
It is difficult to see in this picture, but the bison, by Edward Kemeys, the very same sculptor who did the famous lions
flanking the Chicago Art Institute, are at the extreme ends of the photo. Those lions were created in 1894; these in 1909, and I much prefer these.

They are in Humboldt Park, closer to the Division Street end. Hence the ice cream vendor taking a break, who didn't seem to mind me snapping away.

A very cursory first glance would lead you to believe that they are the same. Not so. Not so at all. This picture, the bison on the south end of this little garden, is most definitely male, totally anatomically correct. His face is much broader and his stance ready to charge.



Above left, the female bison, preferred by the vendor. In a prim lady-like stance. Legs together. Her face is much narrower than the male's.




The left photo above is the male; his eyes are bulging out, but if you look closely at the female face, her eyes are turned inward. Interesting. They are bronze, and the noses, I suspect, have been rubbed by many generations.
But I can't help but think that the female has a rather sad expression, as if she sees that she can never produce enough to keep up with man's slaughter of her kind.
If you want to see real bison on the hoof, go to Fermi Lab in Batavia. They have an honest-to-god herd in pasture out there.
It turned out to be quite the excursion, as my partner in crime wanted to take all buses. We left home at 11:15 am and finally walked back in the door at 4:30, a trip that would not have taken 2 1/2 hours by car. But it was fun. And I never would have ever thought to go to Humboldt Park. There are many other fine sculptures there as well, all important people. So thanks Alan Artner. I look forward to #3.
No comments:
Post a Comment