San Antonio daily light (San Antonio, Tex.), July 27, 1896
TOM PAINE IN BRONZE.
Large Paine Bust Portrait to Be Erected at Washington
Large Bust Portrait to Be Erected at Washington.
It Will Be Dynamite Proof and Patterned After the Bust Being Made for the Monument of Paine at New Rochelle.
Thomas Paine, the revolutionary statesman and the great agnostic of his time, is to be commemorated by the largest bronze portrait bust ever made, which is to be erected at the national capital by the Paine Historical society.
It will be patterned after an heroic bronze bust now being modeled by Wilson MacDonald, the oldest living American sculptor, and the president of the society.
The society intends to purchase a small piece of land in Washington and on it place the bust, which will be mounted on a heavy bronze pedestal, constructed without crack or opening, so as to be made as nearly dynamite proof as possible.
“We think this is necessary,” says Mr. MacDonald, whom a New York Herald man found in his Sixth avenue studio working on the first clay model of the bust which he is to make. “Not so necessary at once, yet best in view of the treatment that has been received by the Paine grave and monument at New Rochelle. The head and foot stones of the grave were broken many years ago, and all that is left of them is this little piece, no larger than your two hands, which an old lady living by the grave found and gave to Capt. George W. Loyd, who gave it to me. See the shot marks on it? Iconoclasts have used it for a target. Ten years ago I found the monument chipped, broken on the edges and corners, the inscriptions partially defaced and almost ruined. With the aid of a few friends I had the inscriptions recast and restored the monument as you see it to-day.
“There is a more liberal feeling to-day, but we propose to make the bust and pedestal of the monument so strong and to anchor them so securely that nothing short of a very large charge of dynamite can destroy them.”
The proposed colossal bust will be absolutely unique for a portrait and one of the most imposing works of the sort in existence. It will be of gigantic proportions. The head of the bust alone will measure six feet from the point of the chin to the top of the head, and the entire bust will be about 15 feet high. Then the pedestal will be in proportion.
The materials to be used by Mr. MacDonald in his work are an original portrait of Paine which he owns, two portraits that were painted from life and the standard engraving from the picture that was painted by Waldo and Jewett.
The work will be carried on by the Paine Historical society, and appeals will be made to kindred societies and to the public generally.
The clay model on which Mr. MacDonald is now working is the first visible stage of the work. When it is to the sculptor’s satisfaction, showing Paine in his prime, with his head held thoughtfully a little to one side—his favorite position—it will be copied in clay, heroic size. From this model the bronze will be made. It will cost $3,000. From the completed bronze will be modeled the colossal bust to be erected in Washington.
Mr. MacDonald says that the bust will be completed before next May.
The unveiling ceremonies will be held on next Decoration day, and Col. Robert G. Ingersoll will deliver the oration. All of the expenses will be paid by the Paine Historical society, the Philosophical society of Brooklyn and Manhattan Liberal club of New York. These societies for several years have met at Paine’s grave.