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BELLEVILLE LIONS TO SPONSOR SHOWING OF RELI9IOUS ART“The Babe in the Manger,” a remarkable life-size reproduction in wax, is being sponsored by the Belleville Lions club, beginning September 15.The three-dimensional exhibit is a faithful study of Leonardo de Vinci’s famous painting. It will be open to the public from 8 until 12, September 15 through September 22. There is no admission charge but a free will offering will be accepted after the exhibit has been viewed. Funds realized from the reproduction will be used to further the charitable work of the Lions club in this area.H. B. Maxey, originator and designer of the display, estimates that more than 10,000,000 people have seen the $50,000 exhibit since it was first created.“The Babe in the Manger” follows de Vinci’s masterpiece faithfully. Detailed study was made ofthe painting, often with a magnifying glass, enabling the artists to copy faithfully the hair styles, fascial scars, coloring, and even such trivial items as the fingernails.The life-size figures were sculptured by Mr. Maxey, and his foster son, George Edmond Reed I of Atlantic City, N. J. After thej figures were produced in clay j they were placed in a three-sec-! tion plaster of paris mold. Into' this mold is poured hot melted wax, and when the wax has hard-{ ened to a depth of five-eights ofi an inch it is removed from thej mold. Tedious detail work is then begun. The wax is tinted flesh I color, glass eyes are inserted and human hair is implanted into the! wax image, one strand at a time, j A small broken needle is used inplacing the hair in place.Over a year of exacting workj went into the preparation of the exhibit. The figures and animalsare animated and all move andj even breathe and all are so lifelike that many say that even the | animals seem to express a look of understanding of the important) occasion. Nothing was left undone in producing this as faithfully asj possible.The exhibit is housed in aj special built trailer with an interior walkway along one length.! The display is behind glass and * the entire room is air-condition-j ed to maintain a temperature of 70 degrees.“The Babe in the Manger” is sponsored exclusively by the Lions International and is being shown throughout the United States and 3,3 foreign countries. The exhibit is not affiliated with any religious sect. It is a serious study of religious art and has proven an inspiration to the millions who have seen it.H. B. Maxey, and his foster son, George Edmond Reed, who are builders of Religious *Art exhibits, and now have three exhibits on tour and they supply the exhibits exclusively for Lions Club sponsorship, if you were fortunate in seeing their “Lord’s Last Supper” display that was brought here under the Lions Club, you were well rewarded for you did see something that was inspiring.The directors of the exhibition, especially urge that the schools, churches. and Sunday School classes to attend this showing, especially ministers and teachers.Mr. Maxey and son are now working on another masterpiece, the “CRUCIFIXION,” which also will be animated, time lighted and j voice recorded, and this will be (brought here within another year under the Lions Club sponsorship. These exhibits are owned and directed by Mr. Maxey and his son, Edmond Reed.
Newspaper Details
Columbia Monroe County Clarion
Columbia, Illinois, US
Wed, Sep 17, 1952
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Allen C.
IN, USA 18 Apr 2025
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