The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1879-06-24
4 BLIND SCULPTOR.

Much has been written about the diff
nculties with which the blind have 10
contend. When they devote themselves
to music, piano-forte tuning, or ordi-
nary hand labor, il is easy TO under.
stand that they may attain n certain
amount OF proficiency. But when the
question Of art is concerned the want
Of sight would appear to be an almost
insurmountable obstacle TO success,
rarely to be overcome except 10y the in
spiration of genius.
NJ. Louis Vidal, the blind sculptor
TO whom We allude, was born in MIS-
mess in 1881, and when young man
came TO Paris, where he commenced
his artistic studies under the direction
Of NJ. NJ. Barye and Rouillard. He
was then, and has ever been, true
lover Of the art in every sense, but at
the early age of twenty-one he was
quite suddenly attacked with paralysis
OF the eyes and became completely
blind. Having cultivated up TO that
time the excellent notions he had re-
ccived from such men of talent as Bar
We, Praider aud others, he did not al
low the great calamity which had befall-
en- him to turn him from the career he
had chosen, and he determined that
his fingres should replace his eyes in
the execution Of his artistic concep-
tions. In the course of time his sense
Of feeling acquired au increase OF pow
CT TO such an extent as almost 90 com
pensate for the loss OF sight, and it was
by the careful manipulation OF living
subjects and OF the work. of his col
leagues kindly placed at his disposal
that he charged his memory with the
forms and outlines which his fneness
II touch enabled him to produce at
FIRST in the plastic clay and afterwards
IN the block OF marble.
Tho writer Of this notice we'll remem-
bers poor Vidal from 1855 TO 1866. --
During that time the blind sculptor
used to frequently walk in the beauti-
full gardens Of the Luxembourg palace,
not then disfgured by intersections;
and he walked with such assurance that
persons who did not know him would
never have supposed he was blind
When his promenade was finished, he
was in the habit of going TO the cafe
du theatre du Luxembourg, which he
entered with as much confidence as
any other person, 10 sit down quite
calmly 10 coffee and a game OF dOmi-
noes, that he won more often than he
lost. When once he had felt the dots
on the dominoes he knew how TO play,
and never made n mistake. He has
never quilted the neighborhood OF the
Luxembourg. where he still lives in
the Rue Demfert- -Rochereau.
-. -. N.Ns H..
sors, Vidal has produced several origi-
nal creations. He has exhibited for
more than twenty years in Succession,
and received a medal in 1861. Lions,
panthers, dying stays, goats, cows.
horses, asses, tigers, bulls and dogs are
the subjects OF his prediction. Many
Of his works, though produced slowly,
have been purchased by the State on
account Of their real merit, and En-.
press Eugenie made the acquisition Of
one Of his productions during the reign
Of the late Emperor, Napoleon III.
Vidal works at any hour of the day
or night, but prefers night time on ac-
count OF being able TO work alone and
in silence. He has been known to in.
yite friend 10 his humble studio after
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was not blind aud could not see in the
dark. When reminded Of the fact, he
would iocularly stimulate great haste,
GO TO the mantelpieco for matches, and
light a wax candle without difficulty,
as he would also a cigar. NJ. Vidal
never says: 81 feel" or 81 touch, .
but II see" and he is terribly averse
to be pitied for his calamity, of which
he does not even like 10 be reminded.
He is an art critic, and may be seen al
all exhibitions manipulating the pieces
II sculpture in the minutest manner
previous 10 passing his opinion upon
them, which he generally does most ju
diciously and without any prejudice. 80
His own love Of art Is so rooted IN him
self that he is delighted when he en-
counters work OF merit which he car
cordially praise. Although only forty
eight years Of age, lac has already pro
dnced enough 20 insure his reputation
as man OF genius, and TO give birtl
to the regret on the part Of his admir-
ers that he lost the inestimable bless
ing OF sight, which might have enabled
him TO arrive at the very pinnacle o
scnlplural art Continental Gazette