Of the monumental sculpture of the American Section most of the finest
examples are out-of-doors. The central hall of the gallery building
contains a collection that is worth studying piece by piece, including
such notable things as Daniel Chester French's "Alice Freeman Palmer
Memorial," Karl Bitter's "Signing the Louisiana Purchase Treaty" and
"Tappan Memorial," and Robert Aitken's "Mausoleum Door."
But by far the most notable thing about the sculpture display is the
extensive collection of charming small bronzes, which is scattered
through the many rooms. The visitor should especially make sure of
seeing certain individual group exhibits, such as the very freely
rendered figures by Paul Troubetzkoy in the International Room (108),
Paul Manship's groups, with their touch of classic appeal, in gallery
93, and the cases of statuettes by Abastenia St. Leger Eberle and Bessie
Potter Vonnoh, in gallery 65. Very rich in interest, too, is the
collection of medals and plaques, shown in galleries 38 and 39.