Sculptures
In addition to the more than 800 sculptural works exhibited in galleries of the Palace of Fine Arts and those that ornamented the great exhibit halls, sculptures also filled the grounds of the White City. Nearly all of the outdoor sculptures were made of staff; only a few were cast in bronze after the Fair. The team of artists who decorated the Columbian Exposition fairgrounds either came from the ranks of America’s leading sculptors or would soon ascended to prominence by their work for the Exposition.
Explore each of the sculptures using the interactive map below. Click on a number to open an image, summary information, and links to posts and pages about the sculpture and its author. This map presents only those sculptures around the Grand Basin and Lagoon that were not associated with a specific building. Note that many sculptures lacked official titles, and guidebooks and histories offered a variety of names.
Great sculptures in the Court of Honor
1. Statue of the Republic by Daniel Chester French
2. Columbia Fountain by Frederick MacMonnies
3. Rostral columns designed by Charles B. Atwood and Edward C. Shankland, decorated with “beaks” by Lorado Taft; each surmounted by Neptune by Johannes Gelert (one sculpture, repeated six times)
Native animal sculptures around the Grand Basin and Lagoon
4. Lion by M. Arthur Waagen
5. Bull with Maiden by Daniel Chester French and Edward Potter (two sculptures, two copies of each)
6. Draught Horses by Daniel Chester French and Edward Potter (two sculptures, two copies of each)
7. Buffalo by Edward Kemeys (two sculptures, one copy of each)
8. Grizzly bears by Edward Kemeys (two sculptures, one copy of each)
9. Panthers by Edward Kemeys (two sculptures, one copy of each)
10. Moose by A. Phimister Proctor (two sculptures, two copies of each)
11. Polar bears by A. Phimister Proctor (two sculptures, two copies of each)
12. Jaguars by A. Phimister Proctor (two sculptures, two copies of each)
13. Elk by A. Phimister Proctor (two sculptures, four copies of each)
14. Cowboy on Horse and Indian on Horse by A. Phimister Proctor (two sculptures, one copy of each)
rostral column
Rostral column (one of six) designed by Charles B. Atwood and Edward C. Shankland, decorated with “beaks” by Lorado Taft; each surmounted by Neptune by Johannes Gelert
rostral column
Rostral column (one of six) designed by Charles B. Atwood and Edward C. Shankland, decorated with “beaks” by Lorado Taft; each surmounted by Neptune by Johannes Gelert
rostral column
Rostral column (one of six) designed by Charles B. Atwood and Edward C. Shankland, decorated with “beaks” by Lorado Taft; each surmounted by Neptune by Johannes Gelert
rostral column
Rostral column (one of six) designed by Charles B. Atwood and Edward C. Shankland, decorated with “beaks” by Lorado Taft; each surmounted by Neptune by Johannes Gelert
rostral column
Rostral column (one of six) designed by Charles B. Atwood and Edward C. Shankland, decorated with “beaks” by Lorado Taft; each surmounted by Neptune by Johannes Gelert
rostral column
Rostral column (one of six) designed by Charles B. Atwood and Edward C. Shankland, decorated with “beaks” by Lorado Taft; each surmounted by Neptune by Johannes Gelert
Bull with Maiden (Plenty)
Bull with Maiden (Plenty) by Daniel Chester French and Edward Potter
(one of two copies)
description: a female figure (designed by French) representing an American Indian maiden and holding stalks of corn, the Indians’ gift to the New World, standing on the left side of a short-horned bull (designed by Potter)
location: landing on the Grand Basin, north of the Agriculture Building (on east pedestal)
Bull with Maiden (Plenty)
Bull with Maiden (Plenty) by Daniel Chester French and Edward Potter
(one of two copies)
description: a female figure (designed by French) representing an American Indian maiden and holding stalks of corn, the Indians’ gift to the New World, standing on the left side of a short-horned bull (designed by Potter)
location: landing on the South Canal, west of Agriculture Building (on north pedestal)
Bull with Maiden (Bounty)
Bull with Maiden (Bounty) by Daniel Chester French and Edward Potter
(one of two copies)
description: A female figure (designed by French) representing Ceres, the Roman Goddess of grains, holding a staff, standing on the right side of a short-horned bull carrying wheat (designed by Potter)
location: landing on the Grand Basin, north of the Agriculture Building (on west pedestal)
Bull with Maiden (Bounty)
Bull with Maiden (Bounty) by Daniel Chester French and Edward Potter
(one of two copies)
description: A female figure (designed by French) representing Ceres, the Roman Goddess of grains, holding a staff, standing on the right side of a short-horned bull carrying wheat (designed by Potter)
location: landing on the South Canal, west of Agriculture Building (on south pedestal)
Draught Horse (Industry)
Draught Horse (Industry) by Daniel Chester French and Edward Potter
(one of two copies; also called Labor)
description: A farmer (designed by French) carrying a shovel stands on the right side of a draught horse that looks down (designed by Potter).
