1893 Expo Sculpture

Notable Sculpture at the World's Columbian Exposition

Columbia Fountain

Constructed by Frederick MacMonnies in staff and located in front of the Administration Building, the Columbia Fountain was at the center of the Court of Honor of the White City. The sculpture featured Columbia enthroned on a triumphal barge guided by Time and heralded by Fame. She was rowed by four figures on each side, representing Science, Industry, Agriculture, and the arts. The barge was preceded by eight mounted seahorses and the water was sprayed from a semicircle of dolphins at the rear. The sculpture was placed upon a circular, 150 foot diameter base. Excluding the base, the cost of this fountain was $150,000.

Republic

Constructed by Daniel Chester French, the 65 foot tall sculpture faced the Administration Building in the Court of Honor of the White City. The sculpture featured the figure, with hands and arms upraised. The right hand held a globe, upon which an eagle sat. The left hand grasped a pole with the liberty cap on its top. The head, neck, and arms were finished with an ivory finish, and the balance of the form, including drapery, was bronzed or gilt. There were electric lights that shone out at night from the diadem.

Peristyle

A Greek colonnade 500 feet long and 100 feet high. It connected the Casino and the Music Hall. The top was adorned with 85 allegorical figures designed by Theodore Baur.. The center was broken by a triumphal arch 20 feet higher than the colonnade that supported the Columbus Quadriga

Columbus Quadriga

The Columbus Quadriga was designed by Daniel Chester French and E. C. Potter and sat upon the Peristyle. It featured a 14-foot high Christopher Columbus standing in a four horse chariot (Quadriga). The horses were lead by women and the quadriga had mounted heralds accompanying it on each side.

Other

1. Reproductions of the Columbus ships.

2. Electric fountains: water was shot out 150 feet high from fountains at each side of the Columbia Fountain. The $45,000 fountains featured colored lights at night.

3. Throughout the site, sculptures of native wild animals such as buffalo, pumas, bears, elk, and moose created by Edward Kemeys and A. P. Proctor can be found. Enormous sculpted lions were to be found near the lagoon.

Bruce R. Schulman

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