List of American sculptors exhibited at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition


Sculpture could be found at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in various different places and serving a diverse number of functions. The works displayed in the specially designed sculpture exhibition halls tended to be by the better known artists of the day but the visitors to the Expo did not need to enter the buildings to find sculpture. The grounds, especially around the lagoon areas and decorating the various bridges were liberally sprinkled with sculpture, most of it made out of staff, an impermanent material. Also to be found were a number of fountains. Another form of sculpture at the Fair, also made of staff, was the architectural sculpture that adorned a large number of the buildings.

Architectural sculpture

But here it might be well to say something of the material of which they are constructed, the new and wonderful "staff." It has the properties of both common plaster and cement, and can be worked into any required design; in hardening it shows an ivory-like surface, which, however, can be colored in any desired tint. Thus the most ornate architectural effects are produced, and all the buildings, being covered with this decorative substance, present the appearance of veritable palaces. For the designs, etc., it is modeled into plates the required size and joined invisibly, and it is estimated that about 500,000 of these pieces have been used in the large buildings alone.

Sixteen bridges spanned the lagoons that meandered through the fairgrounds. Four statues of native American mammals, also made of staff, decorated the piers at each end of a bridge.

The sculptors and their works

ArtistWorks ExhibitedImageMediumYearCurrent CollectionNotes
Herbert AdamsSt. Agnes' Eveplaster1892unlocated
Herbert AdamsPrimaverapolychromed marble1890-92Corcoran Gallery of Art
Herbert AdamsPortrait Bust of a Lady
Adeline Valentine		marble1889The Hispanic Society of America
Thomas BallPortrait of a Ladyplaster1889unlocated
Thomas BallPaul Reverebronze1883Cincinnati Art Museum
Thomas BallPortrait of a Gentlemanplasterunlocated
Thomas BallColossal Statue of George Washingtonbronze1889-93Forest Lawn Memorial ParkIn the Rotunda:
Thomas BallChrist and the Little Childmarble1881Mary Provincial House
Methuen, Massachusetts
Paul Wayland BartlettMedallion portrait of the Rev. Dr. Thomas H. Skinnerbronze1892Chrysler Museum of Art
Norfolk, Virginia
Paul Wayland BartlettBust of Mrs. B
'		marble1892unlocated
Paul Wayland BartlettBohemian and Bearsplaster1887Art Institute of ChicagoPresumed destroyed
Paul Wayland BartlettThe Bohemian Bear Tamerbronze1889Metropolitan Museum of Art
Paul Wayland BartlettThe Ghost Dance
plaster1889unlocated
Paul Wayland BartlettSundance or Ghost Dancebronze1889National Museum of American Art
Smithsonian Institution
George Edwin BissellJohn Watts, the last Royal Recorder of New York
and founder of the Leake and Watts Orphan House		bronze1892Trinity Church, New York
Karl BitterAdministration Building :
designed by Richard Morris Hunt
Growth of Civilization - 28 sculpture groups		Destroyed in a July 1894 fire
Karl BitterLibertystaff
Karl BitterReligionstaff
Karl BitterSciencestaff
Karl BitterWarstaff
Karl BitterFishermaid and Blacksmithstaff
Karl BitterWater Uncontrolled and Water Controlledstaff
Karl BitterFire Uncontrolled and Fire Controlledstaff
Karl BitterDiligencestaff
Karl BitterPatriotismstaff
Karl BitterTruthstaff
Richard W. Bock
Richard W. BockElectricity Building :
Solon Spencer Beman, architect		staffSculpture contracted from the Philipson Company
Richard W. Bock
Richard W. BockMines and Mining Building :
Solon Spencer Beman, architect		staffSculpture contracted from the Phillipson Company
Richard W. BockManufactures Building:
Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company pavilion
Gutzon BorglumIndian Scoutsbronze1891Forest Lawn Memorial Park
John J. BoyleTired Outbronze1887Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
John J. BoylePennsylvania Building :
John J. BoyleCoat of Arms of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
staff
John J. BoyleWilliam Penn and Benjamin Franklin
staff
John J. BoyleMines and Mining
staff
John J. BoyleScience, Manufactures and Agriculture
staff
John J. Boyle
John J. BoyleTransportation Building :
Louis Sullivan, architect		Boyle was awarded a medal for his architectural sculpture
on the Transportation Building.
John J. BoyleApotheosis of Transportation
staff
John J. BoyleAncient Transportation
staff
John J. BoyleGeorge Stephenson
Dennis Papin
James Watt
The Brakeman
Joseph Michael Montgolfier
The Pilot
Robert Fulton
:
staff
John J. BoyleThe Genius of the Locomotivestaff
Caroline Shawk BrooksLady Godiva ReturningmarbleDestroyed in San Francisco earthquake of 1906
Caroline Shawk BrooksLa Rosa marble1886private collection
Caroline Shawk BrooksLady GodivamarbleDestroyed in San Francisco earthquake of 1906
Caroline Shawk BrooksThe Dreaming Iolanthemarbleunlocated
Carol BrooksEnidplasterunlocated
