Join author Krista August on November 1 and November 15 at the Harold Washington Library Center for a two-part presentation on her award-winning book Giants in the Park: a Guide to Portrait Statues in Chicago's Lincoln Park.
How did you become interested in the portrait statues of Lincoln Park?
I lived on the edge of Lincoln Park for 20 years, after graduating from college, and with my interests in the built environment, biography, history and art, it was only natural for me to become increasingly curious about the park's many historic art treasures. When encountering the monuments on my bike rides and walks, I would often wonder about them.
Which statue is your favorite and why?
It's difficult to single out one. Each statue is uniquely compelling. I particularly appreciate the at-the-time modern style and handling of the John Peter Altgeld bronze, which is set low to the ground so that the textures and modeling of the metal can be closely observed. Artist Gutzon Borglum studied art in Paris, where he was influenced by Auguste Rodin, which explains in part the statue's simplification of form and rough surface treatment. The low pedestal and the statue's composition also help celebrate the spirit of Governor Altgeld's public service work. He was a man known for helping life's disenfranchised.
Your paintings of the statues are so beautiful. What made you choose watercolor instead of photography or another medium?
At the time of beginning my research, I was studying drawing and watercolor painting, and so this slight familiarity was the basis for my choosing watercolor. The medium of watercolor coupled with the use of multiple colors enabled me to articulate detail—better than a photograph could—which I determined was important for this project.
I like how you included histories of both the historical personages and the creation of their statues. What was most challenging about doing this research?
For each hero in bronze, I hoped to write a brief yet compelling biographical summary. Distilling a full-length biography down to an accurate and engaging portrait sketch (some 16 times over) was the most challenging aspect of this project.
In documenting the creation of the statues, I had the advantage of relying upon the Chicago Tribune Historical Archive. Monument installations were a very big deal in the late 1800s and early 1900s, so for most of the monuments, I found excellent coverage of a statue's realization and unveiling.
After persevering with the above for existing Lincoln Park portrait statues, my final task was to document missing portrait statues. It was a relief when the number of missing portraits finally maxed out at seven. Completing this postscript section was quite challenging given the fact that it was "bonus" work—work that I had not planned to take on at the project's inception.
Attend the talks and check out Giants in the Park to view August's research and learn more about these fascinating statues.
