The Genius of Creation, a magnificently conceived group of sculpture,
has been placed, rather unfortunately, in front of the main west portal
of the Palace of Machinery. It is by Daniel Chester French, who is
generally considered the dean of American sculptors. The Genius of
Creation is portrayed as a huge winged figure, enthroned over the
formless mass of earth, with head bowed and arms outstretched, calling
human life into being. At the two sides a man and a woman, fine strong
figures both, stand looking forth, the man courageously, the woman a
little more timidly. And at the back, as if to signify the mutual
dependence of man and woman, the hands seek to touch. A serpent
encircles the base of the group, symbolizing wisdom-or as some prefer
to interpret it, everlasting life. This serpent is probably not the one
that had so much to do with the life of the first couple on earth.
The statue expresses, of course, the orthodox idea of creation, and it
is interesting to contrast it with the sculpture of the Court of
Abundance, which in general gives expression to the doctrine of
evolution. The strong, almost severe, motherly figure is finely
religious in feeling. The sculptor himself has commented on the
religious tone that runs through much of the Exposition sculpture,
remarking especially the prevalence of winged angel-figures.
Pages:
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84