General Logan in Grant Park

How did I manage to miss this great equestrian
by America's greatest public sculptor
in Grant Park?

The sculptor is Augustus Saint Gaudens (1848-1907)
and the piece was completed in 1897

(note: the gentlemen in the foreground
were recording a reminiscence of
their glory days during the protests
and riot that accompanied the
1968 Democratic Convention )




Wow -- what a statue,
really a picture of masculine vigor
as imagined in
1895 America.



It's a bit cartoonish,
sacrificing everything for dramatic effect --
but what an effect !



and it makes for so many
dramatic views




dramatic views from all sides






John A. Logan
was the most celebrated
citizen soldier from that era.
(he became an officer -- because he recruited a company
from his home town)





Could it get any more dramatic?


















and it's strong in the details, too

Saint-Gaudens
did not know how to make a weak shape,
everything is coiled like a spring.


(and how sad that contemporary
military leaders cannot be presented
on a horse)