The longer you look at the Italian Towers the more you come to feel their subtle connection with the beauties around.

Only a genius could manipulate his colors as Jules Guerin has done in this splendid work before you.

The repeated cartouche in turquoise blue has a most lovely effect upon the whole.

Poised on the top of the Italian Towers is The Fairy (by Carl Gruppe).  She looks afar and sees the vision of this wondrous Exposition.

The Palace of Fine Arts

Architect — Bernard R. Maybeck of San Francisco.

Architecture — Old Roman in the main, with Italian Renaissance features.  In the background is the fire-proof art gallery of 113 rooms.

In front is a pergola, extending along an arc 1100 feet from end to end.  Ochre columns are closely grouped with pale green ones.

The Roman Corinthian capitals are burnt orange with an Indian-red ground.

The columns sweep forward on either side the rotunda, in the dome of which are Robt.  Reid’s eight murals.

1st Panel — Birth of European Art.

The central point of the picture is the altar on which is seen the sacred fire.  The guardian of this altar holds the torch.  She has three attendants, one holding a flask of oil, one pouring oil upon the altar and ready to apply the torch should the flame grow dim, a third one carefully watching the flame.  An earthly messenger, holding back his rearing steeds, leans from his chariot to receive the torch of inspiration.  A winged attendant checks for an instant the flight of these steeds.  In the left corner a woman holds a crystal ball in which the future of art is revealed.

2nd Panel — The Birth of Oriental Art.

The forces of earth try to wrest inspiration from the powers of the air. 
This is shown in an ancient Ming legend.

We see a Chinese warrior, mounted on a writhing dragon, combating an eagle.  Japan is seen under the great umbrella.  Two more Oriental figures are seen.

3rd Panel — Ideals in Art.

Greek ideal in the classic nude is seen.

Religion — Madonna and Child.

Heroism — Joan of Arc.

Youth and Material Beauty — Young woman on the left.

Absolute nature without ideal or inspiration — peacock.

Mystic figure in background holds cruse of oil to pour onto the sacred flame.

A winged figure floats above with laurels for the victorious living.

A shadowy figure in foreground holds the palm for the dead.

Panel 4 — Inspiration in All Art —

Music, Painting, Architecture, Poetry, Sculpture.

The torch that kindles the arts is again seen.

The veil of darkness is drawn back, revealing the arts.

There are also four panels showing the four golds of California —

Gold,
Wheat,
Poppies,
Oranges.