New-York tribune., 1877-11-13
ART PROGRESS AND HISTORY.
A TALK WITH w. W. STORY.
THE WORKS WHICH HE HAS IN HAND-wHAr scULr
TORS AND PAINTERS IL ROME ARE DOING.


TORS AND PAINTERS IN ROME ARE DOING.
When W. w. Story, the sculptor, who is
in this city. asked few days ago TO give some
description OF the works which he has under way he
complied willingly. Mr.. story is handsome well pre-
served gentleman. who somewhat resembles Judge
Brady, OF this city aud whose weshaped head covered
with frosty hair, pointed mousache and goatee, and
sparkling eyes, set bronzed oval face strongly call
TO mind some mOusquetaire as painted by Meissoner
"The last work which engaged prior TO my de-
parure this country" said Mr. story was Cytem-
nestra-that IS the last work OF Importance did little
Eros bronze just before leaving Rome. Cytemnesrais
represented standing with folded after having com
mitted the murder OF AgamemnOn. She is shown glory
ing in the deed This work being transferred from
the clay to marble also did recently Electra. She
is represented at the tomb OF AgamemnOn. Another
work which completed recently is an Acestis being
brought back from the lower regions by Hercules The
figure is draped All these works Of heroic sizes"
"What other important works are now being executed
at Rome by American scuptOrs r.
When left, believe that Rogers was engaged upon
an ideal hgure, representing the lost Plcad. Simmons,
Ives and MmOre were, presume, busy with new crea-
tiOns the latest notable work OF the lastnamed is be-
leye, the soldiers monument at Boston simmons, you
know is the sculptor OF the Roger Williams statue whlch
has lately erected Rhode Island Tue strngency OF
business has had OF effect the demand Tor ART
works abroad although self and doubtless the scuF-
tors named, have not been affected by IT, sti Is nat
ura that the hard times IN America should result I'D e"er
commissions and upon these that many art-workers
abroad largely depend The English French, and Amer
leans constitute the majority OF art patrons although
the Germans patronIse their countrymen Literally
Won AK me about the attempted sensation time ago
about art frauds; IL al the sheerest nonsense
As well say that L0ngfeOw does not write ms own
poems or ckens not the author OF ms novels as
assert sculptor who is well known does not chisel
his own works. Each man must be known by his style
l1v that no
mechanical labor do all that is necessary TO create
and stamp work with distinctive impress with my own
hands leaving wOrmen that which they can perform
as well l. aud better, since If sculptor were to de-
vote himself every detail Of mechanical execution he
would have very LITTLE opportunity 20 add 10 the number
OF MS works Yet because give ono OF my statues to
workman to be shaped think it none the less mine
than | would an article IN a newspaper when Lad
written because it had been put H. type and printed
There is the genuine atmosphere in Rome, Is there
mott"
surey we breathe art there and the same is true OF
Florence Since Rome became the capital OF Italy more
over. sho has become more and more an art centre
Many artists have from different parts OF the
country the capital since then There is thorousA
spirit Of art preservation, too The excavations tHat
have been made rather incidental 10 the city improve
meuts than fOr the sake Of what they have Oeeh eA
pected disclose have resulted in the recovery OF many
interesting Objects which have been carefully preserved
bv the numerous archaeological societies. No great
work has been found to be sure, but many well worth
attention have been gained. should say that
Rome is by all odds, the best place artists
or sculptors could visit. have long lived ihere
myself and probably shall remain % the end OF my days
For one reason, have very large studio M the faace
Barber and the mere removal Of my effects would De
weuugA useparable obstacle 20 my returning to tAis
country permanently The art schools to be ioun4 IN
Rome are unsurpassed. one advantage which they 0hr
Is any number OF models, which the sculptor can select
from The influence OF the Spanish school Of paintings is
being strongly felt Rome, particularly among ltaIau
artists VINO have caught its bold, ddshing effects ana
brilliant coloring FOruuy, the late lamented artis
was a notable exponent Of tins school He had not LONG
life and his success only came toward Its latest years
OF the French school. Henri Reglaut also dead, vas
perhaps unsurpassed. Wuen speak OF the prominence
OF the Spanish School, do not mean that It has any
really striking exempars in Spain, but that it is being
spleudidy illustrated in Rome by Italian artists.
Are there any artists OF prominence in Itaynow
They seem tie less notable when compare them with
tie od ID masters ana this is rather true OF painters than
sculptors."
Possibly said Mr. story, with Of the genial smiles
which occasional -t up his face, because there nave
been ID history scupOls tnan great painters
But ala-! we al live in the shadow OF the past!"