Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-11-07
NO. 264

| pdic, ditu ucI WIN
raj brilliancy. Her soul is wearing out
her body, DOCTOR" said he to Corona. The
doctor assented sorrowfully, without dar-
ing to betrar The secret.
Maria afterwards said that her life had
begun only from the time when she per-
ceived the presence of the divine spark in
her. All the former years faded from her
remembrance. Her Imagination became
filled with beautiful forms. Her ears were
ever open to catch words of instruction
from her master or his visitors. Her eyes
greedily devoured the models that sur
rounded her. She took Pulci's books to
her room, and learned all that they could
teach her. Whenever she went forth, it
was to some church or the vactican, to adj
mire the achievements of the schools.
At length she felt herself sufficiently pre-
pared to attempt original productions, and
she began to model a statue OF Minerva.
a practical hand would probably. have
produced result as good as hers in
Il much shorter time; but she was igno-
rent ofroutine, and many accidents retard-
ed her work. However, as time proceed
ed the figure grew under her hands; and,
day by day, the consciousness of her own
genius increased within her. Her deter
mination was to send the figure to the an
nual competition for the prize-secretly-
in order that she might hear the impartial
opinion of the judges. The difficulties in
her way were immense. But she over
came them all and when, one day, Master
Pulci was absent, some porters, sent by
DIR. Corona, came and took away her mod
ell. Thus it was removed to the eXhibi
ton hall, W thout accident.
Maria entered with the crowd on the ap-
| nointoJ ,lny onI ,,IaoaI barcalf upar N
her statue. Her ambition did not extend
to winning the prize. All she dared to
hope was to escape ridicule. But her as
tonishment was indescribable on perceiv-
ing by degrees all the connossieurs collect
around her Minerva, and begin to speak
enthusiastically in its praise. The Judges
stood before it in their turn. Her heart
swelled nightly within her, and it was
with difficulty she could repress her pride
and exaultion. These came to their height
when the prize was unanimously given
her statue and a crier began to exclaim,
LET the sculptor of the Minerva declare
himself!" 1t then struck her, in her con-
| fusion, that Il woman had no right to
compete, and she hastened away unper-
ceived.
| Her object however was gained. She
was now sure that she had not deceived
herself by false idea of her own merit.
and she saw in the future long series OF
triumphs. Dr. Corona, who had watched
her, followed and complimented her.
Even he had not dared to admire her work
until puolic opinion had crowned it. He
went with her to the studio of Pulci, and
there she threw herself on her knees be-
fore her master and confessed the truth.
He thought she was mad; and it was not
until DR.. Corona confirmed her statement
that he could believe that his servant girl
Maria had won the first prize OF sculpture
by the unanimous vote of the first artists
of Rome.
The news soon spread through the city,
and Savorini came hastily to compliment
the young artist She allowed him to en-
brace her, and listened gratefully when
he said-''she must be at once raised from
her menial capacity 1t is impossible to
deprive the arts of this wonder" He did
not now repeat his declaration of affection
but he seemed to clam Il right to watch
over her future fortunes. Pulci at once
agreed to look out for another servant;
but Maria refused to quit his house. II
will superintend everything STILL" she
said
The three supperea together pleasantly
that evening, and Savorini began the well
known etching which represents Maria
sitting at the feet of her Minerva, pausing
in her work to admire it. Next day all
the elite of Roman art came flocking to
| hail their new comrade For some months,
indeed, the fashionable society of the city
talked of nothing else but this pleasant
story, and it became a popular opinion
that Maria would equal or surpass the
greatest masters. There was some ex-
aggeration in this. The causes which
would have made them refuse to acknowl-
ekge her talent before her pHblic triumph
induced, them to magnify it now. ltseem-
ed SO extraordinary that servant girl
from the Campaign di Roma could do any
thing that people began to suppose moth
ing was too great for herto perform. Even
old Nosotti, Maria's father undertook
journey to Rome for the purpose OF seeing
his daughter, and looked in ut St. Peters
by the way. She received him with delight
but shook her head when he suggested
that she might now marry farmer Raimo-
neo. Savorini who was by, ventured a
hope on his own account, and he whis-
percd something in her ear. She smiled
family, and giving him her hand, said
'.f YOU ask me again in six months will
say yes !" He did not understand.
The truth was that the devine spark was
burning too liercely within. In vain DIR.
Corona eXerted his art, and endeavored
moreover to wean Maria for while from
the studio. The hectic flush and the bril-
liant eyes proved true prophets.
Minerva was the only work of the SER
want Maria, who died on the twelfth OF
May, eighteen hundred and one.