court of the Four Seasons "The Fountain of Ceres" (by Evelyn B. Longman) "The Feast of the Sacrifice" (by Albert Jaegers) The Emerald Pool "Winter" (by Furio Piccirilli) Eastern Gateway of Court of Four Seasons Court of Palms "The American Pioneer" (by Solon Borglum) Palace of Fine Arts Corner of the Palace of Fine Arts Panel of "Pegasus " (by Bruno Zimm) Palace of Horticulture "The Fountain of Energy" (by A. Stirling Calder) Festival Hall
Palaces and Courts of the Exposition
The Prayer of Bishop Nichols
of the Episcopal Diocese of California,
Given at the Opening of the Exposition
The Blessing of God Almighty, the God of the Ages, the God of the Oceans, the God of the Continents, the God of the Genius of man and the God of every Exposition of human achievement and progress - the Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you always.
Amen.
The 148th Psalm
Read by Rabbi Meyer of San Francisco at the Opening of the Exposition
Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the Heights. Praise ye Him, all His Angels; praise ye, all His hosts. Praise ye Him, sun and moon; praise Him all ye stars of light. Praise Him, ye heaven of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Let them praise the name of the Lord; for He commanded and they were created. He hath also established them for ever and ever; He hath made a decree which shall not pass. Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps. Fire and hail, snow and vapors; stormy wind fulfilling His word; Mountains and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars; Beasts and all cattle; creeping things and flying fowl; Kings of the earth and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth. Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children. Let them praise the name of the Lord; for His name alone is excellent; His glory is above the earth and heaven. He also exalteth the horn of His people, the praise of all His saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto Him. Praise ye the Lord.
The Prayer of Bishop E. J. Hanna
of the Catholic Diocese
Given at the Opening of the Exposition
O God of our Fathers, in Whose power are the destinies of men, in Whose hands are the ends of the world, look down with loving-kindness on Thy children here gathered in Thy Name. From the uttermost bounds of the earth have we come to commemorate one of man's greatest achievements adown the ages. Make us, Thy children, realize that Thou art the source of light and of inspiration; make us realize that great things are wrought through Thee alone.
To the city of St. Francis, enthroned in beauty by the western sea, give the grace of kindly hospitality, the blessing of an ever-widening vision of true greatness, a faith and a hope that know not failure. To our glorious California give abundance of harvest, a bounteous plenty of Thy treasures and a valiant race of men blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy law. To our favored land, which is from sea to sea, vouchsafe strength and unity and that peace which the world cannot give. Make us feel that the mighty City of God rises sublime through the centuries only when built on the foundations of justice and of truth; and, finally, to all the nations here represented, grant a vision of the highest things of life - of the things that make for true progress, for real brotherhood, for lasting union, for unfailing love, for mighty achievement in time, and for that glory which is everlasting.
Amen.
The Chief's of Departments
Architects - Mr. George Kelham of San Francisco. Sculptors - Mr. Karl Bitter of New York and his able manager, Mr. A. Stirling Calder of New York. Painters - Mr. Jules Guerin of New York. Illuminators - Mr. W. D'Arcy Ryan of San Francisco and Mr. Guy Bailey of Berkeley, Cal. Landscape Gardening - Mr. John McLaren of San Francisco and his son, Donald McLaren. Inscriptions - Selected by Mr. Porter Garnett of Berkeley, Cal. Material for Buildings was originated by Mr. Paul E. Deneville of New York.
Architecture and Architects
Manager-in-Chief - Geo. Kelham of San Francisco. Court of the Universe - McKim, Meade and White of New York. Tower of Jewels - Thomas Hastings of New York. Court of the Ages - Louis Christian Mullgardt of San Francisco. Court of the Four Seasons - Henry Bacon of New York. Court of Flowers - Geo. Kelham of San Francisco. Court of Palms - " " The Italian Towers - " " Column of Progress - Symmes Richardson of New York. Machinery Palace - Ward and Blohme of San Francisco. Palace of Varied Industries - W. B. Faville of San Francisco. Palace of Mines - " " Palace of Manufactures - " " Palace of Transportation - " " Palace of Liberal Arts - " " Palace of Education - " " Palace of Agriculture - " " Palace of Food Products - " " Also all portals and aisles - " " Palace of Fine Arts - Bernard R. Maybeck of San Francisco. Palace of Horticulture - Bakewell and Brown of San Francisco. Festival Hall - Robert Farquhar of Los Angeles.
Sculptors
(The numbers indicate the other works by the same sculptors to be seen in the Fine Arts Palace.)
Adams, Herbert (3) Aitken, Robert (9) Bateman, John Beach, Chester (1) Borglum, Solon H. (1) Boutier, E. L. Bufano, B. Burroughs, Edith Woodman (4) Calder, A. Stirling (5) Cummings, Earle Ellerhusen, Ulric H. (2) Elwell, Frank Edwin Flanagan, John (3) Fraser, James Earle (7) French, Daniel Chester (4) Fry, Sherry (2) Gerlach, Gustave Gruppe, Carl Harley, C. R. Humphries, C. H. (1) Jaegers, Albert (1) Jaegers, August Konti, Isadore (6) Laessle, Albert (21) Lentelli, Leo Longman, Evelyn Beatrice (4) MacNeil, Herman A. (2) Manship, Paul (10) Newman, Allen Niehaus, Charles Patigian, Haig (7) Peters, C. Piccirilli, Furio (2) Putnam, Arthur Roth, Frederick G. R. (12) Rumsey, Charles Carey (8) Stackpole, Ralph W. (4) Stea, Cesare Tonetti, F. M. L. Walters, Edgar (1) Weinert, Albert Weinman, Adolph A. (9) Whitney, Gertrude Vanderbilt (1) Young, Mahonri (9) Zimm, Bruno L.
MURAL PAINTERS
(The numbers indicate the other works by the same artists to be seen in the Fine Arts Palace.)
Bancroft, Milton Brangwyn, Frank Dodge, William de Leftwich Du Mond, Frank Vincent (6) Hassam, Childe (37) Holloway, Charles Matthews, Arthur F. (14) Reid, Robert (3) Simmons, Edward
Materials of the Palaces
The buildings, as well as all of the statuary, are made of artificial travertine, of a smoked-ivory tone.
Real travertine is found in and around Rome, especially at Tivoli.
It is a pure carbonate of lime, a creamy white deposit formed from dripping water, in stratified form, with cavities and fissures lined with crystals.
The Colosseum and St. Peter's at Rome are both made of this material.
The imitation travertine made with concrete, and used in the second story of the Pennsylvania Station in New York in combination with real travertine of the first story, was invented by Mr. Symmes Richardson of the firm of McKim, Meade and White of New York. He also brought the real travertine to America to have it used for the first time in a large building, the Pennsylvania Station.
Mr. Paul Deneville of New York has most successfully made a plastic travertine, composed of gypsum from Nevada combined with hemp fiber and a coloring pigment, which has been applied to all of the Exposition buildings, producing a most pleasing glareless background under the sunny skies of San Francisco.
The roofs are covered with imitation tiles, since real tiles would be too expensive for Exposition purposes.
Material of the Statues
The architectural statues - that is, those directly connected with the architecture - are of smoked-ivory tone, so that you see them as part of the architectural scheme.
Those far away from the eye, used as free statues, are, in the main, golden.
Those nearer the eye simulate bronze, the special color that seems worked out from the color of the blue eucalyptus.
All the statues of the Exposition palaces and courts are of travertine, the material of which the buildings are made.
Machinery Palace
Architects - Ward and Blohme of San Francisco.
The palace is one of grandeur, dignity and great beauty.
The architecture has been inspired by such old Roman thermae as the Baths of Caracalla, the Baths of Titus and the like.
The ornamentation is of the Italian Renaissance style, worked out on a building that in form suits the needs of a great palace of machinery.
The gable points at the top of the western faade are such as one sees in the restoration of the Baths of Caracalla.
