up into the intense blue of the California skies." This, as well as much
of the interpretation of the eight pictures, is drawn from Reid's own
account.

Within the rotunda has been installed Paul Wayland Bartlett's spirited
equestrian statue of Lafayette. This is a replica of the original work,
which was presented to the French Government by the school children of
the United States, and stands in the gardens of the Louvre. Other
notable statues here are Karl Bitter's Thomas Jefferson, John J. Boyle's
Commodore Barry, Herbert Adams's Bryant, and Robert T. McKenzie's
charming figure of "The Young Franklin." Outside the rotunda, facing the
main entrance to the gallery, is "The Pioneer Mother," Charles Grafly,
sculptor. Over the entrance is Leo Lentelli's "Aspiration."

Beautiful as is the Palace of Fine Arts by day, it is even more lovely
at night. (p. 137.) Either by moonlight or under the gentle flood of
illumination that rests softly upon it when the heavens are dark, it is
wonderful. There is so much of perfection in the building, and it is so
well placed, that it needs no special conditions to be at its best. Nor
is any particular viewpoint necessary. Stand where you will around this
structure, or on the opposite margin of the lagoon, and each position
gives you a different grouping of columns and dome and wall, a different
setting of trees and water. The form of the Palace is responsible for
this. Roughly speaking, a rectangular structure presents but four views.
But the great arc of the Fine Arts, with its detached colonnade
following the same curve on either side of the rotunda, is not so
restricted. Every new point of view discloses new beauty. The breadth of
the lagoon before it guarantees a proper perspective. It is impossible
not to see it aright.