Gilbert intended the pedestals to bear two monumental sculptural groups, but they were never executed.
At the base, they may feature relief panels, free-standing sculptural groups or both.
The dates of both the temple and the sculptural group have occasioned some dispute.
People admired the force and variety of the jets of water playing over the sculptural groups.
At the time of its unveiling (1914) this trio was considered to be the largest sculptural group in the world.
When the sculptural group was carefully swung up to the surface, says the son, "everyone started to draw."
The sculptural group "Work Days and Holidays" received the greatest attention.
Numerous of his large sculptural groups still exist; smaller works can also be found in a number of museum collections worldwide.
The central sculptural group was added in 1882, after the Franco-Prussian War.
The façade often has a large window, sometimes a rose window or an impressive sculptural group as its central feature.