The first and only other expression of this style in America is seen in the Pennsylvania Station of New York City.
In the Transportation Palace can be seen a model of the proposed plan for a new Union Depot for Chicago, with a similar gabled effect.
The three arches reflect on the exterior the three aisles of the same portion of the palace within.
The great columns in front, and also in the vestibule, simulate Siena marble.
The entablature carried across the faces of the arches supports American eagles by C. A. Humphries.
Eagles are also seen at the corners of the Corinthian capitals. This bird of freedom can be found all over the Exposition.
Notice that Mr. Jules Guerin, the great color wizard, leads you by means of the blue ground of the capitals, the blue between the dentils, the blue between the consoles to the blue sky above.
The principal lighting is by great clerestory windows - great windows at the north and the south ends - also by skylights.
The building covers nine acres, and is the largest wooden structure in the world. It is about three blocks long.
The statues as well as the reliefs are by Haig Patigian of San Francisco.
Vigorous types like machinery itself are used.
The generation, transmission and application of power as applied to machinery are most interestingly represented.
The decorated drums of the columns show the Genii of Machinery.
The eyes of these figures are closed, reminding you that power comes from within.
Notice how from any point of view your figures suggest support at the sides of the drum.
The very position of the arms gives you a strong feeling of support.
The figures on the spandrels represent the application of power to machinery.
The figures on the pedestals represent:
1. "Steam Power" with the lever that starts the engine.
2. "Invention" showing a more intellectual type of face, carrying the figure with wings spread, suggesting the flight of thought. This thought, as it were, is above the world.
3. "Electricity" with foot on the earth, suggesting that electricity is not only in the earth, but around it. He carries his symbol, electricity.
4. "Imagination," showing man with his eyes closed - seeing within. The bird of inspiration, the eagle, is about to take flight.
The wings on the head suggest the rapidity of thought or action.
Inside this great palace one sees the latest inventions in machinery. Ponderous machines capable of shaping tons of metal, great labor-saving machines, and all sorts of electrical appliances. "Safety first" is a pronounced feature of this exhibit.
Palace of Varied Industries
Architect - W. B. Faville of San Francisco.
The high walls, averaging seventy feet to the cornice, with their respective buttresses, are strongly suggestive of the California missions of the eighteenth century.
The "California bear" and the Seal of California are in decorative and suggestive evidence at the tops of the buttresses.
The green domes on the palace belong to the Byzantine school of architecture, such domes as one sees in the mosques of Constantinople and other Mohammedan centers.
The windows seen in the corner towers are the same kind that one sees used in the majority of mosques.
The beautiful central portal, facing south, is modeled after the Portal of the Hospice of Santa Cruz at Toledo, Spain.
It is 16th century Spanish Renaissance, known as the Plateresque style (from platero, silversmith).
The columns suggest a wood origin and look as if they had been turned in a lathe.
The portal is the color of cork, illuminated here and there with niche walls of pink, and touches of ultramarine blue.
The fine figure work representing the modern industrial types is by Ralph Stackpole of Oregon, whose home is now in San Francisco. He expresses himself most simply and unaffectedly, in clear, broad treatment, and makes the ordinary workman a man to be honored and respected.
The upper figures represent an old man handing his burden to a younger man. The Old World Handing Its Burden to the Younger World, that is America, is finely suggested.
The keystone figure represents The Power of Industry, the man who both thinks and uses his hands.
In the tympanum are the types representing the Varied Industries.
In the center is Agriculture representing the food side of life. On the left a workman, possibly an architect, suggests the refinements of the varied industries, while on the right one sees the ordinary workman with his sledge-hammer, bringing to mind the rougher side of industry. In the left corner a woman with her spindle - a lamb standing near - recalls the making of textiles. Commerce occupies the right corner, holding the prow of a vessel with its figurehead.
The Workman with his pick is repeated in the four niches.
The two flanking portals are also in the plateresque style with devices of this Spanish Renaissance period represented on them.
The shields, or cartouches as they are called, have no special meaning, being only ornaments of this particular period.
The portals on the east of the Palace of Varied Industries and also of the Palace of Mines are suggestive of gateways of old Roman walled cities, like those of Perugia, for instance. This Italian type of portal is chosen since Machinery Palace opposite is in the Italian style of architecture.
Notice how the pastel pink accents the portal.
The figure of "The Miner" in the niches is by Albert Weinert, whose work in the Congressional Library at Washington is well known.
The Palace of Varied Industries has an exhibition of the more refined manufactures, those articles that are regarded more as luxuries, such as bronzes, jewelry, silverware, fine pottery, porcelains, rugs, leather work, silks, etc.
The Palace of Mines deals with the smelting of metals, a fine exhibition of different ores, and above all "Safety First" in its relation to mines. The Mines Rescue work is most interesting.
Flora of the Avenue of Progress and the Avenue of Palms
Eucalyptus globulus (blue gum). Eucalyptus robusta. Eucalyptus viminalis. Cupressus macrocarpa (Monterey cypress). Laurestinus. Australian pea vine on the palms. Muhlenbeckia (Australian mattress vine) against the base of Machinery Palace. Honeysuckle against the base of the Varied Industries Palace. Lawson cypress. Libocedrus decurrens (incense cedar). Acacia floribunda. Acacia latifolia. Albizzia lophantha. Abies menzies (fir). Picea Engelmanni (spruce). Picea excelsa (from Norway) (spruce). Pittosporum. Rhododendrons (notice how they work upon the pink walls) (for color). Cinerarias (for color). Cyclamen (for color). Dracaena indivisa (cabbage palm). Woodwardias. Japanese strawberry.
Notice Mr. McLaren's devices for covering the ground.
The lophantha lawn, it might be called, is an artificial device for producing a most lovely effect. The tree is stripped of all branches until it has attained the height of four feet, the top being trained and flattened into a head five feet across. The trees are placed close enough together so that the tops interlace, producing thereby a continuous green surface.
The veronica, buxifolia is the light green border at the side and in front of the Palace of Varied Industries.
Achanea from New Zealand and Australia is used on the banks and accords most harmoniously with the albizzia lophantha.
The abelia rupestris is the red leafed plant with pink blossoms.
Peonia moutan daikaqura is the peony.
Since the small plants in front of the permanent shrubs are changed periodically, a list of everything planted is of course out of the question.
The technical names are suggested with a few of the trees and shrubs so that you can continue this line of work for yourself.
Since the botanical names are placed on the plants in many places you can easily find what you seek.
The Palace of Manufactures and also The Palace of Liberal Arts (Since they are alike.)
The portal is Spanish Renaissance with grill work. Notice the pastel pink, turquoise blue and burnt orange on this portal. This coloring is a means of strongly accenting this fine architectural feature.
The panel (representing the making of glass, metal work, textiles, statuary, etc.), as well as the female figure holding the spindle and the male with the sledge-hammer, are by Mahonri Young of Salt Lake City, Utah.
The wall niches show elephants and lions used alternately - a fine oriental touch. The heads are used as fountains.
"Acroterium" is the Victory on the gables, many times repeated. It is the work of Frank Edwin Elwell, curator of Ancient Art, at the Metropolitan Museum of New York.
Viewing the figure from the side, you are reminded of the Victory of Samothrace. She is noticeably beautiful against the late afternoon sky and also against the blue morning sky.
You will notice that the flora is just the same in the main in front of these buildings as it was in front of the others you have seen, the grass lawn here taking the place of the albizzia lophantha.
Sweet peas, daffodils, rhododendrons, evening primroses, Japanese magnolias, coronilla are added for color.
The Palace of Manufactures shows the coarser, heavier articles, such as furniture, carpets, woolen goods, hardware. Many articles are being made in this palace.
The Palace of Liberal Arts includes all kinds of printing, book binding, engraving, photographic apparatus, especially in the line of moving pictures and color photography, theatrical appliances, musical instruments, instruments of precision, wireless telegraphy and the wireless telephone, etc.
