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136. Picturesque World’s Fair – Birds-Eye View of the Columbian Fountain

BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF THE COLUMBIAN FOUNTAIN.—It was a merit of the famous Columbian Fountain and one indicative of its quality as a great work of art that it was beautiful from whatever direction a view of it might be taken. So perfect were the relations of its parts that even a bird’s-eye view gave something symmetrical and picturesque In the illustration, the observer being almost directly north and at a slight elevation, minor details of the barge are not perceptible, but all the figures show plainly, and the relation of the fountain to its surroundings is made pleasantly apparent. The background of Machinery Hall to the right, and the Farmers’ Bridge, the South Colonnade and the Agriculture Building to the right, serve to bring out with no loss of impression the lighter glories of the fountain in the foreground. It is in action, and the foamy spray of the jets, the rippling about the Barge of State and the falls to the basin below have been reproduced with all their delicate effect, both in the photograph and in the picture.- The Neptune column, the Obelisk with its guardian lions, the arch of the Colonnade and the west entrance to the Agriculture Building are outlined distinctly, and add to the interest of the view so full of artistic objects. Even the animal figures, the elk in the foreground, the buffalo upon the Farmers’ Bridge and the bullock in the Statue of Plenty may be seen dimly in the distance. The Columbian Fountain stood certainly in the midst of a wealth of works of art.

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