Today to close out the week, we take a look at the fountain over the last five years.
An early photo of the fountain, still in great condition (other than the “Angels Fall” grafitti?). This photo was taken in September 2003.
A view of the central portion of the fountain(Photo from 08/2003)
A detail shot of the bowl and fish that kept it full. (Photo from 08/2003)
A shot of Walter Allward’s bronze work, with a century of patina on the bronze. (Photo from 08/2003)
When I returned to Jackson Park with my camera in May 2005, I noticed something wasn’t right with the fountain…
I was shocked to discover the fountain had been vandalized, and the bowl and fish, smashed away.
I had heard that there was a “restoration” planned for the monument, so I headed over to check out what had been done. There photos were taken in December 2008.
Sadly, it was another half-assed fix. The bowl and the fish were removed and we were left with this amputee of a fountain.
There’s the re-dedication plaque showing you who to blame for this piss poor renovation job.
On top of buggering up the “restoration”, they also cleaned the bronze!
While it looks exceptionally clean and sterile, it is arguable, Windsor greatest piece of outdoor sculpture.
Just take a look at the level of detail in these photos…
There is no denying the genius of Walter S. Allward. Here is a piece of sculpture done by one of Canada’s most important sculptors, and it gets a second rate, half-assed restoration attempt.
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cj - Ususally bronzes are sealed with a non permanent no chemical option. There is a was that is usually applied for protection. I didn't notice any traces of anything on there. If it was done, it probably hasn't been done since the "restoration". Generally you have to keep up the maintenance of the wax in order to protect the bronze.
If the city can't protect our monuments with our over budget police force I would glady have them install it on my front yard where everyone can enjoy it and it wil be protected by me.
at least we know it will be secured and taken care of.
You're right. Cleaning bronze is a big no no for antiques because the cleaner is an abrasive. Every time you clean the bronze, you're also taking off some of the bronze detailing and for antiques the sharper the detail, the more it is worth, so it's diminishing it's fine detailing and value every time it's polished clean.
What did they add to the top-right corner?
Scooter - what photo are you asking about?
Andrew - in the December 2008 photos, to the right of the bronze...
Scooter - That is a bronze Gazelle (or maybe a deer?) - It's the logo of one of the regiments of the time I believe . Good eye! I noticed in the 1906 photo that neither of the two logos next to the bronze were there at the unveiling...
That must have been added during the "restoration".
BTW - Walter Allward designed The Canadian Vimy Memorial in Vimy, France.