Palaces and Courts of the Exposition Part 3

The fine figure work representing the modern industrial types is by Ralph Stackpole of Oregon, whose home is now in San Francisco. He expresses himself most simply and unaffectedly, in clear, broad treatment, and makes the ordinary workman a man to be honored and respected.

The upper figures represent an old man handing his burden to a younger man. The Old World Handing Its Burden to the Younger World, that is America, is finely suggested.

The keystone figure represents The Power of Industry, the man who both thinks and uses his hands.

In the tympanum are the types representing the Varied Industries.

In the center is Agriculture representing the food side of life. On the left a workman, possibly an architect, suggests the refinements of the varied industries, while on the right one sees the ordinary workman with his sledge-hammer, bringing to mind the rougher side of industry. In the left corner a woman with her spindle - a lamb standing near - recalls the making of textiles. Commerce occupies the right corner, holding the prow of a vessel with its figurehead.

The Workman with his pick is repeated in the four niches.

The two flanking portals are also in the plateresque style with devices of this Spanish Renaissance period represented on them.

The s.h.i.+elds, or cartouches as they are called, have no special meaning, being only ornaments of this particular period.

The portals on the east of the Palace of Varied Industries and also of the Palace of Mines are suggestive of gateways of old Roman walled cities, like those of Perugia, for instance. This Italian type of portal is chosen since Machinery Palace opposite is in the Italian style of architecture.

Notice how the pastel pink accents the portal.

The figure of "The Miner" in the niches is by Albert Weinert, whose work in the Congressional Library at Was.h.i.+ngton is well known.

The Palace of Varied Industries has an exhibition of the more refined manufactures, those articles that are regarded more as luxuries, such as bronzes, jewelry, silverware, fine pottery, porcelains, rugs, leather work, silks, etc.

The Palace of Mines deals with the smelting of metals, a fine exhibition of different ores, and above all "Safety First" in its relation to mines. The Mines Rescue work is most interesting.

Flora of the Avenue of Progress and the Avenue of Palms

Eucalyptus globulus (blue gum).

Eucalyptus robusta.

Eucalyptus viminalis.

Cupressus macrocarpa (Monterey cypress).

Laurestinus.

Australian pea vine on the palms.

Muhlenbeckia (Australian mattress vine) against the base of Machinery Palace.

Honeysuckle against the base of the Varied Industries Palace.

Lawson cypress.

Libocedrus decurrens (incense cedar).

Acacia floribunda.

Acacia latifolia.

Albizzia lophantha.

Abies menziesu (fir).

Picea Engelmanni (spruce).

Picea excelsa (from Norway) (spruce).

Pittosporum.

Rhododendrons (notice how they work upon the pink walls) (for color).

Cinerarias (for color).

Cyclamen (for color).

Dracaena indivisa (cabbage palm).

Woodwardias.

j.a.panese strawberry.

Notice Mr. McLaren's devices for covering the ground.

The lophantha lawn, it might be called, is an artificial device for producing a most lovely effect. The tree is stripped of all branches until it has attained the height of four feet, the top being trained and flattened into a head five feet across. The trees are placed close enough together so that the tops interlace, producing thereby a continuous green surface.

The veronica, buxifolia is the light green border at the side and in front of the Palace of Varied Industries.

Achanea from New Zealand and Australia is used on the banks and accords most harmoniously with the albizzia lophantha.

The abelia rupestris is the red leafed plant with pink blossoms.

Peonia moutan daikaqura is the peony.

Since the small plants in front of the permanent shrubs are changed periodically, a list of everything planted is of course out of the question.

The technical names are suggested with a few of the trees and shrubs so that you can continue this line of work for yourself.

Since the botanical names are placed on the plants in many places you can easily find what you seek.

The Palace of Manufactures and also The Palace of Liberal Arts (Since they are alike.)

The portal is Spanish Renaissance with grill work. Notice the pastel pink, turquoise blue and burnt orange on this portal. This coloring is a means of strongly accenting this fine architectural feature.

The panel (representing the making of gla.s.s, metal work, textiles, statuary, etc.), as well as the female figure holding the spindle and the male with the sledge-hammer, are by Mahonri Young of Salt Lake City, Utah.

The wall niches show elephants and lions used alternately - a fine oriental touch. The heads are used as fountains.

"Acroterium" is the Victory on the gables, many times repeated. It is the work of Frank Edwin Elwell, curator of Ancient Art, at the Metropolitan Museum of New York.

Viewing the figure from the side, you are reminded of the Victory of Samothrace. She is noticeably beautiful against the late afternoon sky and also against the blue morning sky.

You will notice that the flora is just the same in the main in front of these buildings as it was in front of the others you have seen, the gra.s.s lawn here taking the place of the albizzia lophantha.

Sweet peas, daffodils, rhododendrons, evening primroses, j.a.panese magnolias, coronilla are added for color.

The Palace of Manufactures shows the coa.r.s.er, heavier articles, such as furniture, carpets, woolen goods, hardware. Many articles are being made in this palace.

The Palace of Liberal Arts includes all kinds of printing, book binding, engraving, photographic apparatus, especially in the line of moving pictures and color photography, theatrical appliances, musical instruments, instruments of precision, wireless telegraphy and the wireless telephone, etc.