Palace of Education
Architect - W. B. Faville of San Francisco.
There are three portals on the south in the Spanish Renaissance style, with twisted columns of the Byzantine school. Notice that the screws twist in opposite directions.
Above the central portal is Gustav Gerlach's tympanum relief "Education." The tree of knowledge is seen in the background. The kindergarten stage, the half-grown, and the mature periods are shown, the last showing the man no longer under a teacher, but working his problem out by himself.
The modern costumes, combined with the classical styles, suggest that the knowledge of today rests upon that of the old schools. Mr. Gerlach is a pupil of Karl Bitter of New York, the Chief of the Sculpture.
Below the tympanum is the open book of knowledge from which light radiates in all directions. The curtains of darkness have been drawn aside. The hour-glass says, "Improve the shining moments as they pass."
The crown awaits those who will seek knowledge.
Atop this portal is the globe suggesting that education extends around the world.
The panel on the left shows the female teacher in the center. She is instructing her hearers who discuss their interests.
This panel is by Peters.
The companion panel with the male teacher is by Cesare Stea.
Both panels are quite evident in meaning. Messrs. Peters and Stea are pupils of the Beaux Arts of Paris and the National School of Sculpture of America, respectively.
The Palace of Education and Social Economy shows developments since 1905. Comparative exhibits of educational interests of all nations are shown.
Child welfare, playgrounds, care of the feebleminded, treatment of the insane, missionary work, the Red Cross system, criminology, park systems, street improvements, methods of disposing of sewage, and many other allied subjects are interestingly worked out for public benefit.
The flora is just about the same in front of these palaces as that which you have noticed. The veronica buxifolia is grouped around the lawn at the corner of Palm and Administration Avenues.
The west side of the Palace of Education as well as that of the Palace of Food Products, has great Roman half domes above the entrances. Again your architecture at the portals is changed to suit the style of the palace opposite. The Fine Arts Palace is mainly old Roman.
These are called respectively "The Dome of Philosophy" and "The Dome of Plenty." The female figures carrying the books "Ex libris," as well as the male figures carrying cereal wreaths, are by Albert Weinert and Earl Cummings, respectively.
"Out of books comes much knowledge," says the woman.
"If you wish to be as physically strong as I am, eat my food," says the man. This figure then represents physical vigor.
The fountains of the vestibules are by W. B. Faville of San Francisco. That in the vestibule of the Palace of Food Products is strongly reminiscent of the fountain of Perugia.
The great Siena pedestals beside these palaces carry Ralph Stackpole's "Thought."
The niches have alternate groups of "Abundance" and "Triumph of the Fields," both by Chas. Harley of Philadelphia (studio in New York).
Abundance expresses to you the overflowing amount of all that we have today. Her symbol, the cornucopia, is seen on either side. Her large hands are spread out as if to say:
"I give you all that I have. Take. Choose what you will."
One certainly has a bountiful choice.
The eagle's head is on the prow of the vessel in which she sits. It surely suggests that considering all we have put before us today, we have reason for inspiration (the eagle being the symbol of inspiration).
The Triumph of the Fields shows man surrounded by the symbols of the harvest festivals when the Celtic cross, to take one case, or the standard with the bull atop, to take another, was carried through the fields at the time of the bringing in of the harvests.
Man has been the guiding hand to the bull, but the bull has really triumphed since it has actually done the work, while man receives the credit. Man has surmounted the bull, as it were.
Above is the wheel of the wain of old.
The seed in the black earth appears almost to possess intelligence. You get that idea by the head below. Has not the seed produced the bearded barley head you see represented? Does not that power of production appear to be intelligence in the seed?
Below the niches are facsimiles of old Roman baths such as one sees in the Lateran Museum, in Rome. (See picture in Bannister Fletcher's History of Architecture, page 170.)
Fronting the Esplanade are four great palaces:
The Palace of Food Products, which allows you to see how a number of our dry groceries are made;
The Palace of Agriculture, dealing with the many interests of the farmer and the orchardist, the fisheries, forestry, reclaimed land, etc.;
The Palace of Transportation, which enables one to see the remarkable progress made in automobiles, aerial navigation, ocean liners, overland trains, etc.;
The Palace of Mines, which has been spoken of before.
These four palaces have the same kind of doorway. The style is the Spanish Plateresque, the same kind of work that was used on the fine portals of the Palace of Varied Industries.
The Spanish Cavalier (by Allen Newman) is the type of man who came to America in the 16th century, during the period following its discovery. He is the type of Spanish conqueror (conquistador).
The Pirate (by Allen Newman) is the type of man who infested the shores of Spanish-America and preyed upon the commerce.
The Palaces are intimately placed for several reasons.
From experiences at previous Expositions "tired feet" are strongly to be considered, hence the nearness of the buildings.
San Francisco has a few (?) windy and foggy days in the Trade Wind Season, so if the walls are high and near together, the courts on the inside of those walls will be well protected from both winds and fogs. The high walls lift the cool air so that it passes over the buildings of the great block, thus sheltering the courts within.
-
Now that you have walked around the faades of the palaces of this great block system, you can start with your courts.
I would strongly suggest that you study all of your buildings of this group first, before entering the courts for close work.
-
The Aisles Between the Palaces
The aisle between the Educational Palace and the Palace of Food Products is called The Aisle of Spring, tho the name will probably not be applied very often, as the aisle is not important.
The flora seen here is eucalyptus, acacia, laurestinus with its white bloom, and veronica decussata with its purple flowers.
The border is cistus.
-
The Aisle of the Setting Sun is between the Court of the Universe and the Court of the Four Seasons.
The Aisle of the Rising Sun is between the Court of the Universe and the Court of the Ages.
These two aisles are very much alike, the great difference being in the flora used.
The style is Italian Renaissance and should not be called Venetian, as many have named it.
The walls are covered with a diaper design of ochre, pink and travertine.
Blue rondels are used with telling effect. They give a delightful touch of color and have a fine Italian feeling. These rondels have no special meaning, being purely decorative.
The coupled columns with different decorations have their prototypes in the columns of the churches of southern Italy.
The arched windows have interesting grotesque keystones.
Notice that the spirals of the great Siena marble columns turn in opposite directions. Think how they would appear if they all turned the same way!
Notice also the beautiful manipulation of color on the Triumphal Arches.
The latticed windows are strongly suggestive of Mohammedan work and are a beautiful turquoise green. They are among the many Oriental touches at this splendid Exposition. The area of deep pink and the burnt orange medallions must be seen to realize their beauty.
No wonder Pegasus is seen in the spandrels! Who would not mount Pegasus at such a glorious Exposition?
In these aisles are many remarkable conifers. Yews from many different countries, junipers of various kinds, pines, firs, spruces, cypresses of countless varieties, many thuyas, beside euonymus, holly, datura, India rubber, aralias, the beautiful nandina domestica, a most lovely foliage massed in the corners of the west side of the Aisle of the Rising Sun.
In March and April these courts receive glorious rich coloring from beds of California poppies and anemones, bordered with creeping juniper.
The gay spring flowers will be followed by summer annuals, and later by our autumn blossoms,
The Court of the Universe
This court, which strongly resembles the great area in front of St. Peter's, Rome, with its sweep of colonnade to right and left, was designed by the New York firm of McKim, Meade and White.
The architecture is Italian Renaissance and gives you the beautiful spirit of the old-time work. It is a wonderful court in architecture, ornamentation, color, arrangement, and above all in meaning.
In order to get the full joy of it you must pursue a regular plan and you cannot hurry. Don't try to do it all in one day. First walk thru the court to the Triumphal Arch on the right. Pass thru it and read the quotation on the right at the top of the arch.
-
The Cosmical Side of the Court of the Universe
"The universe - an infinite sphere. Its center everywhere, its circumference, nowhere." This comes from Pascal, from his Penses.
This splendid quotation gives you the infinite side of your subject.
