Water is placed at the east end of the north stairway. The sea-god, with
his trident in one hand and sea-weed in the other, rides on a wave, with
a dolphin beside him.
Fire at the west end of the north stairway-is typified by the figure
of a man in agony, with one hand grasping the flame, and with jagged
lightning in the other, symbolizing man's terror of fire as well as his
conquering of it. A salamander completes the main design, while at the
back the phoenix, bird fabled to rise from fire, helps support the
figure.
These four figures are of the sort of art that is likely to turn the
unthinking person away, though a study of them will bring out new
beauties with riper acquaintance. Because people fail to get far enough
away from them to obtain the proper perspective, the statues seem too
huge, too strong, too terrible, ever to be attractive. They are, it is
true, out of scale, and thus mar the effect of the court to a certain
extent. But there is in them something of the noble and compelling
strength of the statues of Michael Angelo-to whom the sculptor clearly
owes his inspiration. Stand between the columns at the corner of the
Transportation Palace, and you will see that the figure of Fire not only
is imaginatively conceived but is a fine line composition as well. Study
of the other three from corresponding viewpoints will well repay in
increased understanding and pleasure.
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