location: landing on the Grand Basin, south of the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building (on east pedestal)
Draught Horse (Industry)
Draught Horse (Industry) by Daniel Chester French and Edward Potter
(one of two copies; also called Labor)
description: A farmer (designed by French) carrying a shovel stands on the right side of a draught horse that looks down (designed by Potter).
location: landing on the South Canal, east of Machinery Building (on north pedestal)
Draught Horse (Farmer’s Plowboy)
Draught Horse (Farmer’s Plowboy) by Daniel Chester French and Edward Potter
(one of two copies; also called Horse and Attendant and Negro with Horse)
description: A plowboy (designed by French) wearing a vest stands on the left side of a draught horse that looks forward (designed by Potter).
location: landing on the Grand Basin, south of the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building (on west pedestal)
Draught Horse (Farmer’s Plowboy)
Draught Horse (Farmer’s Plowboy) by Daniel Chester French and Edward Potter
(one of two copies; also called Horse and Attendant and Negro with Horse)
description: A plowboy (designed by French) wearing a vest stands on the left side of a draught horse that looks forward (designed by Potter).
location: landing on the South Canal, east of Machinery Building (on south pedestal)
A Prairie King
A Prairie King by Edward Kemeys
(Also called bison)
description: a bull buffalo walking, with its front left leg forward and head slightly lowered.
location: west end of the Farmer’s Bridge, connecting north sides of the Machinery Building and Agricultural Building (on the north pedestal)
At Sound of the Whoop
At Sound of the Whoop by Edward Kemeys
(Also called bison)
description: a cow buffalo stands, with legs even and head lifted.
location: west end of the Farmer’s Bridge, connecting north sides of the Machinery Building and Agricultural Building (on the south pedestal)
Old Ephraim
Old Ephraim by Edward Kemeys
description: a male grizzly bear standing and looking to his left
location: east end of the Electricity Bridge, connecting the south sides of the Electricity Building and Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building (on the north pedestal)
A Grizzly Grave-digger
A Grizzly Grave-digger by Edward Kemeys
description: a female grizzly, almost seated, looking down at the head of a wild sheep she is rolling between her huge forepaws
location: east end of the Electricity Bridge, connecting the south sides of the Electricity Building and Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building (on the south pedestal)
The Still Hunt
The Still Hunt by Edward Kemeys
description: a male American panther, crouching and ready to spring at its prey
location: west end of the Manufactures Bridge, connecting the north side of the Electricity Building and center of the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building (on the north pedestal)
At Bay
At Bay by Edward Kemeys
description: a female American panther, partly risen with planted forefeet and with mouth open displaying her fangs.
