National Galleries of Scotland

This stereoscopic view shows the interior of the California Building at the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The fair was held to mark the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus?s arrival in the New World. Covering over 600 acres and featuring nearly 200 new buildings, the fair had a profound effect on architecture, the arts and industrial America. The California Building was the largest of the state buildings and this photograph highlights the central atrium. Standing tall, surrounded by jars of fruit and display cases, is the most remarkable statue of a warrior on his horse constructed from 20,000,000 pounds of prunes. California is the world leader in the production of prunes and with this audacious statement they are proudly displaying one of their most successful products.