Description:

Stanford White
New York, NY, January 16, 1894
Stanford White, Designer of Washington Square Arch, to F.W. MacMonnies in Paris Re: Sketches of Models of the Four Female Winged Relief Figures
TLS

Typed Letter Signed "chèrie / White," on McKim, Mead & White letterhead, New York, January 16, 1894. To sculptor Frederick W. MacMonnies, Paris. 1 page, 8" x 10.5". Partially erased notations from a prior collector at top. Central horizontal fold and creases. Soiling and discoloration. Punch holes along left and right margins. In very good condition.

In full: "The photographs came all right, and I like them very much better than the others, and hope you have got my cable and are jumping along with them.

I wish the first model that you finish would be that of Mrs. [Wm R.] Stewart, and I should like you to get this likeness as nearly as possible; that of Mrs. White you are free to do what you choose with. Can you let me know how soon you can send over the first model?

The question of the other sculpture will come up soon and we should have sketches on which to start to raise our subscription. I wish you would be thinking over these.

I have received the enclosed from Commander Chadwick, so you see this thing is also going along all right. I have written him that if he is quite sure the thing is going through, you will finish the model and send it over here."

In early 1889, William R. Stewart conceived the idea to build a temporary Triumphal Arch in Washington Square Park to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington as the first President of the United States. On May 2, 1889, the Committee on Erection of the Memorial Arch at Washington Square was approved by the Centennial Art and Exhibition Committee of New York City. The Committee soon dropped the word "Memorial" from its name. Stewart had done exceedingly well as a fundraiser for the temporary wooden Arch, so he was enlisted for the same task by the Arch Committee. Stewart became Treasurer of the Washington Arch Fund and architect Stanford White designed the Arch free of charge. White based his design on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

White wanted allegorical winged figures carrying symbols of war and peace in the spandrels of the Arch and asked Frederick W. MacMonnies to design the models of the four Victories to be placed on the Arch. MacMonnies used his own wife's face as the model for Peace, and Stanford White's wife, Bessie, for War. He also used Mrs. William R. Stewart's wife's face as a model.

The winged models arrived from MacMonnies in Paris in the Spring of 1894, and the figures were carved from these models and finished in February, 1895. They represent four female figures, winged and floating, masterpieces of relief sculpture. Mentioned by White, Commander French Ensor Chadwick was Chief of Bureau of Equipment. The Washington Arch was dedicated on May 4, 1895.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8" x 10.5"
  • Medium: TLS

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