Now pass back to the Court of the Universe and you will see ninety times repeated against the sky, A. Stirling Calder's very decorative "Jeweled Star." This will suggest the myriad of suns in our great universe (since stars are suns).
The nearest star to us, our sun ("The Rising Sun," by A. A. Weinmann of New York) then attracts the attention.
He is seen just before daybreak.
This fresh, strong young sun is just bout to start on his journey. Dawn is soon to break upon the world and with muscles stretched, the heavenly joy of the first move expressed upon his face, the wind blowing thru his hair, the vigor of young life pulsating thru his body, he will start the chest forward and move those outstretched wings.
Walk toward him and you will see him begin his journey thru space.
Now read the quotation an the Triumphal Arch of the Rising Sun:
"The moon sinks yonder in the west While in the east the glorious sun Behind the herald dawn appears Thus rise and set in constant change those shining orbs And regulate the very life of this our world."
- By Kalidasa (the Shakespeare of India).
The sun at setting is represented by a beautiful woman. The day is just about to close and with muscles relaxed (knees bent, head drooping, arms falling, wings folding) she is soon to sink to slumber, to pass from view. This is what is suggested by calling the figure the Setting Sun.
In the Fine Arts Palace, Mr. A. A. Weinmann has called the same figure "Descending Night," and that title is much more consistent and satisfactory, for how are you going to account for the youthful sun's appearing at the end of the day as a woman?
Then again the reliefs refer to "Descending Night," for they are called "The Mysteries of Dusk."
Now raise your eyes to those beautiful cameo figures on the burnt orange ground at the entrance to the colonnades, and you will be carried in thought to the Zodiac, that great imaginary belt thru which the sun and planets travel.
There you see the zodiacal figures, two and two, with their symbols, gliding thru space.
The clouds or nebulous matter is suggested by the female figures with swirling drapery, toward the end of the frieze.
In the center stands Atlas, mythologically the first astronomer. Your fancy has carried you on the wings of the wind at this very suggestion. These fourteen maids are Atlas' fourteen daughters.
Go close to the die of the fountain of the Rising Sun and look at the reliefs.
The subject is Day Triumphant. The genius of Time with hour-glass is followed by the genius of Light with flaming torch, and Energy sounds on his trumpet the announcement of the break of day.
Truth follows with mirror and sword emerging triumphant from the sinister powers of Darkness. Falsehood shrinks from its own image reflected in the mirror of Truth. Vice cowers and struggles in the coils of a serpent.
-
Walk over to the corresponding die on the fountain of Descending Night. On it are shown the Gentle Powers of the Night. Dusk envelops in her cloak Labor, Love and Peace.
Following are Illusions carried upon the wings of Sleep. Then come the Evening Mists, followed by the Star Dance and Luna, goddess of the Silver crescent. (Let me acknowledge the kind help of Mr. A. A. Weinmann in the interpretation of these reliefs.)
You have swept your mind over the cosmical side of the Court of the Universe on objects at a great distance. Come closer now to view the elements. These colossal figures of Earth, Air, Water, Fire assume a certain majesty in this Court of the Universe.
They are in horizontal composition and add greatly to the decorative, side of this inspiring court.
Earth - The sleeping Earth which yields to man wood (from the great trees whose roots ramify below the surface of the ground), stone and minerals - (man wrests thru great muscular strength these substances from the earth).
Air - That holds to her ear the star. She is listening to the music of the spheres. On her back are wings which man has fastened so that he can overcome her - a fine suggestion to aerial navigation.
The bird, the symbol of the air, is twice repeated.
Fire - His very expression of face shows you the terrorizing effect of fire. He holds his hand in the flame. The lightning plays on his right arm. Across his figure passes the salamander, the fabled reptile of the fire. (See the real salamander in the Japanese concession on the Zone.)
Water - The bellowing ocean with mouth agape lies on the tossing waves, thru which sport the dolphins.
Ocean, the king of the waters, carries the trident.
On his head and in his hands the kelp is seen.
The elements are by Robert Aitken of New York, formerly of San Francisco.
-
The Human Side of the Court of the Universe
All is now ready for man.
In the center of the Court of the Universe was to have been Daniel French's Genius of Creation, but if it is not there, we must not lose the great dominant note of this Court, so pass thru the Triumphal Arch of the Orient, thru the beautiful Aisle of the Rising Sun, across the Court of the Ages, out thru the next aisle, to the plaza in front of Machinery Palace in order to follow the story.
Here on the boulder sits the great Spirit (not a man you will notice). The hood is drawn far over the face so that a certain idealism is produced - a great spirit with wings and arms raised.
Wisdom (the serpent) encircles the throne.
The arms of the creating spirit have just been raised, the word has just been spoken and splendid manhood ready to meet the world, with modest, helpful woman, just come forth. The hands touch at the back of the group, causing you to feel that man and woman are mutually dependent.
Return to the Court of the Universe.
Now, look up at the Triumphal arches and notice Leo Lentelli's Angel of Peace with its downturned sword.
"Let there be peace throughout the world. Turn down the sword," it says.
-
A night of illumination should follow your work and you can then read under the searchlights the words on the right upper corner of the Oriental Gateway -
"Our eyes and hearts uplifted Seem to rest on heaven's radiance."
(From Hitomaro, the Japanese poet of the 8th century, A. D.)
-
Your scene is shifted for a short time.
You have passed into the Court of the Ages for a retrospect (upon the human side).
The primitive people are to be seen here on the Fountain of the Psychology of Life. Don't try to see everything in detail now, for you can come back later.
Just realize this, that the small group facing west in the fountain is The Dawn of Life, then comes Natural Selection which develops into The Survival of the Fittest, or The Development of the Militant Spirit.
This early period shows man working strongly under the power of impulse. Vanity, lust and greed seem to dominate his actions. On these primitive people pass thru life. You can see them if you look up on the Tower. On they march, in that upward climb of civilization.
Marching along with primitive man, thru long periods of time, you next meet him developed as the Crusader of the Mediaeval period. He has mounted thru war and his religion and stands at the feet of the Priestess of Religion, the last group at the upper part of the Tower.
On either side you will notice a man and a woman standing on the bodies of primitive beings. These figures represent the man and the woman of today - the man and the woman who have sprung from this primitive stock.
Don't stop in this beautiful Court of the Ages, for we shall return later to finish our story.
You have gotten connection enough now to allow you to return to the Court of the Universe.
Take a seat in the sunken garden and look up at the figures on the Triumphal Arch of the Rising Sun. The Orientals are represented by many types.
From left to right are seen:
1. The Arab sheik on his Arabian steed. 2. The Negro servitor with fruits on head. 3. The Egyptian on his camel, carrying a Mohammedan standard. 4. The Arab falconer with bird on wrist. 5. The splendid Indian prince on the back of the elephant. 6. Inside the howdah the Spirit of the East. 7. The lama from Thibet with his rod of authority. 8. The Mohammedan with his crescent standard. 9. Again a negro servitor. 10. The Mongolian on his horse.
On they come, these Orientals, to take part in the great celebration. (They are the collaborated work of A. Stirling Calder, Leo Lentelli, Frederick Roth.)
Next look up at your Occidentals on the Arch of the Setting Sun.
From left to right you see:
1. The French Canadian - the trapper. 2. The Alaskan with her totem poles on her back. 3. The Latin-American on horseback. 4. The German. 5. The Italian. 6. The Anglo-American. 7. The Squaw with her papoose basket. 8. The American Indian on his horse.
In the center is the old Prairie Schooner drawn by the great oxen.
Atop, pushing out, is Enterprise leading these men westward, on either side a white boy and a colored boy, The Heroes of Tomorrow.
In front marches that stalwart Mother of Tomorrow. It has taken all these Occidentals to produce the work that is coming in the future - the achievements due to the completion of the Panama Canal - therefore, they conjointly express "The Mother of Tomorrow."
