The architect of the Fine Arts Palace was Bernard R. Maybeck, a
Californian.
Sculpture
The sculpture about the lagoon, including that under the peristyle and
rotunda, is to be treated in the next chapter, except that which is
definitely a part of the building's integral decorative scheme.
The reliefs outside the rotunda, on the attic above the cornice,
represent man's effort to gain the ideal of art. To see these reliefs
best, one should stand directly across the lagoon from the rotunda. In
the panel facing East one sees the figure of Art personified. On either
side is a group showing the champions of art combating centaurs, that
stand for the commonplace, materialistic things of life. In the next
panel to the left, facing Southeast, is represented the bridling of the
winged horse Pegasus, which to the Greeks symbolized the attainment of
poetic inspiration. Here also are figures representing the arts of
literature, sculpture and music, by the familiar symbols, a lamp, a
statuette and a lute. The panel to the right of the center one shows
Apollo, sun-god and patron-god of the arts, drawn in his chariot, with a
procession of devotees. These panels are repeated on the other five
faces about the dome. They are among the finest reliefs on the
Exposition buildings, and are by Bruno Louis Zimm.
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