The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-09
AN ARTISTS SUDDEN DEATH.

JACOB D. BLoNDELL DIES SUDDENLY IN HIS
sTUDIo-THE DISCOVERY OF HIS REMAINS
BY HIS FELLOW ARTISTS
On the top floor Of the builiing situated at No 500
Broadway dwells small colony OF artists, most of
whom known favoraby IN the art circles Of this
city They not tho most successful In pecuniary
point OF view and the fashionable world does not often
venture to send its emissares up the steep lights of
stairs that must be passed the regions OF high
be reached. But nesting in this neglected eyrie
dozen kindly spirits whose lives devoted
to the study of the beautiful And nere among Others
dwelt Jacob D. Blondell whose face AMI figure were
years ago. Time had, however, in hts case brought
oblivion, and for years ho had almost ceased to DO
known outside his circle OF artist friends.
DAYS OF SUNSHINE.
In his youth hc had been a successful portrait
painter and, bong man Of refined tastes and inte
gence. was much sought In society. HIS portraits Of
children were especially happy. Thoy were remark
able for their grace, sweetness of expression and
beauty OF color some caprice OF fashion turned
patronage into new channel and year by orders
came at longer intervals, until within the past few
years they well nigh ceased altogether Then came
period Of painful struggle which Terminated only with
the artists death. VI proud and sensitive nature,
Jacob Bondoll neither sought aid IRON his com.
his friends Shut up his studio, be suffered
IN silence neglect and poverty, bearing up
bad been In bad health and lattery his appeal ance
had excited the apprehensons OF his neighbors Mr..
Miller brother artist, whose studio is next TO the
which in life Mr. Blonde occupied, was alarmed
yesterday by the non-appearance OF his friend the
previous night.
LONELY DEATH.
Fearing he might be FRUSTRATED by sickness Miller
knocked ut Blondells door In the morning. and no
reply given he assembled 10 the ROOT OF the
and looking into the studio through the skyIgh saw
Mr.. Blondell lying on the sofa motioness and appar-
emily dead. Now thoroughly alarmed he called
several OF the neghboripg artists, among others Mr.
Silva and led them 10 the ROOT TO witness tho
that presented Itself 10 the room below After short
consultation It resolved TO summon the police,
and as soon officer arrived the door was orccd
OPEN Mr. Biondell lay as If asleep but tho clottcd
blood which had oozed from and mouth told that
he had died from sudden hcmorrhagc. Everything in
the room was arranged III It's usual order; Tor unlike
most artists, Mr. Biondc was scrupuiously neat and
orderly In the arrangement Of his studio IL ev-
carried him TO better world before he was conscious
OF the pain OF leaving this
FRIENDS.
Very little Is known concerning tho family relations
OF the deceased except that he has living
either In this city or In Brooklyn, with whom he does
not appear to have maintained very intimate relations
THIS 10 accounted Tor by his sensitive nature which
position. Among tho distinguished people with
whom the deceased artist was known to
havo ut one timo maintained friendly relations
were the TivIngstons, General Thomas Francs
Meaghcr, Commodore Meade and General CcsGola
whose discoveries IN Cyprus have made him famous.
Among the pictures found In his studio is full length
portrait OF General CcsnoIa Mr. BIondel was born in
He oil cheerful aud socable disposition and we'll
lkcd by his brother artists He had been associate
member OF the National Academy oil Design Tor many
years before his death.