-
These nations are now marching into the Court of the Universe and are to meet in front of the Tower of Jewels, the symbol of the Panama Canal.
Read now on the Occidental Gateway the magnificent lines by Walt Whitman:
"Facing west from California's shores, Inquiring, tireless, seeking what is yet unfound, I, a child, very old, over waves Toward the house of maternity, the land of migrations look afar, Look off the shores of my western sea, The circle almost circled."
Mr. Porter Garnett's excellent explanation you may be glad to read:
"In these transcendent lines we have the poet speaking as the personification and representative of the Aryan race, the race, which, having its origin in the plains of Kashmir, has by virtue of the spirit of conquest, the desire to be seeking what is yet unfound, finally reached the western edge of the American Continent, whence it 'faces west from California's shores' and looks toward the House of Maternity, the Land of Migrations from which it originally sprang."
"It seems hardly possible to conceive of an inscription that embodies such a tremendous thought, and is, at the same time, so appropriate to the purpose for which it is suggested. It comes, moreover, from the poet who above all others represents the spirit of the American people and the ideals of democracy."
You now feel the import of the Occidentals who, with that Aryan spirit, have with mighty power, such as Hercules alone possessed (as Perham Nahl's poster tells you) severed two continents and introduced the Panama Canal.
-
Next read the far-seeing words of Goethe in his letters to Eckermann (on the west side of The Arch of the Setting Sun):
"It is absolutely indispensable for the United States to effect a passage from the Mexican Gulf to the Pacific Ocean, and I am certain that they will do it. Would that I could live to see it, but I shall not."
-
The Historical Side of the Court of the Universe
Begin with Mr. Edward Simmon's murals on either side of the Gateway of the Rising Sun.
Facing east, the mural on the right represents The Nations That Have Crossed the Atlantic (Greece, Italy, Spain, England, France, etc.) and the special types are these:
1. The savage of the lost Atlantis. 2. The Graeco-Roman sharpening his blade. 3. Columbus, the type of adventurer. 4. Sir Walter Raleigh, the type of colonist. 5. The priest, representing the Jesuit missionaries. 6. The artist. 7. The workman. 8. The (veiled) Future listening to the Past.
The people of the old world, with all their traditions, cross the Atlantic, led by the "Spirit of Adventure" (with his bugle calling them to come).
The mural on the opposite side shows the aspirations, etc., of the group just examined.
Reading from left to right we find the men had hopes (and some false hopes - but bubbles), commerce, inspiration, truth, religion, wealth and family in their minds.
Cross to the Gateway of the Setting Sun looking at the mural on the right as you face west.
Time has moved on since those early colonists came to the Atlantic shores and now the Spirit of Abundance (with her overflowing golden cornucopia) is sounding the call for all to follow.
Many leave their homes to join the great throng that is moving westward. The wagon is laden with the necessaries of life for the new home in the western country. You see the feather bed, the old grandfather's clock that stood on the stairs, the scythe, the pitchfork and the rake for their agricultural interests, etc. On the right the young man who has said goodbye to his wife now turns to his aged parents. The mother, overcome with grief at parting, stands speechless, and the grey-haired father shakes his boy's hands and wishes him "Godspeed."
All types of men are taking the journey and you are reminded that not alone workmen and adventurers are leading the procession, but ministers, women with their refining influence, children with their school books, and college men with gown and mortar-board, with books under arms - all moving on the long journey westward.
Occupying the same position on the southern side of the arch the companion-piece, by Frank Vincent Du Mond, shows these men from the Atlantic arriving at the shores of the Pacific.
The people of the west with outstretched arms welcome the travelers. The children of the Pacific shores run with flowers and fruits to greet them. You will notice the different types arriving from the Atlantic shore - literary men (with pen and book), architects (with temple in hand), scientists (with book under arm), Franciscan friars (with crucifix and mission bells in hand), etc. These are followed by the Red Coats, indicating those who preserved order. These men are all led by the Spirit of Adventure. She is no longer in the foreground, but is ready to fall behind as soon as she has fulfilled her mission.
The agricultural interests of the western countries are suggested by the wheat and implements of the field. The heavily laden orange trees speak of the fruit industries. Does the tapir stand for South America? Surely, South America is coming into the foreground just now.
The people have now been brought to the shores of the Pacific.
-
The Panama region is the one next to be visited and you rehearse its story, standing under the Tower of Jewels, "The Panama Canal."
These are the murals of Frank DeLeftwich Dodge:
1. The Panama Isthmus is discovered. 2. It is purchased by the United States. 3. You are reminded that the great waters - the Atlantic and the Pacific - play with titanic force on either side of the isthmus. 4. The Panama Canal is completed. 5. Labor is crowned. 6. The achievements which follow are shown: (The caduceus, the wand of Mercury, the symbol of commerce, is prominent.)
-
Pass thru this Tower of jewels noticing in the eastern and also the western arcades two fine fountains.
On the left is the Fountain of Youth by Mrs. Edith Woodman Burroughs of Flushing, Long Island.
The simple, beautiful, naive figure standing on the pedestal is Youth, the United States, the child that has come from old parents (Europe).
The old father and mother have had many children - many little primroses you will notice - but none more dear than this one. The charming panels will remind you that the old people of today are being rowed by the young. These children row the vessels, bring them to shore and fasten them to their moorings.
Many of the old people are deaf or blind and are straining to follow the young who, with willing hands are guiding them on. A most charming, lovely work is this, and adds a fine touch to the open book that we are reading. Don't lose the eagle and laurel wreath back of Youth. They are significant.
Oh the other side is the fine formal fountain of "El Dorado," by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney of New York.
The fountain of El Dorado brings to mind the old Indian legend of El Dorado, the Gilded One:
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 they 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 the symbol of all material advantages which we so strongly desire - wealth, power, fame, etc.
In the panels are seen the men and women of life in their mad race for the unattainable.
Many have had a glimpse of El Dorado, 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 - rush madly on.
Beside the gateway that has only just allowed the fabled El Dorado, the Gilded One, to pass through 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. The panels of this fountain tell us in satirical language something we can profitably think over and realize if we will.
-
The Ethical Side of the Court of the Universe
After man has created the great "Isthmian Way," it is well to think on his fine ethical standards.
Read on the triumphal arches these quotations on truth, honor, justice, wisdom:
(Spain)
"Truth, witness of the past, counsellor of the present, guide of the future." (Cervantes in Don Quixote.) East side of Arch of the Setting Sun.
(China)
"They who know the truth are not equal to those who love it." (Confucius from the Confucian Analects translated by James Legge.) West side of the Arch of the Rising Sun.
(Arabia)
"He that honors not himself lacks honor where soe'er he goes." (From the "Mu'allaqua" of Zuhayr ibn Abi Sulma translated by Reynold A. Nicholson.) East side of the Arch of the Rising Sun.
(Italy)
"The world is in its most excellent state when justice is supreme." (Dante Purgatoria.) West side of the Arch of the Setting Sun.
(Siam)
"A wise man teaches, be not angry; from untrodden ways turn aside." (From the sayings of Phra Ruang, Prince Ram Khamheng of Sukhothai.) East side of the Arch of the Rising Sun.
-
Coming into this great Court of the Universe one hopes that truth, honor, justice and wisdom will be maintained.
-
The Floral Side of the Court of the Universe
This court will show a succession of beautiful bloom throughout the year. The daffodils will have their golden season, the rhododendrons their brilliant sheet of color, and in May the columns will support our various climbing roses, exhaling their perfume for all who come to this Land of Flowers.
Summer flowering annuals will follow and later the autumnal flowers.
Read the quotation on the aisle side of the Arch of the Rising Sun:
"The balmy air diffuses health and fragrance, So tempered is the genial glow that we know neither heat nor cold. Tulips and Hyacinths abound. Fostered by a delicious clime, the earth blooms like a garden."
- Firdausi.
(Annals of Kai-Kaus, in James Atkinson's translation of Shah Nameh.)
