Conqueror - the Over Lord - the Master; Energy, mental and physical;
Energy - the Will, the indomitable power that achieved the Waterway
between the Oceans at Panama. The Earth Sphere, supported by an
undulating frieze of mer-men and women, is his pedestal. Advancing from
it in the water at the four relatively respective points of the compass,
North, South, East and West, are groups representing the Atlantic and
the Pacific Oceans and the North and the South Seas; groups richly
imaginative, expressing types of Oriental, Occidental, Southern and
Northern land and sea life. The interrupted outer circle of water motifs
represent Nereids driving spouting fish. Vertical zones of writhing
figures ascend the sphere at the base of the Victor. Across the upper
portions of the sphere, and modeled as parts of the Earth, stretch
titanic zoomorphs, representing the Hemispheres, East and West. The
spirit of the Eastern Hemisphere is conceived as feline and
characterized as a human tiger cat. The spirit of the Western Hemisphere
is conceived as taurine and characterized as a human bull. The base of
the Equestrian is surrounded by a frieze of architecturalized fish and
the rearing sea horses that furnish the principal upper motif for the
play of water. Energy himself is presented as a nude male, typically
American, standing in his stirrups astride a snorting charger - an
exultant super-horse needing no rein - commanding with grandly elemental
gesture of extended arms, the passage of the Canal. Growing from his
shoulders, winged figures of Fame and Valor with trumpet, sword and
laurel, forming a crest above his controlling head, acclaim his triumph.
The Fountain embodies the mood of joyous, exultant power and exactly
expresses the spirit of the Exposition. Its unique decorative character
has been aptly described as heraldic, "The Power of America rising from
the Sea."

A. Stirling Calder