Distinguished American architect (1853-1906) who was a leading figure of the ‘Beaux Arts’ movement, best known for his opulent mansions and for the second Madison Square Garden. He was fatally shot and killed in the roof garden theatre of the Landmark by the husband of actress Evelyn Nesbit in retribution for a long-ago affair. TLS, two pages, 8 x 10.5, McKim, Mead & White letterhead, October 9, 1894. Letter to sculptor Frederick William MacMonnies, referencing the Victory in part: "As I heard that you have been quite ill and had gone to Italy, I thought it best not to bother you about the figure of Victory. We will not, under any circumstances, have you do anything but remodel the figure. If you will remodel the figure and ship the same on board the steamer, we will make arrangements about paying for the bronze, taking down the old figure and putting up the new one. The Commandant and the Board at West Point have agreed to postpone the inauguration of the monument until next May, but as of course they want to be very sure that they get this second figure right, they have made the request, which we have agreed to, that a small cast of a small study for the new figure be sent over here for them to see before the bronze is cast. Would it not be possible therefore, for you to make such a small study (as such you can have thrown up by a workman), cast and sent over here before the enlargement is made? I think if you will keep the figure as severe and architectural as the Naples Victory and have no more movement than that figure, it will be all right. The special thing which seems to bother the officers at West Point is the great curl of drapery which is on the present figure. I am awful sorry to trouble you with this, but I am sure that you would agree with me, if you were here, and of course, this monument is too important a one to have anything vitally wrong, and certainly the size of the present Victory is very harmful to it. I hope by this time, that you are all well and back at work again. Gibson has come back with lurid tales from Paris, and in fact, his illustrations brought strange recollections to my mind." The text features several ink corrections made in White's hand. In very good to fine condition, with intersecting folds, paperclip impressions, and creasing to the lower right area of both pages.
This letter references the Soldiers' and Sailors' Arch in Brooklyn, a monument dedicated to 'The Defenders of the Union, 1861-1865.' The impressive arch was designed by John H. Duncan and built over the course of three years from 1889 to 1892. When White's architectural firm was hired to overhaul the plaza in 1893, they recommended that sculptural elements be added to the arch. They commissioned MacMonnies to create three bronze groups, the most spectacular being the 'Quadriga' on top, portraying the winged goddess of victory between two trumpeting winged attendants. Although the Arch had opened to the public in 1894, the final sculptures were not added until later in 1898.
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