Photo Credit: Roving Rube. Viewpoint: Terrace of New York Public Library; 2/18/02 12:36 PM.

Notes (Roving Rube): This allegorical statue of Truth, by Frederick MacMonnies, sits atop a fountain just north of the entrance to the New York Public Library.

Henry Hope Reed, in his The New York Public Library; Its Architecture and Decoration, notes that the style of the statue (see Detail) is naturalistic, based on some particular individual, rather than an an ideal.

The Alternate View shows the base of the south fountain, Beauty. Beauty herself did not wish to be photographed until she could take a shower; however we do get to see the wonderful detailing of the fountain's base, with the additional interest of the water discoloration.

The New York Public Library (see In Context) is perhaps the most photogenic building in Manhattan, inside and out. As Reed points out, it is a living encyclopedia of classical ornament, and his guidebook leaves none of its volutes or acanthus leaves unturned.

Gillian Segal includes Reed in her portrait book of New York Characters, observing that his love for Classical Architecture is matched by his contempt for everything Modern:

"Museum of Modern Art? 'Ridiculous.' The United Nations? 'Mercilessly and savagely clean'. The acclaimed Seagram Building? 'A grotesque joke ... These trashy, giant glass boxes are junk. They are, quite simply, the glorification of junk and will end up in somebody's basement someday.'"