New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-29
OSCAR WILDE And CHICAGO SCULPTOR.

Chicago can hardly yet be called a nursery
for the fine arts, aud when young man there develops
any considerable artistic talent he is possessed OF
espondng ambition. he does not rest content until
by hook or by crook, by borrowing or boarding, he
has accumulated sufficient money TO enable him 10 take
a course Of study abroad.
When Oscar Wilde last lectured in Chicago young
man Of this character named Donohue was living there
He had strong bent for sculpture, and his artistic tai
ent was backed up by shrewdness and common sense.
He previously managed to study for brief period
in Paris specimen OF his workmanship bad been
admitted 10 the Salon Then his funds out and he
had 10 return precipitatey to Chicago. He opened
studio there but with little recognition encour
agement. The debit and credit ends OF his accounts
could not be made meet by very wide margin His
fortunes were at a low ebb, aud he was seriously
thinking OF adopting some more remunerati'e
occupatiou Of belakng himself 10 cattle ranch or turn
ing dry-goods CLERK when Oscar Wilde arrived in the
city and began course of lectures Donohue attended
one Of his lectures aud then called upon him. He In
vited visit his studio and pass Judgment upon
his work. The asthete felt hatered AT the compliment
to his critical acumen He pronounced the specimens
he saw excellent. DOnohue then told him his story.
Oscar Wilde at his lecture upbraded the people OF
Chicago their lack Of appreciation of home talent
He said there was living among them young man who
had In him the ability TO become sculptor Of such re-
nown that his fame would shed ustre on his native
city, but who likely TO fall far short OF achieving his
OF the scant encouragement ana Inadequate
opportunities for study afforded him, and much more to
the effect
This naturally led to inquiries to who THE budding
genius could be who had heretofore remained compare
lively unknown. 1t gradually leaked out that DOnohue
was DOnohue sharp enough TO see his OPP
portunty. He was naturally of jovial and sociable
temperament aud had sympathy with the afectation
sthetcsm but he perceived that in order to win his
point be must dissemble" He hied him to a tailor and
had made suit Of clothes Of fantastic cut including
pair OF trousers OF the ghtest possible 1t He banged
his hair He contorted his features into expressOn
of woebegone melancholy. His brow was corrugated as
though with the intensity Of his aspirations for the IDEAL
He attltudnzed In public places and got himself talked
about. He succeeded all the better because he had
fine figure and good looking. "Who Is that IDIOT"
was frequently asked by curious Observers and the
number daily Increased OF those who able to
swer: "That is the genius who discovered by Oscar
Wilde" II befe that he attracted the attention
OF rich merchant IN Chicago, who made Donohue's
was a good one TOR investment of small portion OF
his supernuous wealth. and offered 10 pay Donohue
81 800 year for hye years., during which
period he to study sculpture In Europe only
STIMULATING in return he should receive
the best piece OF work that the young artist
might produce in the interim. D0nOhue eagerly
accepted the proposition and in Paris where 1t
expression careless good humor and the garb which
he the insignia OF bghted genius has been
reegated 10 the most obscure corner OF his wardrobe
But Oscar Wilde and Donohue remain good friends.