Arts by Dylan: California Sea Lions in the Government Building at Columbian Exposition 1893 (Chicago World's Fair) Canvas

This is an actual photograph taken over 100 years ago at the Chicago World's Fair.  I downloaded a digital copy of the public domain image from the Smithsonian and edited it to my own liking in a 2022 version of Adobe Photoshop. The program has brought new life to the image and it it now avaiable for you to purchase and enjoy at home or the office. 

 

This photograph is from the interior of the US Government Building from an exhibit from the Department of Mammals.  The Seals in this photograph were a gift to the US Government Building from the Golden State of California.  These seals were native to the San Francisco Bay Area and you can visit seals in action at Pier 39 in San Francisco everyday. (Source: Pictoral history of the Columbian World's Fair which is an antique book from 1894 I purchased in Napa California a few years ago)

 

excerpt: 

"The California Sea Lions, which afforded such a fine illustration of the taxidermist's skill and attracted so much comment in the Government Building, were like old friends, not merely to Californiains who had seen them or their relations, enjoying themselves in the waters of the coast, but to thousands of people familiar with scenes in the parks of the great cities.  The Sea Lions exhibited in the Government Building were fine specifmens, well mounted and shown in the attitudes so familiar to those who have watched the movements of such animals when alive.  This was but one of the many fine exhibits from the Smithosnian Institution, and but aided to impress upon public attention, as did a host of other objects, the wide range of usefulness of that great public storehouse of scientific treasures.  The Smithosonian Institution and National Museum both stood higher in popular favor after they did before the Columbian Exposisition, because, a portion of their treasures having been seen by million,s, their aim and objects were better appreciated.  A group of stuffed Sea Lions, was ofcours,e nothing to speak of in such connection, but was one little think illustrative of the great work which has extended in Washington year by year since a generous Englishman showed more zeal for this country's advance in some directions than a host of wealthy Americans have done, leaving, as he did, the most of his possessions to aid in the promotion of general knowledge by the creation of a special and practical means of education."

 

Photographer: USA Board of Control and Management of the US Government Exhibit, World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893, Cimmittee on Photographing.