location: west end of the Manufactures Bridge, connecting the north side of the Electricity Building and center of the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building (on the south pedestal)
Moose a
Moose by A. Phimister Proctor
(one of two copies)
description: a bull moose having larger antlers standing with its left leg forward and looking forward
location: east end of the Farmer’s Bridge, connecting north sides of the Machinery Building and Agricultural Building (on the north pedestal)
Moose a
Moose by A. Phimister Proctor
(one of two copies)
description: a bull moose having larger antlers standing with its left leg forward and looking forward
location: west end of the bridge connecting the south end of the Horticultural Building and the Wooded Island (on the south pedestal)
Moose b
Moose by A. Phimister Proctor
(one of two copies)
description: a bull moose having smaller antlers standing with its right leg forward and looking to its right
location: east end of the Farmer’s Bridge, connecting north sides of the Machinery Building and Agricultural Building (on the south pedestal)
Moose b
Moose by A. Phimister Proctor
(one of two copies)
description: a bull moose having smaller antlers standing with its right leg forward and looking to its right
location: west end of the bridge connecting the south end of the Horticultural Building and the Wooded Island (on the north pedestal)
Polar Bear a
Polar Bear by A. Phimister Proctor
(one of two copies)
description: a polar bear looking up, with its left leg slightly forward
location: west end of the Electricity Bridge, connecting the south sides of the Electricity Building and Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building (on the north pedestal)
Polar Bear a
Polar Bear by A. Phimister Proctor
(one of two copies)
description: a polar bear looking up, with its left leg slightly forward
location: landing on the Lagoon at the north-west corner of Manufactures Building (on the south pedestal)
Polar Bear b
Polar Bear by A. Phimister Proctor
(one of two copies)
description: a polar bear looking down and to its left, with its right leg forward
location: west end of the Electricity Bridge, connecting the south sides of the Electricity Building and Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building (on the north pedestal)
Polar Bear b
Polar Bear by A. Phimister Proctor
(one of two copies)
description: a polar bear looking down and to its left, with its right leg forward
location: landing on the Lagoon at the north-west corner of Manufactures Building (on the north pedestal)
Jaguar a
Jaguar by A. Phimister Proctor
(one of two copies)
description: a jaguar standing with it right paw forward, looking slightly left
location: east end of the Manufactures Bridge, connecting the north side of the Electricity Building and center of the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building (on the north pedestal)
Jaguar a
Jaguar by A. Phimister Proctor
(one of two copies)
description: a jaguar standing with it right paw forward, looking slightly left
location: stairway in front of the Colonnade (on the west pedestal)
Jaguar b
Jaguar by A. Phimister Proctor
(one of two copies)
description: a jaguar moving with its left paw forward and right leg raised, looking to its right, with mouth open and fangs exposed
location: east end of the Manufactures Bridge, connecting the north side of the Electricity Building and center of the Manufactures and Liberal Arts Building (on the south pedestal)
Jaguar b
Jaguar by A. Phimister Proctor
(one of two copies)
description: a jaguar moving with its left paw forward and right leg raised, looking to its right, with mouth open and fangs exposed
location: stairway in front of the Colonnade (on the east pedestal)
Elk a
Elk by A. Phimister Proctor
(one of four copies)
description: an elk walking with it left leg forward and looking to its left.
location: landing on the Grand Basin, north of the Columbia Fountain (on the north pedestal)
Elk a
Elk by A. Phimister Proctor
(one of four copies)
description: an elk walking with it left leg forward and looking to its left.
location: landing on the Grand Basin, south of the Columbia Fountain (on the north pedestal)
Elk a
Elk by A. Phimister Proctor
(one of four copies)
description: an elk walking with it left leg forward and looking to its left.
location: south end of the bridge leading to the south end of the Wooded Island (on the east pedestal)
Elk a
Elk by A. Phimister Proctor
(one of four copies)
description: an elk walking with it left leg forward and looking to its left.
location: west end of the bridge connecting the north end of the Horticultural Building and the Wooded Island (on the south pedestal)
Elk b
Elk by A. Phimister Proctor
(one of four copies)
description: an elk walking with it right leg forward and looking to its right
location: landing on the Grand Basin, north of the Columbia Fountain (on the south pedestal)
Elk b
Elk by A. Phimister Proctor
(one of four copies)
description: an elk walking with it right leg forward and looking to its right
location: landing on the Grand Basin, south of the Columbia Fountain (on the south pedestal)
Elk b
Elk by A. Phimister Proctor
(one of four copies)
description: an elk walking with it right leg forward and looking to its right
location: south end of the bridge leading to the south end of the Wooded Island (on the west pedestal)
Elk b
Elk by A. Phimister Proctor
(one of four copies)
description: an elk walking with it right leg forward and looking to its right
location: west end of the bridge connecting the north end of the Horticultural Building and the Wooded Island (on the north pedestal)
The Cowboy
The Cowboy by A. Phimister Proctor
description: a Western ranger sits on a bucking broncho
location: landing on the Lagoon, east of the Transportation Building (on the north pedestal)
The Indian Scout
The Indian Scout by A. Phimister Proctor
description: a Sioux Indian mounted on a pony, both looking to their left
location: landing on the Lagoon, east of the Transportation Building (on the south pedestal)
SOURCES
Johnson, Rossiter A History of the World’s Columbian Exposition Volume 1, Narrative. D. Appleton and Co., 1897.
Millet, F. D. “Report of the Director of Works, Director of Decoration and Function” in The Final Official Report of the Director of Works of the World’s Columbian Exposition by Daniel H. Burnham.