By Linda Harvey
The Spa Complex at the Saratoga Spa State Park (1930-1935) has a very significant architectural sculpture created by the Yonkers, New York artist George Holburn Snowden, (1901-1990).
Snowden who sculpted exclusively in clay, stone, and bronze had the distinction of working with the renown French artist Auguste Rodin’s sculpting tools that he received as a bequest from his mentor Swiss sculptor, Robert Eberhard who received them in turn from Rodin. Eberhard was a professional in Rodin’s studios in the latter part of the 19th century. Rodin is famous for the “Kiss” (1889) and the “Thinker” (1902) figures. These tools were later passed on to Snowden’s daughter, the California based artist Mary Louise Snowden.
Snowden was a Professor of Sculpture at Yale University from 1926-1941. His work moved into a monumental calling as he carried out massive projects of the Works Progress Administration under President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal Program of the 1930’s and influenced a generation of figurative artists. He received many International and National awards with the most prestigious being the 1927 Prix de Rome.
His numerous contributions to sculpture throughout his 65 year career in the United States included an extensive list of over 100 commissioned public placements that now constitute as national historic landmarks. These include the Connecticut State Capitol, the pediment at the U.S. Post Office Building, the altar of Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, and the Federal Triangle in Washington D.C. Snowden’s work culminated in his 30 foot-triad, the “Labors of Man” for the 1939 New York World’s Fair.
With the coming of World War II Snowden concluded his tenure at Yale and was asked by the famed film director, Cecil B. De Mille to come to Hollywood to create a range of statuary for numerous motion pictures, including the Robe (1953), the Ten Commandments (1956), and the entire Circus Maximus arena set for the Ben Hur movie (1959).
After his work in Hollywood, Snowden accepted Walt Disney’s invitation to create sculpture for Disneyland and Epcot Center Theme Parks. His work there remains icons of popular culture to this day with the sculptural creations at the favorite Pirates of the Caribbean attraction that opened in 1967.
Prior to Snowden’s work on the Spa Complex, he collaborated with the Architect Joseph Friedlander on the stately Bronx County Courthouse. Friedlander was also the architect for four of the seven buildings at the Spa Complex: The Hall of Springs, Administration, and Roosevelt Spas I and II Buildings. He studied at the Ecole de Beaux Arts in Paris where symmetry and balance were central to the school’s principles. The formal geometric landscape plan at the Spa Complex also compliments the overall formality between the buildings.
The four massive pediments at the Spa Complex fit into these principles and are carved in bas-relief in the Art Deco sculptural style used in large architectural pieces at the time. This style is characterized by bold geometric massing on a monumental scale combined with ornamental detail and sculpture derived primarily from ancient Greek or Roman models.
The east facing pediment over at the Hall of Springs is a fountain flanked by a maiden on the left and a heroic young man on the right. The deer behind her represents nature, the dog domestication and together they hold an urn entwined with two snakes attributed to Asklepios, Greek God of Medicine and Healing. The pediment on the west side facing SPAC depicts early Dutch settlers acquiring ownership of the springs from a Mohawk Indian.
At the west elevation at the Administration Building the pediment centers around the Goddess of Wisdom Athena. The unclothed figure on her left with the urn representing the Saratoga Springs water. The male figure is the Greek God Asklepios.
Dominating the Spa Little Theater pediment is Zeus, king of the Greek Gods presiding over two women representing the life-giving powers of the springs. He has his arm around a young girl representing fertility who gives nourishment to a child. On his left is his wife Hera who carries a jug and is the allegory of the springs.
In two niches flanking the east entry of the Hall of Springs are Snowden’s two pink marble free standing figures that communicate an early 20th century profile while incorporating classic design elements.
The female figure holds grapes, oak branches, and the cornucopia of fertility and represents Earth – one of the four elements in the science of the ancient Greeks.
The adjacent male statue standing in front of a seal signifies water with netting over his shoulder and clutching fish. The two empty niches on the Administration Building were designed to be for the other two elements Air and Fire but were never completed
During your next visit to the Spa Complex take a closer look at these beautiful pediments and statues that contribute to the significance of the National Historic Landmark Saratoga Spa State Park.
2/27/22