So, while thinking of a Persian garden in the quotation, we feel the applicability of these words to the California gardens.
-
The Festival Side of the Court of the Universe
There is still another side to realize in this meaningful court. The exposition is a great festival, a triumphal festival, and you meet the suggestions of it all around you.
This great court is entered on three sides by Triumphal Arches.
The Triumphal Arch of the Occident, The Triumphal Arch of the Orient, The Triumphal Arch of the Tower of Jewels.
The prototype of the triumphal arch is seen in many places, most satisfactorily today in Rome.
The Arch of Constantine is the best model for us to examine, for it has three openings - even if the shape of the side opening is not the same as that of the arches before us.
The great court is hung with festoons (on the frieze) and decorated with the vine and its grapes (on the architrave).
The bulls' heads with festoons are represented on the frieze as they once were on the altars of old when the festival, "The Feast of the Sacrifice," was celebrated. (Refer to the same subject in The Court of the Four Seasons.)
In stately procession around the sunken garden are seen the Canephori bringing their jars of nectar.
The Canephori in old Greek days were the maidens who formed part of the great processions, such an one as the Panethenaea, carrying on their heads baskets which held the consecrated temple furniture, to be deposited at the end of the long march in the temple.
Here the sculptor has taken the license of representing men with the maidens, and instead of baskets has used vases.
This idea of the festival is strongly accented at night when you are transported to old Greek and Roman days.
Follow after this procession and you will notice that Paul Manship's "Joy of Living," or "Motion," as it is also called, has entered. The joyous girls in perfect abandon are coming to join the happy throng. They bring their offerings in the shape of great wild-rose festoons, well suited to the "Wild Roses" who carry them.
Near by is Paul Manship's "Music," adding the song, and the music of the lyre.
As a last touch you will find the nations of the Occident and the nations of the Orient marching into this Court of the Universe to take part in the festival in celebration of one of the greatest events of history - the opening of the Panama Canal.
At night comes the illumination, as a climax to the festival, and gradually the lights die down and all is still - just for a few hours only, for day will dawn, for is not the Rising Sun ever with us - and another day of festivity will come, and yet more at this greatest festival that the world has ever known.
The Tower of Jewels
Architect - Thomas Hastings of New York.
Architecture - Italian Renaissance with Byzantine features.
This great Tower of Jewels symbolizes the Panama Canal, the jewel today that is most resplendent.
It is 433 feet high. In cold weather, owing to the contraction of the steel, it is said to be four inches shorter than in warm weather.
The arch is 110 feet high and 60 feet broad.
The tower is in seven lifts, surmounted by the earth with its shimmering jewels. You are reminded that the whole earth is affected by this stupendous piece of engineering (the Panama Canal).
The figures on the pedestals of the arch are by John Flanagan of New York, and they represent:
1. The Adventurer, the type of man of the 16th century who pushed out into the wilderness of the southwest. 2. The Priest, the type of man who came to convert the country in the 16th century. 3. The Philosopher, who by his fine knowledge of the Greek and Latin manuscripts was able to disseminate knowledge in the 16th century thruout the new regions. 4. The Warrior, the type of 16th century soldier who came to conquer the country.
On the first tier you meet the Armoured Horseman by Tonetti, the type of colonizer of the 16th century.
Now look at the equestrian statues that stand on either side of the Tower. That on the right is Cortez (by Chas. Niehaus), the conqueror of Mexico - the man who wrested Mexico from Montezuma for the kingdom of Spain.
On the left Pizarro (by Chas. Rumsey), the conqueror of Peru, who gained for Spain the land of the Incas.
The country north of the Panama region was conquered by the Spanish. That on the south of Panama was also the Spanish land.
It is time now to read the inscriptions on the south side of the tower:
1501
Rodrigo de Bastides, pursuing his course beyond the West Indies, discovers Panama.
1513
Vasco Nuez de Balboa, crossing the Isthmus of Panama, discovers the Pacific Ocean.
1904
The United States, succeeding France, begins operations on the Panama Canal.
1915
The Panama Canal is opened to the commerce of the world.
-
The United States has put thru the canal, so the American eagle with outstretched wings is seen as a decorative motive on either side of the Tower - with telling suggestions.
The hand of the law is governing the commerce of the Panama Canal, hence you receive that gentle reminder in the Roman insignia, the fasces.
In the old Roman days of the kingdom, as well as in the days of the Roman republic, the lictor marched in front of the head of the State carrying the fasces, those twelve birch rods with the ax, indicating punishment and then death if the laws were not obeyed.
The fasces are seen at the extreme ends of the wings of the tower.
It is interesting to see this same device used in the Liberal Arts Palace and in the Educational Palace - especially in reform exhibits or such exhibitions as the New York Educational Exhibit, where the hand of state is suggested.
The laurel wreath on the tower is another speaking motive.
The vessels push out in all directions from the Panama Canal. You get that suggestion at the corners of the third lift.
Don't lose sight of the beautiful turquoise green columns in the temple forms of the Tower. At night the aquamarines follow out the same beautiful color.
Watch, when the Tower is first illuminated with the blood glow, and you will see that it almost pulsates with life. It should, for is it not the vital part of this great Exposition?
-
Jewels on the Tower
There are some ten tons of jewels used at the Exposition.
Fifty thousand jewels are used on the Tower alone, accenting in the main its architectural feature.
These jewels are of live colors - mostly canary and white glass, ruby, emerald, aquamarine.
Mathematical calculations have been made by expert physicists to show at just what angle the jewel must be cut.
These jewels were made in Austria.
Nearly every village in Austria has its glass workers - the finest workers in their line in the world.
Sand of a peculiar quality is most carefully prepared, mixed with other ingredients, the whole being brought to a molten state.
This glass is then poured into molds.
It is taken out of the molds, the casts being carefully trimmed by hand. The principal tool used is a rotating sanded wheel.
The prism is polished by hand with tin, so as to make the facets perfectly smooth. This glass must be very hard in order to reflect sufficiently well.
The glass is called Sumatra Stone. It is tinted to counterfeit jewels. These jewels are held in place by metallic bands from which extend small arms at the back of each jewel to hold tiny mirrors which assist in the reflection.
Each jewel is suspended from a hook so that it is in constant vibration, in order to catch the rays of light most advantageously.
-
As you have now rehearsed your history and have in mind what has been done by the United States in regard to the Panama Canal (the Tower of Jewels), walk thru the Court of the Universe to the Esplanade where stands the Column of Progress.
The Column of Progress
The prototype of this column is seen in Trajan's Column in the Forum of Trajan or in the Column of Marcus Aurelius, in Rome.
Architect - Symmes Richardson, one of the junior partners of the firm of McKim, Meade and White of New York.
The bas-reliefs at the base are by Isadore Konti of New York.
The sum of all human effort is represented. Man's spiritual progress is seen on the four sides of the base.
Atlas rolling the heavens suggests the passage of time.
Men with their different ideals in the long procession of progress are seen. Some go manfully on, some fearfully, some feel the need of the sword to win their way, others find companions necessary, but all of these men and women must have faith (represented by the two meaningful women at the door), the hope of the palm of victory, and hear the bugle call as they go on their upward climb.
They pass before us, these men and women of different aspirations, and disappear from view.
Up, up they climb.
At the top of the column is Hermon A. McNeil's Burden Bearers, supporting his Adventurous Bowman.
"All must toil to win" and some must bend their backs that others may rise. Has it not been so at the Panama Canal?
Have not many done the labor that the United States, the Adventurous Bowman, may win?
This purposeful type of manhood, with magnificent decision, has just drawn the bow, and on has sped the arrow of success.
The bowman looks to see it hit the mark.
The man on the right possibly is one of his aids.
The little woman at his side will know by his eyes if the arrow has gone home, and she will then bestow upon him the laurel wreath and the palm of victory which she holds in her hand. She stands ready to help him.
