It was the last work commissioned by the Constance Fund, a sum of money set aside by the painter and patron of art Sigismund Goetze to form a memorial to his wife Constance. As it turned out, he died first and the fund was administered by Constance until her death in 1951.The fund was set up for "the encouragement of Ideal Sculpture and its setting for Parks and Public Places in conjunction with the settings and surroundings"; had a rather odd committee structure, set up by Goetze, consisting of "three sculptors, an architect, a horticulturalist and a few laymen." When a site was found, a competition was held offering five prizes of £50 and £1,500 to the winner.
"The Joy of Life" is a great work, full of both joy and life. The four children playing in the spray are particularly charming.
It was for "the encouragement of Ideal Sculpture and its setting for Parks and Public Places in conjunction with the settings and surroundings". The problem with this instruction was how would decision makers know what "ideal" sculpture was, especially after the death of the donor.
ReplyDeleteSince the sculpture was to be placed in important public places, was there ever a member of the local council on the committee?