Scott's View
I've been asked why I took a picture of the back of a statue, with no view of the face of the statue. There are several reasons I selected this view. But first...
This is the Scott Fountain on Belle Isle in the Detroit River, Detroit, Michigan USA. I remember it fondly from my childhood. My father was so amazed by it's size, and magnificent lighted display at night that we often "went for a ride" as a family to see it.
(source: Wikipedia) James Scott was a real estate developer of disputed integrity, who lived from 1831-1910. Having no heirs, and apparently no friends, his will left his fortune, $200,000, to the City of Detroit for the construction of a fountain, stipulating a life-sized statue of himself be included. Civic leaders argued about the appropriateness for years and the gift grew to about $1 million by the time the gift was finally accepted. Prominent New York architect Cass Gilbert oversaw the construction of the massive white marble fountain, and sculptor Herbert Adams did the bronze sculpture. The sculpture was situated at the rear of the fountain, facing inward.
I feel that the view I have photographed is the one intended: the fountain is being admired by James Scott, and we are seeing his view. Furthermore, I'm sure the placement of this statue facing inward was the compromise made by city leaders back in 1925 (the year of completion) to accept Scott's gift, but without making his statue a tribute to the man
Scott's View
I've been asked why I took a picture of the back of a statue, with no view of the face of the statue. There are several reasons I selected this view. But first...
This is the Scott Fountain on Belle Isle in the Detroit River, Detroit, Michigan USA. I remember it fondly from my childhood. My father was so amazed by it's size, and magnificent lighted display at night that we often "went for a ride" as a family to see it.
(source: Wikipedia) James Scott was a real estate developer of disputed integrity, who lived from 1831-1910. Having no heirs, and apparently no friends, his will left his fortune, $200,000, to the City of Detroit for the construction of a fountain, stipulating a life-sized statue of himself be included. Civic leaders argued about the appropriateness for years and the gift grew to about $1 million by the time the gift was finally accepted. Prominent New York architect Cass Gilbert oversaw the construction of the massive white marble fountain, and sculptor Herbert Adams did the bronze sculpture. The sculpture was situated at the rear of the fountain, facing inward.
I feel that the view I have photographed is the one intended: the fountain is being admired by James Scott, and we are seeing his view. Furthermore, I'm sure the placement of this statue facing inward was the compromise made by city leaders back in 1925 (the year of completion) to accept Scott's gift, but without making his statue a tribute to the man