Labor on Land - Cook County Building, Chicago, IL
Posted by: 
adgorn
N 41° 53.030 W 087° 37.867
16T E 447637 N 4637070
Robust semi-nude figure holding a tool in one hand. The figure ponders over a plan which rests on his knee. Sculpted by Leon Hermant, with Carl Beil.
Waymark Code: WM8APG
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 03/02/2010
Views: 7
Located on the left side of entrance.
From Riedy “Chicago Sculpture”
"The sculptors were apparently influenced by Michelangelo, who portrayed his figures with overwhelming power of expression based on profound knowledge of human anatomy."
The other sculpture of the pair by Hermant here is entitled Labor on Water, located on the right side. Both are in between the Cook County Building Figures. All are waymarked.
Leon Hermant (1866-1936) was an American sculptor best known for his architectural sculpture. Hermant was born in France, educated in Europe and came to America in 1904 to work on the French Pavilion at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri. For most of his career he was based in Chicago and frequently worked with a partner Carl (Charles) Beil.
Other of his works in the area that I have waymarked include Louis Pasteur Memorial (http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM7G9Y_Louis_Pasteur_Memorial_Chicago_IL) and the three sets of reliefs at the Intercontinental Hotel (http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM7WTH_Intercontinental_formerly_Radisson_Chicago_Hotel_Reliefs_Contribution_Chicago_IL, (
visit link) and (
visit link) and the Frieze on the (former) Illinois Athletic Club.
Make sure you visit the adjacent Labor on Water and Cook County Building Figures waymarks and then walk around (or through) to see the City Hall Building waymarks on La Salle Street.