Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-05-27
NATIVE ART.
An Afternoon I'm Winnie Ream's
studio.

An Afternoon I'm Winnie Ream's
studio.
From the New York Star.l
The studio of Winnie Ream, the dis
tinguished young sculptress, of whom
America may well be proud, was visited
yesterday by large number of persons
interested in art. Our citizens have now
an opportunity to judge for themselves
whether Winnie does not possess genius
as we'll as curls. The femenine Wash.
ington correspondents, jealous of her
winning, taking ways and sparkling eyes,
called her works abortions, and denied
her capability of handling clay. The
old woman of the Tribune ignorantly as
sumes that Winnie ought to have ham
mered out, with her own delicate hands,
her statue of Abraham, quite ignorant Of
the fact that sculptor is nomore called
upon to do this mere mechanical part OF
the work than q painter is to manufac-
ture his canvas and brushes or an archi-
tect to turn bricklayer. But Winnie s
heart was so bound up in the success OF
the work that she did finish the famous
Tor infamous" as the Tribune puts it)
creation with her own hands.
Lincoln's bust is now ON exhibition
at her studio, No. 704 Broadway, and is
an exact reproduction of that at the
capitol.
One of Vinnie's choicest productions
is "Sappho" also on exhibition at the
authors studio. This figure stands
before the beholder in her Grecian tunic
and sandals-a Tyre, crowned with roses,
at her feet. The tunic is fastened on
the left shoulder with clasp, and falls
in graceful folds revealing the left shoul-
der and bust in oil their loveliness. In
the left hand is a roll OF papyrus, with
an inscription in Greek, which, trans
lated, reads: Thou must die, and no
memory of thee shall remain" Sappho
stands musingly Her whole soul is
wrapped up in deep and melancholy
reverie, and she sees nothing of the outer
world But there is no gloom in the
thoughtful face; heavenly calm broods
over it, and about the pure lips there
even fingers smile, faint indeed, but
still defined. The writer next turned to
AMERICA.
A noble face, full of majesty. The
hair waved simply back, and crowned
with garland of oak leaves, the tradi-
tional helmet being dispensed with.
Well done, Winnie. That proves that
you are capable of an idea. Our New
York bellies ought to walk down to view
America" hair, and take pattern after
it. The style would be decided INK
bA Na, how
dis6gure themselves with. Next comes
THE BUTTERFLY
mot the butterfly of fashion, but darl-
ing little laughing boy, with butterfly
resting on his right shoulder. This bust
is finished with an exquisite wreath of
lilies of the valley. This, one of Miss
Ream's earliest works, really deserves
great praise. 1t is a portrait of the lit
tie son of Mr.. Clark, the architect Of the
capitol at Washington. Side by side
with it stands the Morning Glory" a
bpS of the artists nephew. 1t is pure,
sweet face, perfect contrast to the
other. The Butterfly" looks as ro-
guish as possible-an urchin up to all
sorts of mischief; but " Morning Glory :"
looks the infant poet In conclusion,
the writer would mention
THE SPIRIT OF THE CARNIVAL"
last but not least. This proves that
Miss Ream's talent is varied and that
some of our great men ought to give her
commissions for something else than
busts. Why should man want his ugly
head immortalized2 Let our millionaires
ignore self for once and pay Winnie to
produce more works like this, instead of
having their common place profles
wrought out to be at no distant day de-
posted by their relicts into garrets; let
them pay for something for which the
world will bless them.
The spirit of the Carnival" is en-
tirely original, never having been en-
bodied till Miss Ream took it in hand.
The figure is full of action. 1t is that of
young girl seated on the broken pedes-
tai of column, in the act of throwing
wreath. A cross is suspended about
her neck, a mask is at her feet. She is
smiling in the joy of her innocent heart
and dimples play in her cheeks. The
figure is only partially draped; that in
the eyes Of some will be fault.
Miss Ream has not yet got fairly to
work, but in day or two she will be
deep in the clay again, and will have
little time to chat with her numerous
visitors. Her first New York commits
sion is bust of DR.. Deems, of the
Church of the Stranger, to be modelled
in clay. Doubtless other orders will
flow in upon her shortly. We wish her
all success. May she remain long with
us and find New Workers appreciative
and paying = especially paying, for
genius cannot live upon air, and as all
the world knows, or ought to know, Vim
ME Ream has not only to make her own
way in the world, but to support her
father and mother and delicate sister,
not to speak of other relatives.