Lorado Taft's group--Description--Each stands alone--Each is in touch
with every other--Soul communion in silence--Silence is the sanctuary
of the soul--The oneness of life and its apparent separateness--The
message.
In one of the rooms of the Art Institute, in Chicago, stands a
remarkable group, by Lorado Taft, the sculptor, entitled "The Solitude
of the Soul." The average visitor stops a moment and passes on,
commenting on the beauty of the figures composing this group. A few
hurry past, afraid to look at the figures, for they are nude--as naked
as the human soul before the gaze of its Creator. (Some people are
afraid of things not hidden by draperies--even the naked Truth shocks
them.) But the man or woman who thinks and understands--stops long
before this group, conscious that it tells the tale of a mighty truth.
Around a large rock, stand four human figures--two men and two women.
They are so placed that but one figure is in full sight from any given
point of view, although the connection between any figure and the two
on each side of it may be seen. It is necessary to walk completely
around the group to see the idea of the sculptor--to read the story
that he has written into the marble.
Each figure has an individuality. Each stands alone. And yet each
is in touch with the one behind, and the one before. Each one is
connected with all, yet each one stands alone. One figure extends a
hand to her brother just ahead of her, and on her shoulder rests the
tired head of the brother following her. Hand in hand, or head on
shoulder stand they, each giving to the other that human touch and
contact so dear to the soul craving that companionship of one who
understands.
Each face shows sorrow, pain, and longing--that longing for that
complete union of soul with soul--that longing that earth-life cannot
satisfy. And each feels and knows that the other has the same longing.
And each gives to the other that comforting touch that says "I know--I
know." Each face shows a great human love mingled with its pain. Each
face shows resignation mingled with its grief. It is the old story of
human love and human limitations. It is also a story of deeper
import--the story of the soul.
Every lip is closed. Each man and woman is silent. And yet each
understands the other. Soul is communing with soul, in the Silence.
And in the Silence alone can soul converse with soul. Words cheapen
the communication of soul to soul. With those who understand us well,
we can best commune in Silence. Hand in hand--cheek to cheek--sit
those who love well. The tale of love is told and re-told without a
word. Words serve their purpose in conveying the commonplaces of life,
but seem strangely inadequate to express the deeper utterances of the
soul. The tale of love--the story of sorrow--needs no words. The soul
understands the message of the soul--mind flashes the message to
mind--and all is known. The fondest memory of the one whom you loved
and lost, is not of moments in which he spoke even the most endearing
words. The memory most sacred to you is that of some great Silence
lived out with the loved one--some moment in which each soul drew
aside its veil and gazed with awe into the depths of the other soul.
Silence is the sanctuary of the soul. Enter it only with due
reverence. Uncover the head--tread softly.
Each figure stands alone, and yet in touch with all the rest. Each is
apparently separate and yet each is but a part of the whole. Each
feels the frightful solitude which comes to the soul when first it
recognizes what it is. And yet, in that dreadful moment each knows
itself to be in touch with all of life. Each feels that intense
longing for a closer soul union--a reunion of the separated parts of
the whole. And yet each realizes the impossibility of the consummation
of that desire at this time--and they show their grief--they place the
head upon the shoulder of the other--they clasp the hand of the
other--they touch the flesh of the other--all as a symbol of the
desire for the union of the soul.
This group is a symbol of the oneness of life and its apparent
separateness. A picture of the in-touchness of each part of the whole,
with every other part. A story of the pain of the soul in its awful
solitude--of its impotent striving for at-one-ment. A representation
of the communion of soul with soul, in the Silence. A tale of the
comfort and joy in the presence of another human form. A message of
The Brotherhood of Man. All this--and more--is in this group.
I wonder if the sculptor saw it all, or whether he chiseled better
than he knew. Sometimes the Divine in man causes him to write
better--paint better--cut better--than he realizes. Others see much
more in his essays, stories, poems, paintings, statuary, than the
maker knew was there. And the man himself, after years have past again
views his work, and wonders at the new story he reads there. He feels
dazed at having portrayed truths of which he dreamt not while he
worked. There are within us unexplored depths, of the existence of
which we do not dream. And from these depths, now and then, rise into
our consciousness beautiful thoughts--beautiful images--which we
reproduce on paper--canvas--marble. We do not understand these things,
and we join with others in the feeling of wonder inspired by the sight
of the reproduction of that which came from the depths of our mental
being. And some, who have grown closer to the Real Self within them,
see beauties in our work to which we are blind. Not until the scales
fall from our eyes, do we realize the full meaning of our work.
Some call this Inspiration. But those who have pierced the veil
know that it is inspiration from within, not from without. It is the
voice of the Divine spark within man, whispering to the consciousness
which is struggling to know better that Higher Self--a whisper of
encouragement and good cheer--a portent of the future--a glimpse of
the distant light--a bestowal of a few crumbs from the table of the
Spirit.
I know not, I say, whether Lorado Taft knew what he chiseled. I know
not whether he is a man of deep spiritual insight. But this I do know,
that this group, "The Solitude of the Soul" is the work of the Spirit
within this man. And his work carries a deep spiritual message to
those who are ready to receive it. And in years to come this message
will be understood by thousands, for everyone who receives it to-day.
This work shall live long after its maker has forsaken the earthly
body that he now uses as an instrument. It will live because it
carries a message--because it conveys a mighty truth.