I have seen a lot of public art, and not-so-public art, in and around Chicago, and this piece is, without a doubt, my very favorite.
Done by Lorado Taft in 1922, it has recently undergone a major restoration, and none too soon either. Now it looks simply spiffy. Located at Cottage Grove and 59th street, it is basically at the west end of the Midway Plaisance at The University of Chicago. Made of concrete, although initially I thought it was sandstone. Now I hope Alan Artner will not mind if I quote from his Trib article of July 25th. ". . . from 4,500 molds, this vast allegory, more than 100 feet in length, has Father Time presiding over 100 figures that include Taft [himself] (in an artist's smock) among other representations of such themes as love and war."
Because I love it so, I am going to bombard you with pictures. Taken at close to sunset, the piece faces east, but is double-sided, as you shall see, being almost as fully carved on the other side.
It does have a huge basin in front that is supposed to be full of water, being a "fountain"after all, but in 17 years of seeing it, I have never seen that basin with any.
The pictures that have a golden cast are the back side, with the setting sun on them. Again, this is something you should not die without seeing. And it's free.
Please do feel free to blow them up. The detail is wonderful. I think I've located Taft, on the back side, to the right and under the soldier on his horse.
No comments:
Post a Comment