-
See the group from the sea-wall directly in front of the Column of Progress for the splendid purpose expressed in the figure and on the face of the "Adventurous Bowman."
Many San Franciscans would like to have this wonderful group duplicated in bronze to remain permanently with the city of the Exposition of 1915.
The Court of the Ages and not The Court of Abundance
Architect - Louis Christian Mullgardt of San Francisco.
Architecture - If one could call this beautiful architecture by name one might say Spanish Gothic, on account of the round-arched Gothic and also the Spanish finials used, but it is so thoroughly original that this is hardly the term to use. It is Romanesque in its vaulting of the corridor, and at first glance in its great square tower, and arches, and yet not Romanesque architecture.
It is suggestive of the last period of English Gothic in its rich parallelism of vertical line - and yet is not that.
It is suggestive of the flamboyant decoration of the French architecture such as one sees and feels at Rouen Cathedral - and yet, not that, for on looking closer one sees not wavy line suggesting flame, but the wave of the kelp of the sea - and then one realizes that the vertical lines represent falling water.
The kelp is turned, looped and suspended with all sorts of lobsters, crabs, sea-turtles, octopi, flounders, etc., wriggling thru it, not seen at first, then in strong evidence, making you wonder why you had not seen them before.
The whole cloister represents the magical power of water and fire worked out in travertine, fountains and illuminations.
This court certainly shows the most marked originality in the architectural line at the Exposition. It is the conception of a man of rare invention, imagination, and marked poetic feeling. It is surely the last word in stucco. Everybody loves this Court of the Ages, and everybody wishes that we could have something permanent like it somewhere - perhaps in San Francisco. We shall all be loath to part with in when the two hundred and eighty-eight days are gone.
The arches of perfect proportions are allowed two swinging fairy lanterns apiece - a soft glow coming from them.
In the corridors are globes which at night look like lambent moonstones, casting soft light.
Walk down the corridors (not noticing the glorious murals at the ends) to observe the fine manipulation of color.
Notice that the usual pink of the walls has here a deeper tone - a terra-cotta warmth added, making a most wonderful combination with the blue vault above. The arches are of smoked ivory. Your eye catches a line of cerulean blue at your side, and up you follow the blue, until it gains its fullest expression in the square area of the groined vaulting. Notice how bands of smoked ivory play the part of transverse arches. It is so very beautiful here.
The murals in this corridor are more wonderful than words can tell. They are by Frank Brangwyn of London, and represent Earth, Air, Water, Fire.
Earth - Two canvases represent the Earth, the teeming, opulent earth giving of its fullness. Men with great baskets gather the harvests of vegetables and fruits (especially the luscious grapes in the second canvas).
Fire - One canvas shows Primitive Fire, where by means of leaves and twigs the narrow curl of smoke ascends between the trees. Men on bended knees blow the slowly burning leaves and fan the flame.
The aged draw near to feel the warmth; nearer comes the man with the little child in his arms - and, as a result, we have a homely woodland scene of primitive times.
The second representation of the same subject glows on the next canvas.
The subject is Industrial Fire. Men have made a rude furnace in which the pots are being baked. Pots of all sizes and shapes are being brought by the men and women of the neighboring region.
The great cloud of blue smoke rises in increasing breadth and height thru the trees.
Don't fail to notice the wonderful skies in these two canvases.
Water - On a portion of land between two waters men and women have sauntered down to the water's edge to fill their jars. The flamingoes, birds of the water, stand in the foreground telling you that water is near. Plants grow luxuriantly on the banks. Pregnant clouds are blown nearer and nearer. The canvas is fairly moist with watery suggestions.
It would not be hard to realize when you look at this canvas that it was done by a man who understands the art of making stained-glass windows. He cannot keep his secret from you.
The second treatment of Water - Great brawny-armed fishermen are pulling in their heavy net. In the distance come men with baskets on their heads to carry away the wriggling fish. Beyond the trees the heavy moisture-laden clouds come nearer and nearer.
Air - A great windmill such as one sees in Frank Brangwyn's etchings (for he lived during his youth in the windmill country, making what he saw around him his own).
The wind has brought the storm-laden clouds and the rain is descending. The currents of moisture-laden air are reflecting the rainbow. The wheat of the field bends far forward as the wind blows over it.
The belated harvesters (the foremost with his winnowing sieves) are blown forcibly along their path.
The many flowers bend their heads under the forward movement of the breeze. It is most interesting to notice how many devices have been used in order to make the work as suggestive as possible.
The second treatment of Air. The great trees are most noble in their strength.
Men, strong like the trees, are shooting thru the air their arrows.
A flock of frightened white birds are cutting the air, showing you why the men are there. This is a simple but clever treatment of the subject.
-
If you would know why you feel that there is something ancestral in these glorious compositions, why the strong colors are so well combined, why the canvases breathe freedom of thought and action, why the distances are so marvelously expressed, why the sky and water are just that deep wonderful blue, read Sparrow's "Frank Brangwyn" and you will soon discover, and the appreciation for the pictures will be increased tenfold.
-
Now step down into the Cloister, so that you can see well Helios, the setting sun. This was the primitive man's idea of the setting sun. He saw the sun as a man holding a huge golden ball, splashing down into the waters of the west. The serpent represents the burning sting of the sun.
You are bound to reflect here that the sun has thrown off great nebulous masses and that one of those masses has cooled and that we now call it the Earth. Yonder it is, seen at the end of the fountain, with four streams of water, from prehistoric sea life, playing over it.
Pass along to the first group beyond Helios, realizing that Robt. Aitken, the sculptor, calls this "The Dawn of Life." From right to left are these figures:
1. The Hand of Destiny Giving Life. 2. The Prenatal Sleep of Woman. 3. The Awakening. 4. The Joy of Living. 5. The Kiss of Life. 6. The Bringing Forth of Life.
The elemental feelings are here suggested.
You will then notice a gap which stands for the unknown period of history after the first "Dawn of Life."
-
Now pass to Panel 1 (facing Helios).
The central figure is Vanity, one of the compelling motives of that early life.
Following are two fine figures carrying their children, expressing the idea of the fecundity of the early races.
-
A hermes divides this panel from the next. Since in classic times a herm, or hermes, was used to mark distances on the roads, so here the hermes is used to mark distances, or periods in time.
-
Panel 2 - We now see the successors of the children of the previous panel grown to manhood. The fact of Natural Selection inflicts itself upon man. Two women are attracted to the same male, a fine intellectual and physical type. The rejected suitors are seen at the end of the panel, one in anger, the other in despair.
-
Panel 3 is called The Survival of the Fittest. This is the suggestion that physical strength decides who shall survive. We notice that chieftains struggle to possess the same woman, a woman on the right endeavoring to separate them.
-
Panel 4 is called The Lesson of Life.
Elders of experience attempt to give counsel to the love-lorn and impetuous, knowing that impulse may sometimes be a poignant foe.
Returning to Panel 1, the two figures at the right represent Lust, another of the strong forces of the early peoples.
You have now reached your first group beyond the gap.
The first figure is Greed, the third motive in this history of life. He has been holding onto the material things of life - there they are, rolled into a great ball. He realizes how futile his life has been and looks back upon the past, longing to retrace his steps and live to nobler purpose.
Then comes the old man who has the spiritual understanding, and he knows that the only hope for his companion is the realization of the spiritual, the consciousness of immortality, and so he gives to her the winged beetle, the symbol of renewed life.
The time has now arrived for her to leave her mortal life, and she passes into that sleep by which her material body is cast aside.
Thereby the man has his first sorrow. She whom he loved is gone, and he is cast down in despair - because his outlook is not a spiritual one.
The hand of Destiny has drawn these lives unto itself. The law has been fulfilled.
I have taken the liberty of culling the chief ideas from the article on the subject, written for the November "International Studio," adding a few ideas which seem consistent with the work before us.
-
This fountain, done in pierced relief, is most decorative in the Court of the Ages. It is, from a technical standpoint, a most remarkable composition.
