too far away to be seen well as pictures. Two separate series are
alternated, one symbolizing the Progress of Art, the other depicting the
Four Golds of California. The panel in the east, nearest the altar, is
"The Birth of European Art." The sacred fire burns on an altar, beside
which stands the guardian holding out the torch of inspiration to an
earthly messenger who leans from his chariot to receive it. On the right
is the Orange panel, representing one of the California golds.

"Inspiration in All Art" comes next. The veil of darkness, drawn back,
reveals the arts: Music, Painting, Poetry, and Sculpture. A winged
figure bears the torch of inspiration. The second of the California
golds, the Wheat panel, follows, and then "The Birth of Oriental Art."
The allegory here is the ancient Ming legend of the forces of earth
trying to wrest inspiration from the powers of air. A Chinese warrior
mounted on a dragon struggles with an eagle.

Gold, the yellow metal, is the subject of the next panel, followed by
"Ideals in Art." In this appear concrete symbols of the chief motives of
art, the classic nude of the Greeks, the Madonna and Child of Religion,
Joan of Arc for Heroism, Youth and Material Beauty represented by a
young woman, and Absolute Nature by the peacock. A mystic figure in the
background holds the cruse wherewith to feed the sacred flame. A winged
figure bears laurels for the living, while the shadowy one in the center
holds the palm for the dead. Last of all comes the Poppy panel,
representing the fourth gold of California.

"The entire scheme--the conception and birth of Art, its commitment to
the earth, its progress and acceptance by the human intellect,--is
expressed in the four major panels. They are lighted from below by a
brilliant flood of golden light, the sunshine of California, and reach