Blog

You are currently viewing A Visit to Chesterwood, part 4
Head of Victory, from the First Division Memorial of the American Expeditionary Force (Infantry) that served in World War I. 1924. Chesterwood, Stockbridge, MA

A Visit to Chesterwood, part 4

Daniel Chester French is best known as the sculptor of the Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial. For more, see the first post in this series. In this post: a selection of French’s works displayed in French’s studio.

Andromeda, 1931

Daniel Chester French, Andromeda, 1931. Chesterwood, Stockbridge, MA.

French was still sculpting Andromeda when he died in 1931. The story: Cassiopeia, wife of the king of Ethiopia, boasted that her daughter Andromeda was more beautiful than the sea nymphs (Nereids). Poseidon punished her hubris by sending a monster to ravage the Ethiopian coast. An oracle announced that only by sacrificing Andromeda to the monster could the kingdom be saved. Perseus, fresh from killing Medusa, saw Andromeda chained to the rock, fell in love with her, and having asked her father’s permission to marry Andromeda after he rescued her, slew the monster. French’s figure looks uncommonly calm: most representations of Andromeda show her cowering in fear.

Spirit of the Waters, 1914

Daniel Chester French, Spirit of the Waters, 1914. Chesterwood, Stockbridge, MA

This was the original design for a memorial to Spencer Trask (1844-1909), who helped Saratoga Springs, NY, regain its reputation as a health resort. Doug Yeo’s site has some excellent photos of the bronze version at the Fogg Art Museum. Mrs. Trask considered this design too pensive, so French did another design for the memorial to her husband: The Spirit of Life.

The Spirit of Life, 1914

Head of Daniel Chester French, The Spirit of Life, 1914. Chesterwood, Stockbridge, MA

Commissioned as a memorial to Spencer Trask: see above. On the finished bronze (photos here), the figure holds a bowl from which water (the famous Saratoga Springs water, presumably) falls in the to pool below. The head in French’s studio is lovely, with just a hint of a smile.

NOTE: In the courtyard of St. Paul’s Church, Stockbridge – right across from the Red Lion Inn – stands a three-foot-tall bronze version of this sculpture erected as a memorial to Daniel Chester French and his wife, Mary. Photos by Doug Yeo are here. The Smithsonian American Art Museum also owns a bronze version.

Victory, 1924

Head of Victory, from the First Division Memorial of the American Expeditionary Force (Infantry) that served in World War I. 1924. Chesterwood, Stockbridge, MA

This woman is far more serious than the head of Spirit of Life, but I’m very fond of her, as well. It’s the model of the head of Victory on the First Division Memorial of the American Expeditionary Force (Infantry) which served in World War I. In the finished monument, Victory‘s face is barely visible, because she balances on a 35-foot-high granite column designed by Cass Gilbert. The monument is in President’s Park, south of the Executive Office Building in Washington, DC.

Next week: a few photos of the grounds of Chesterwood, one sculpture not by French, and one sculpture I somehow missed.

More

  • In Getting More Enjoyment from Sculpture You Love, I demonstrate a method for looking at sculptures in detail, in depth, and on your own. Learn to enjoy your favorite sculptures more, and find new favorites. Available on Amazon print and Kindle formats.
  • Want wonderful art delivered weekly to your inbox? Check out my free Sunday Recommendations list and rewards for recurring support: details here.