The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, February 18, 1900, Page 12

THE BroNnze VASE IN FRONT OF THE Py THE SUNDAY CALL. HE sculptor has one advantage over his brother in art, the painter, for his work can be placed where he who runs may see it, or shut his eyes, while the painter must hide his work away where it meets the eyes of those only who care to seek it. Of course, this ot mean that finer pecimens of which are in our Park Museum, but the more enduring 1f less beautiful work which 1s found scat about the park from the spot not far from the entrance whers stands the bronze figure of Halleck to tho hill far out on the north drive where the huge Prayer-book Cross rises against the sky. There may be some among these which can hardly be called artistic, but others have been praised by men who are fa- milfar with the famous statues of the world. One of these renowned judges spoke words of highest praise of the beautiful figure which stands directly in front of the museum, the “cider press” drinking fountain; ani no more lovely object of its kind can be found than the big bronzs vase with its decorations of Fauns, Cuplds and elves draped with vines and hiding behind leaves which faces it on the pavement befors the door of the museum. Another figure which repays the visitor is the one which marks the spot where was turned the first sod to prepare the ground for the fair. Modern dress—particularly the dress of the modern man—does not lend itself gracefully to the sculptor’s art. Thers- fore the standing figures of the Garfleld monum of that erected to Thomas Starr King and the ofle to General Hal- leck can hardiy be called objects of art, though in the case of General Halleck the sculptor got over his difficulty in a measure draping a wide cloak toga fashion arc the figure, hiding the most awkward lines of the costume. But nothing was hidden, nothing dis- gulsed in the bronze flgure of martyred Garfleld, and but for the adjuncts this monument would be unpardonably ugly. The pose, the dress and the eituation are all as bad as possible, but the building up of the pedestal on its several differing levels takes the eye from the defects of the crowning figrre, and the mourning figure seated on the top of the pedestal, half way between the ground and the statue, intended to be the principal object, s more often spoken of than is that crowning the monument. The Starr King monument stands lower, theratore’ the fig ppears better than does that of Garfield, although this also is marred by its dress The Key memorial at the head of the level stretch befors the present music stand ranks between these and the finer onas. It is more ornate in design and the figure being seated and In older dress makes it & more picturesque object than those before mentioned. While the dress of Douglas Tilden’s “Ball Player” is most emphatically mod- ern, ths life and action of the figure are enough to hide all deficiencies of that lcina This 1s the only statue in the park hich is lifelike enough to deceive one in photograph. If one who had never THE BroNzE CuPIDS AT ENTRANCE OF MUSEUM ... seen the statue was shown a photograph of the figure without its pedestal and told taken from a living model on the ball ground he would never dream of doubting the truth of the statement. The bust of Grant near the museum draws attention and deserves it. Being @ bust the dress does not detract from its appearance, and the objects placed at the foot are gracefully arranged and appro- priate. Away to the rignt of the north drl just opposite the boathouse rear 3 , stands the huge granite cross given George W. Childs to commemorate the first service of the E on this coast—at Dr. about June 24, 157. The cross stands h above the drive, on a hillock which is belng cut away, and the path leading to the hiilock top is rough and evidently not often trod- den. The cross ftself is a grand object, seen against the sky from all sides, and it seems a pity that the ground should be cut from under it. Perhaps it is not intended to cut much nearer than has al- ready been dc These are all the statues to be found in the open park, and those within the museum’s walls of course are far more valuable cither as stydies in art or in money value, but there are hundreds who see those scattered about the grounds to one who visits the museum. There are many spots about the park where other statues could be placed to advantage, and there have been several different schemes proposed for placing statues of half a dozen different noted men. It takes a good while to talk the public up to the point, as is proved by the length of time between the death of Grant and the placing of his bust on its pedestal, but probably within the next two vears two or more other statues will be placed in the park. There 1s room for many others, as well as for several other improvements which will probably have to bo done by elther gift, bequest or popular subscription since the regular fm- provements and enlargement of the park proper take all the appropriation for the keeping up of the place. There have been several gifts which bave added much to the beauty of the city’s playground, BEGINNING OF WORK ForR. MID. WINTER FAIR. The greatest of these gifts is the $80,000 given this year by pu pirited Claus Spreckels, and which s now bang used to erect a music stand, which, when fin- ished, will be second to none in tho coun- try. Next in amo stands the $50,000 bequeathed by Ser haron, in 1586, for the buildt the 1 e at the children’'s playground. The building is one worthy of its situation, and is a grand monu- ment to the generosity of the donor. C. P. Huntlngton gave $25,000 In 1592, which was used to make the very natural 4 gleam out white the green of Strawberry Hill the w: r is allowed to flow over rocks), and which bear the name of e man whose gift enabled the Commis- sioners to add this feature of beauty te the hillside. It is popularly supposed that the lake on the side of Strawberry Hill was a gift from W. W. Stow, but this is a mistake. The work was done and pald for by the Park Commissiorers from the regular ap- propriation. The observatory crowning the hill was bullt In 1891 by the generosity of Thomas Sweeney at a cost of $15,000. These are all the gifts to the park so far, but it Is hoped that the example set may be followed by other wealthy pub- lc-spirited citizens. When the panhandle is extended to Market street there will be many choice sites which should be adorned by some beautiful statue, either a memorial of some noted man or a mere object of beauty, and surely there are men in the city who will come forward and donate sums sufficient to add these touches of beauty to the work planned already by the authorities. There should be also several arched en- trances to the park. Several times it has been reported that this or that one was about to donate money for the purpose of erecting such an entrance, but it has not yet materialized. The grand lodge at the entrance, the mu- seum, the beautiful boathouse on the hill, the children’s lodge—thess are all last- ing monuments. There should be others, There is room enough in the park to use all the funds which may be donated. Who will he next cn the roll of givers to the park? MABEL H. CLOSSON