PICTURESQUE WORLD’S FAIR. AN ELABORATE COLLECTION OF COLORED VIEWS
Page 47 – THE FRENCH STATUE OF THE REPUBLIC
THE FRENCH STATUE OF THE REPUBLIC.—The majestic gilded figure which stood at the east end of the great basin in the court of Honor, and which typified the nation inviting her sisters of the world, was not the only representative statue of a Republic to be seen at the Exposition. On the east side of the broad thoroughfare known as Columbia Avenue, in the Manufactures Building, and facing the main portal of the French display, stood the heroic statue representing the French Republic. Of splendid proportions, cast in bluish bronze and a recognized masterpiece of art, the beautiful creation well fulfilled its idea as indicating the spirit of the nation from which it came. France, with one hand upreared as if commanding attention and an audience, appeared appealing to the world for the rights of man. Moral force should be the agency—so said the attitude and the expression of countenance—but, that failing, there was the sword grasped in the left hand in which was also held the tablet containing the law of equality and fraternity. As the expression of an idea it could scarcely be surpassed by any of the vast number of great works exhibited, and in the position it occupied it appealed to the senses with added force. It had all the merit of French artistic development and the perfect conveyance of an impression, which is part of the duty of sculpture. It was France.
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