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The Mall
One the main formal elements in Olmsted and Vaux's design for Central Park. They felt that the Mall must be secondary to the natural view. Flanking the 40-foot wide Mall are quadruple rows of American elms. The elm was one of the designers' favorite trees, providing a living cathedral ceiling high over the walkway. The Mall is breathtaking in any season. In the spring, the sun filtering through the translucent leaves seems to tint the atmosphere a lime-green. As the canopy matures over the summer, it creates a cool dense shade for the landscape below. When autumn's yellow and gold leaves fall, they reveal the bold architecture of the trees' skeletons. A fresh winter snow creates a lace veil in the black and white tree branches.The southern end of the Mall is often referred to as "Literary Walk." Fearing that increasing requests to install sculpture throughout the Park would change its naturalistic character, Commissioners proposed in 1873 that the Mall be the designated location for sculpture. Over a short period of time representations of the following literary figures were installed: William Shakespeare (by John Quincy Adams Ward, dedicated in 1872), Fitz-Green Halleck (by James Wilson Alexander MacDonald, dedicated in 1877), Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns (both by Sir John Steell, dedicated in 1880). Though not a literary figure, Christopher Columbus, by Jeronimo Sunol, was dedicated in 1894. Victor Herbert (by Edmond T. Quinn, dated 1927), and Ludwig van Beethoven (by Henry Bearer, dated 1884). Composers Herbert and Beethoven are near the Mall concert ground, site of the original Central Park Bandshell, and now of the Naumburg Bandshell and SummerStage at Rumsey Playfield. Two other sculptures in the Mall area are worthy of note. "The Indian Hunter" by John Quincy Adams Ward (dedicated in 1869) helped to establish Ward as a leading post-Civil War sculptor. Critics felt a harmonious connection with the Park in Ward's observation of nature and in his focus on a truly American subject. Christopher Fratin's "Eagles and Prey" (dedicated in 1863) did not fare as well. Park commissioners thought the naturalistic theme would be highly appropriate for a Park setting. |
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