Henry Kirke Bush-BrownThe Buffalo Hunterplaster1893
Alexander Sterling CalderCordeliaplaster1892unlocated
Alexander Sterling CalderBoy with Ribbonplasterunlocated
Thomas Shields ClarkeThe Cider Pressbronze1892De Young Museum,
San Francisco, California		On the grounds of the De Young Museum:
Katherine M. CohenBust of Harry Southerplaster1890unlocated
Ellen Rankin CoppRelief portrait of Miss Harriet Monroebronze1893unlocated
Cyrus Edwin DallinSignal of Peacebronze1890Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois
Cyrus Edwin DallinPortrait bust of Dr. I.marbleca. 1892unlocated
John Talbott DonoghueThe Young Sophocles Leading the Chorus of Victory
after the Battle of Salamis		bronze1885Honolulu Museum of Art
John Talbott DonoghueKyprosplasterca. 1890unlocated
John Talbott DonoghueHunting Nymph plaster1886unlocated
Frank Edwin ElwellCharles Dickens and Little Nellbronze1890Clark Park, 43rd Street & Chester Avenue,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania		Installed in Clark Park, Philadelphia:
Frank Edwin ElwellIntellect Dominating Brute Force
or Diana and the Lion
marbleca. 1893Fabyan Villa, Geneva, New York
Jacob FjeldeBas-relief of Bert Harwoodplasterunlocated
Jacob FjeldeBust of Judge Nelsonbronze1890U.S. District Court, St. Paul, Minnesota
Daniel Chester FrenchBust of A. Bronson Alcottplaster1889National Trust for Historic Preservation
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
Daniel Chester FrenchMartin Milmore Memorialbronze1892Forest Hills Cemetery,
Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts
Daniel Chester FrenchAngel of Death and the Sculptorplaster1891Art Institute of ChicagoDestroyed 1949
Daniel Chester FrenchThe Republic1893 and 1918A one third sized version of the 65 foot tall statue
was placed in Jackson Park, Chicago in 1918:
French and Potter
Columbian Quadrigastaffc. 1892–1893A modified version of this was formed of copper in 1906 as
The Progress of the State at the Minnesota State Capitol.
French and Potter
The Cart Horse Groupstaff1892-93destroyed
French and Potter
Teamster and Horsestaffc. 1892–1893destroyedA rare use of an African-American model
French and Potter
Statues of Plenty
orBulls with Maidens
or Ceres, grain and the Old World		staffc. 1892–1893A bronze version was erected in Humboldt Park, Chicago in 1912.
French and Potter
Statues of Plenty or
Bulls with Maidens
or Native American Corn Goddess		staffc. 1892–1893A bronze version was erected in Humboldt Park, Chicago in 1912.
Johannes GelertThe Little Architectplasterca. 1882unlocated
Johannes GelertThe Struggle for Workplaster1892
Johannes GelertTheseus, Victor over the Minotaurbronze1886private collection
Johannes GelertBust of Abraham Lincolnplasterca. 1892a bronze version is in a private collection
Charles GraflyA Bad Omenplasterunlocated
Charles GraflyMauvais Présageplaster1891Edwin A. Ulrich Museum of Art
Wichita State University		study
Charles GraflyDaedalusbronze1889Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Charles GraflyPennsylvania Building:
The Genius of Art		plaster1893
Jonathan Scott HartleyPanbronze1885
Jonathan Scott HartleyBust of William Conantbronze1890private collection
Jonathan Scott HartleyJohn Gilbert as Sir Peter Teazlebronze1889The Hampden-Booth Theatre Library
Players Club, New York
Harriet R. HyattHead of Laughing Girlplasterunlocated
Edward KemeysAmerican Black Bearbronze1886Art Institute of Chicago
Edward KemeysBattle of the Bullsbronze1890unlocated
Edward KemeysAmerican Panther and her Cubsplaster1878National Museum of American Art
Smithsonian Institution
Edward KemeysAt Bay
Edward KemeysA Prairie King
Edward KemeysOld Ephriam bronze1885private collection
Edward KemeysFighting Panther and Deerbronzeprivate collection
Edward KemeysAfter the Feastbronze1878private collection
Edward KemeysTexan Bull and Jaguarsbronze1891National Museum of American Art
Smithsonian Institution
Edward KemeysJaguar and Boa-constrictorbronze1877private collection
Edward KemeysAmerican Bay Lynxbronzeunlocated
Edward KemeysGrappling His Gameplasterbefore 1885private collection
Edward KemeysThe Still Huntbronzeprivate collection
Mary LawrenceChristopher Columbusstaff1892
Edmonia LewisWoman's Building:
Bust of Hiawatha		marble1868Metropolitan Museum of ArtOne of the few African-American artists who exhibited at the Exposition.
Edmonia LewisWoman's Building:
Statuettes
Aloys LoeherBust of Jessie Bartlett Davismarbleunlocated
Frederick MacMonniesColumbian Fountain
aka The Barge of State
aka Columbia, Enthroned, is Propelled by the Arts and
Sciences and Steered by Father Time.		staff1892
Philip MartinyPortrait bust of a child
'		plasterunlocated
Philip MartinyPalace of Fine Arts :
Architecture
Painting
Music
Sculpture
2 winged caryatides		staff
limestone 		Limestone replicas of the frieze figures were carved in the 1920s,
when the building became the Museum of Science and Industry.
Philip Martiny
Philip MartinyAgricultural Building
McKim Mead & White, architects		Destroyed in a July 1894 fire
Philip MartinyCeres groups
staff
Philip MartinyCattle and Horses groups

