The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-11

Madame Hazard's Sculpture.

Madame Haxard's Sculpture.
The recent activity in art interest: in this city
has prevented our hitherto speaking as much In
detail as We could have wished In reference to
what is to be seen at the rooms of Madame II. de
Hazard, at the northeast corner of Seventeenth
street and Fourth avenue. Those rooms are now
open for the reception OF visitors at price which
Is merely nominal Madame Hazard. who is Of
mixed Russian and German descent, is better
known In society circles of Rome and Paris as an
accomplished lady than as professional artist.
She Is fine lnguist, composer and musical ANA
teur; has repeatedly, in the schools OF Milan and
Turin, taken the first prizes for modelling, and has
won admiration In Rome and Florence, in face OF
the fact that women there are not permitted
to compete for art medals. 1t Is fair to
infer. however, that her ruling passion ID love OF
art as expressed In sculpture. Ten enthusiastic
and patient years she devoted to the execution OF
those works with which her rooms at No. so Union
place are enriched, and which are now exhibited
for the first time prior to their sale. Her cOncep
lions are delicate and original. The patience and
Skill evidenced In the most minute details are
rarely exhibited In greater perfection. We can
recall no other sculptress now In this country
whose recent work presents an equal claim. Upon
entering the rooms the first group that attracts
attention is one named "Abbandonata," represent
themselves. The attitude Of the mother power
fully indicates Unreasonable dejectiOn-a detection
which might almost be termed despair. Neither
anger nor horror, neither hope nor resolution, Is
visible. The story told Is one OF irremediable
misery, far beyond the scope OF those expressions
IN which common grief INDUCES. 1t is
but paralyzed on account OF their desertion by
one Of their strongest natural protectors: II this
despair Is qualified at all 1t Is by film OF doubt,
hp mother n
realized her condition in all Its full tragedy. The
position Of the principal figure is easy and natural
| barmonzing with the sef-abnegation OF the grief
that Is expressed. The right hand rests passiyely
on the shoulder Of the boybaby at her feet. The
ingeniously between its tiny fingers; and the
charming simplicity Of this effect is rendered still
more emphatic by the playful attitude and wstiul
smiles Of the child's sister, who caresses that hand
OF their mother which is free. 1t may satisfy the
o. eur to Learn sa ese
ter OF the Countess Massei, descendant OF the IA
nous Beatrice Cenci. This group is exqulstey
the utmost elaboration. 1t is not easy to believe
that the -. most exacting , anatomist would
those laws upon which the expression of natural
posture and Of due proportion depends g. me
marble, rare always in italy, and quite unattaln-
able since the exhaustion of the quarry. It is
much harder than other marble and has that
| priced In costly statuary.
On the right centre is single figure, named
| e."
draped female figure, with flowing hair. The hands
are slightly elevated, but not clasped, though the
fingers join. The eyes look upward. the attitude is
wonderfully easy and the entire treatment severely
| artistic. No unpleasant conventionalisms are OBJ
yious in the drapery and more than one visitor
thlze in the, sculptress' evident preference
this work has
prayer is often one of the most touching forms OF
hope, perhaps the suggestion Is worth weighing.
| Something Of the Christ OF the medieval painter
is visible in the beauty Of the ideal Greek face.
Upon the left centre stands "La Pace GenerOSa,"
conception quite original. "Peace" has gener-
ally been delineated as an elated martyr or o
crowned victor. Nine. Hazards ideal Is that OF
calmly smiling woman, standing with graceful
dignity upon globe, on which are Indicated the
zOdiacal signs. The woman Is laurel crowned.
With her left hand she offers the olive branch; IN
her appraised right Is sheaf typical Of plenty. War
session OF lions skin, which is meant to emblem
ize force.
"Autumn" and Summer" deserve mention as
clever Innovations: Summer is symbdiIzed
to enter the water; ; Autumn l By " little
boy frut-laden. Two separate figures are employed
to express the sentiment OF "Rustic Felicity" Being
among Madame Hazards novtiate works. they
press her mature talent. There are two medallion
portraits in marble. One, representing the Prin-
cesse de PiemOnte the future Queen of Italy. is
among the best likeneSses OF the Princess ever
made by this method. Madame Hazards rooms
have been handsomely fitted up, ana among the
more interesting articles of virtu several from
the household of the recent Empress OF the French
taken by Gambetta from the palaces of the Tuileries
and st. Cloud during the COmmune's brief reign.
series of art and musical entertainments similar
to those popular in Europe win probably soon be
begun ut this tasteful little gallery.