The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-05-24
Harriet Ho.ner and Charlotte Cu.hman.

A correspondent Of the CbicagOan writes from
Rome:
Miss Hosmer's studio is the prettiest in Rome
The little entrance court, with its beautiful flowers
and singing canaries, is delightful change from
the hot, dusty streets. When we went in it was
her reception day, and she was showing to some
strangers the fountain in the center of the first
room. In the middle of the basin a siren sits
singing. Below, in the basin, three charming
little fellows are bestrding dOlphins lying on the
broad leaves Of aquatic plants. They are fasci-
mated by the music, and one has his dimpled hand
at his ear, listening intently, when the water
spouts from the shells above. Miss Hosmer has a
peculiar mode of tinting the marble. l think she
must have caught the better part Of Gibson's
idea, for she does not give II flesh color, but a
light creamy tint, which adds greatly to the ex-
preston OF the statue, and seems like the true
color Of cold marble. She spoke of this, and
said, pointing to the fountain, "All those babies
have got to be washed before they go away"
Miss Hosmer has got very vivacious manner, q
little abrupt and very decided, and when she
speaks in clear, ringing tones, in moments when
you or she have just said something that plesses
her, her expression and manner are exceedingly
charming, and her laugh, which came often while
we were there, is one of the most musical have
heard. She wore a little velvet cap, which re-
minded me Of Raphael's.
In the same room with the fountain is fine
copy Of her Puck, She has mate for him in her
later Will-o'.the.wisp, or at least comrade, but
the latter Is not quite so bewitching. Bat the
glory of her rooms is q head Of Medusa. | have
always thought that to fulfill the true idea Of the
old myth, Medusa should be wonderfully beauti.
full but / never saw one so before. This is the
head of a lovely girl; her rich hair kept back by
iillet from the noble forehead, seems at first to
recede in waves; when you see that these waves
terminate In serpents 1t strikes you with no feel
ing Of repusion. The face, whose eyes look up
ward, is full of glorious sadness TO which the ser.
penis add an idea Of mystery and gloom, which
makes the beauty more fascinating and thrilling;
and the folded wings which come down over the
hair each side Of the face give an air Of majesty
10 the head which enhances the effect Il was
hard for me TO look away from the statue; il long
gazing would have turned one to stone the old
traditions would have been fulfilled. In the
reighboring room was full length and several
busts of the stately Zenobis, whom you doubtless
saw in Chicago a few years ago.
Miss Hosmer asked us into her inner roam,
where she herself works. Just beyond the en-
trance stands the work on which she is now
engaged-The Waking Faun. 1t is the sequel TO
the lovely Sleeping Faun, which was exhibited at
Paris. The Waking Faun is yet only clay, and is
duly undergoing the moulding Of the sculptor's
hand. / was glad to see it in this form, as il
shows one how entirely the whole expression OF
the statue is due TO the sculptor himself. and
how mechanical is the work which the chisel af.
terwsrds performs. Miss Hosmer played upon il
with hose as we went in, saying, 81 think sprnk-
ling improves his expression" Here the Waking
Faun has caught the offender in the act, and with
one hand grssping the little mischief by the hair,
is bending back his head and looking in his face,
with Q countenance into whose sweetness and
good humor be tries in vain TO introduce look OF
sternness. lyon see be takes it coolly," said
Miss Hosmer " Fauns don't get angry you know.
l should be ashamed to tell you how long | have
been on that statue, but-no, I shouldn't. Mr.
Gibson used to say, when was in his studio, and
working so long on that Medusa-' Nobody asks
You how long you have been on a thing but FOOLS
and you don't care what they Think"
Miss Cushmsn. whose beautiful house opens
wide it's hospitsble doors TO her countrymen here,
is very like her friend, Miss Hosmer, in manner.
Miss Cushmsn's Saturday receptions seem TO as
semble the pleasantest elements of artistic and
social life n Rome. She herself is host in enter
tanning her guests her singing is something pc