staff
Philip MartinyThe Four Hemispheres groups
staffCorner pavilion :
Philip MartinyThe Four Seasons groups
staff
Philip MartinySigns of the Zodiac
staffEach figure held a plaque with a Zodiac sign:
Retta T. MatthewsIndianamarble1893Indiana State Capitol,
Indianapolis		Commissioned for the Indiana State Building
Larkin Goldsmith Mead
Larkin Goldsmith MeadAgricultural Building :
The Triumph of Ceres
staffAgricultural Building north entrance:
Destroyed in a July 1894 fire
Larkin Goldsmith MeadThe Return of Prosperpine from the Realms of Pluto
staffDestroyed in a July 1894 fire
Samuel MurrayPortrait bust of Walt Whitmanbronze1892Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Smithsonian Institution
Samuel MurrayStudy of a child's head
'		bronze1892unlocated
Samuel MurrayStudy of a child's head
'		plaster1892Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Smithsonian Institution
Blanche NevinWoman's Building :
Maud Muller		marblec.1876Iris Club, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Charles Henry NiehausHistorical Door of Trinity Churchplasterbronze versions at north door, Trinity Church, New York
Charles Henry NiehausAthlete plaster1883-85Metropolitan Museum of ArtCast in bronze, 1901
William Rudolf O'DonovanPortrait bust of Thomas Eakinsbronzeunlocated
William Rudolf O'DonovanPortrait bust of Robert Swain Giffordbronzeunlocated
Richard Henry ParkMines and Mining Building :
Justice		SilverThe work was cast out of pure silver.
The model for the figure was Ada Rehan.
William Ordway PartridgeWilliam ShakespeareplasterBronze version in Lincoln Park, Chicago:
William Ordway PartridgeA Dream marble
William Ordway PartridgeMadonna plasterDayton Art Institute,
Dayton, Ohio
William Ordway Partridge
William Ordway Partridge
William Ordway Partridge
Bela PrattGenius of Navigationstaffc. 1892–1893Two copies of this work were made, placed at the front and
back of the Peristyle. They were destroyed by the 1894 fire.
Bela PrattGenius of Discoverystaffc. 1892–1893Two copies of this work were made, placed at the front and
back of the Peristyle
Vinnie Ream
Woman's Building :
The West
aka The Virgin West		marbleWisconsin State Capitol
Madison, Wisconsin		also displayed at the Centennial International Exhibition of 1876
Vinnie Ream
Woman's Building :
America		marble1870State Historical Society of Iowa,
Des Moines
Vinnie Ream
Woman's Building :
Miriam		marblePrivate collection
David RichardsNear Woman's Building:
Hide and Seek		1893
Alice M. RideoutWoman's Building :
Pediment		staffThe pediment was 7 ft tall and 45 ft long
Alice M. RideoutWinged figures:
Woman's Virtues
Woman as the Spirit of Civilization
Woman's Place in History
Alice M. RideoutSeated figures
Carl Rohl-SmithMato Wanartaka, Chief of the Siouxplaster
Carl Rohl-SmithPortrait bust of Henry Wattersonbronze
Carl Rohl-SmithElectricity Building :
The Pioneer of Electric Science—
Benjamin Franklin and His Kite		staff1892-93The Electricity Building at Night by Charles Graham:
Presumed lost in a July 1894 fire
Augustus Saint-GaudensDiana
finial of McKim, Mead and White's Agriculture Building		copper1892-93original destroyed, various smaller versions are listed in Diana
Anne WhitneyRomaplaster1893bronze cast version in Davis Museum at Wellesley College
Anne WhitneyWoman's Building:
Leif Ericson		bronzed plaster1889National Museum of Women in the Arts,
Washington, D.C.		The original bronze is in Boston, Massachusetts.
A bronze replica is in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Anne WhitneyWoman's Building:
Bust of Lucy Stone		marble1893Boston Public Library,
Boston, Massachusetts
Anne WhitneyWoman's Building :
Bust of Harriet Beecher Stowe		marble1892Harriet Beecher Stowe Center,
Hartford, Connecticut		Beside the bust was a cabinet containing
copies of Uncle Tom's Cabin in 42 languages.