In 1891 his class at Harvard decided to give a memorial window, and Simmons got the commission. Then came the World’s Fair at Chicago in 1893, and Simmons obtained the commission to decorate the dome of the Liberal Arts Building. He chose for his subject four objects of American labor,—wood, iron, stone, and fiber. This painting shows strength, directness, simplicity, and dignity. It was his first mural decoration, and was a good experience. He saw his opportunity and made the most of it.
Almost immediately came the commission to decorate the Criminal Court Buildings of the Courts of Oyer and Terminer in the city of New York, which he worked out with enthusiasm. The subject represented is Justice, in the shape of a stately, dignified figure with a globe in one hand and the scales in the other. He draped this figure in an American flag; a hard problem, but cleverly worked out. The side panels to the right represent the Three Fates; those to the left, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.
Then came the commission for decorating the Congressional Library at Washington. He chose as his subject the nine muses.
Following this he received many commissions for work in private residences, and for a series of paintings for the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York City.
Simmons was one of the original members of the Ten American Painters, and is a member of the National Institute of Arts and Letters.
PREPARED BY THE EDITORIAL STAFF OF THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION
ILLUSTRATION FOR THE MENTOR, VOL. 2, No. 15. SERIAL No. 67
COPYRIGHT, 1914. BY THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION. INC.
FROM A COPLEY PRINT. COPYRIGHT BY CURTIS & CAMERON, INC.
HOSEA—DETAIL OF THE PROPHETS, by John Sargent