-
The next subject for study is The Tower. Notice the small spire atop. It is like a flche on a French cathedral and helps in the French feeling which you had when you thought that you had discovered the flamboyant style, and yet, on the whole, it is more the style of Spanish towers than of the French.
Most of the figure work on the tower is by Chester Beach, formerly of San Francisco.
The groups on the tower are now to be considered.
The combined work is called The Rise of Civilization.
The lowest group is Primitive Man during that period when great reptiles, like the saurian in the foreground, crept over the earth; when man fought with huge serpents and gigantic lions.
The rude man in the center has his child on one arm, the other arm protecting his mate (not an ordinary position for the arm of primitive man).
You easily surmise that trouble is near. His look of dogged defiance tells you that he is marching forth to meet some enemy, man or beast. This is the first march of civilization - one in which brute strength plays the principal part.
-
Just above, you notice that civilization has now reached the mediaeval stage and you see the Crusader with cross on breast and sword in hand. He has reached this lofty position thru faith (represented by the priest) and war (suggested by the rude warrior). The spiritual has now been added to the physical.
At the side of the tower, holding the same position on the tower as does the Crusader, are suggestions of the crusader's tomb such as one sees in many of the English churches. The Crusader passes on and his place is taken by more advanced types.
-
On either side of the Crusader appears the paschal candlestick (which at night is illuminated).
You are approaching the altar.
Above is the Priestess of Religion, with the nimbus surrounding her head. At her feet are children holding, one a book, indicating faith, and the other the wheel, meaning progress.
-
Around the court, on the highest pinnacles, are cocks, signifying the dawn of Christianity (in reference to Peter's denying Christ).
-
Come back to the tower and you will notice a man and a woman on either side of the altar. They are rising from the primitive man and the primitive woman at their feet. They represent the man and the woman of today. In the case of the man, you will notice how primitive man holds on to him and how the man of today endeavors to shake him off. (The man of today, by the power of thought, is trying to shake the rude brutish nature off.)
(These figures are by Albert Weinert.)
-
Primitive Man and Primitive Woman, by Albert Weinert, are seen as finials around the court. He is a simple hunter, or a man whose pastime consists in such amusement as feeding fish to the pelican. She is a woman whose chief work is to rear children.
Leo Lentelli's Aquatic Maids are grouped at the bases of the columns in front of the tower. It was at first planned to have the fountains play to the tops of the columns on which sit the aquatic maids shooting their arrows into the waters, but a change in the plans left the aquatic maids high and dry, hence your wonderment at why they sit aloft.
(Leo Lentelli was born in Bologna, Italy, but now lives in New York).
The Italian cypresses, tall and slender, stand like sentinels in front of the arches.
Orange trees, ten feet in height, heavy with fruit, stand in opulence before the cypresses.
Balled acacias, with repeated regularity of shape, produce in this charming cloister a delightful formalism.
Solid beds of pink hyacinths add a glowing touch of color in this beauteous garden.
The creeping juniper is the border used.
The cistus is the border used around the other beds. Under the trees are planted calceolarias, gebara, Shasta daisies, potentilla, columbine, and many other showy flowers.
The conventional standards at the south end of the cloister are aids in the illumination.
This court is most beautiful at night.
The tower, in white light, has the glowing candlesticks in striking evidence.
Great clouds of seeming incense rise constantly from the altars ranged around the court. Fiery serpents belch fire into the basins below. Beneath the world and around it rises the steam, which is marvelously illuminated.
-
The North Court of the Ages
Eucalypti, acacias, English laurel and veronicas are banked close together in this court. Great beds of orange eschscholtzia, the California poppy, make this court a veritable Field of the Cloth of Gold.
The creeping juniper is the border used.
Sherry Fry's "Listening to the Sound of the Ages" stands in this court with her shell to her ear. She listens to the stories that the sea has told the shell, and wonderful, very wonderful, is what she hears.
-
Since the first issue of this book I have received in written form Mr. Mullgardt's own wonderful interpretation, which I hereby append with his kind permission. I shall not correct my work, for it will be interesting to compare the work of a layman with that of the initiated:
San Francisco, April 19, 1915.
The Court of the Ages A Sermon in Stone
"The Court of the Ages" is 340 feet square. The surrounding walls are 75 feet high. The Tower is 200 feet high. The floor of the Court declines to the central Basin, affording the observer a full view of the surroundings. The arcaded and vaulted Ambulatory extends continuously around the four sides. The floor of this Ambulatory is elevated above the upper floor level of the Court for the convenience of observers. Its architecture has not been accredited to any established style.
The Court is an historical expression of the successive Ages of the World's growth. The Central Fountain symbolizes the nebulous world with its innate human passions. Out of a chaotic condition came Water (the Basin) and Land (the Fountain) and Light (the Sun supported by Helios, and the Electroliers). The Braziers and Cauldrons symbolize Fire. The floor of the Court is covered with verdure, trees, flowers and fruits. The two Sentinel Columns to the right and left of the Tower symbolize Earth and Air. The eight paintings in the four corners of the Ambulatory symbolize the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water. The Central Figure in the North Avenue symbolizes "Modern Time Listening to the Story of the Ages."
The decorative motifs employed on the surrounding Arcade are sea plant life and its animal evolution. The conventionalized backbone, the symbol for the vertebrates, is seen between the arches. The piers, arches, reeds and columns bear legendary decorative motifs of the transitional plant to animal life in the forms of tortoise and other shell motifs - kelp and its analogy to prehistoric lobster, skate, crab and sea urchin. The water-bubble motif is carried through all vertical members which symbolize the Crustacean Period, which is the second stratum of the Court.
The third stratum, the Prehistoric Figures, surmounting the piers of the Arcade, also the first group over the Tower Entrance, show earliest forms of human, animal, reptile and bird life, symbolizing the Stone Age.
The fourth stratum, the second group in the Altar Tower, symbolizes human struggle for emancipation from ignorance and superstition in which Religion and War are dominating factors. The kneeling figures on the side Altar are similarly expressive. The torches above these Mediaeval Groups symbolize the Dawn of Understanding. The Chanticleers on the finials surrounding the Court symbolize the Christian Era. The topmost figure of the Altar symbolizes Intelligence, "Peace on Earth, Good Will Towards All" - the symbols of Learning and Industry at her feet. The topmost figure surmounting the side Altar symbolizes Thought.
The Arched Opening forming the inclosure of the Altar contains alternating Masks expressing Intelligence and Ignorance in equal measure, symbolizing the Peoples of the World.
A gradual development to the higher forms of Plant Life is expressed upward in the Altar Tower, the conventionalized Lily Petal being the highest form.
L. C. Mullgardt.
Court of the Four Seasons
It will be noticed that this court is planted mainly with grey-green foliage, the banner poles being of the same color.
Flora
Olive trees. Choisya ternata. High-grade acacias. Coprosma (from Chili - a shiny-leafed shrub on north front). Eucalypti. Cotoneaster bufolia (border). English yews in couples of three groups. Cypresses. English laurel.
-
Architect - Henry Bacon of New York.
Architecture - Italian Renaissance.
There is a strong feeling of the architectural influence of Hadrian's Villa, near Rome, when the eye rests on the half dome and also on the treatment of the columns in front of the fountains of the seasons.
This is one of the chief beauty spots of the Exposition. A quiet, reposeful, happy place where birds have built their nests and where they sing their carols of spring.
As you pass into this court from the bay, or north side, your attention is drawn almost immediately to the bucrania, or bulls' heads, between festoons of flowers.
This is only a Renaissance motive, but the mind wanders back to the harvest festivals of olden days, when, after the great harvest procession was over, the bulls were sacrificed to the gods as a reward for the abundant harvest. The same idea is worked out in "The Feast of the Sacrifice," the magnificent bull groups atop the pylons (by Albert Jaegers), where youths and maidens lead the bulls in the harvest procession. Great garlands suggest the festivity. |
|
