New-York tribune., 1884-11-29
JOEL r. HAR1'S REMAINS.
ON THEIR WAY HOME TO HIS NATIVE STATE


IRON AN OCCASIONAL coRREsPosDFSr OF Tas TRIBUNE.
FLORENCE italy, Nov. q.
The great American sculptor, Joel I. Hart did most
of his work and ended his lite in this city, and until
few days ago his remains reposed in the Protestant
cemetery here But last winter the General Assembly
OF the State of Kentucky appropriated sum of money
and provided for the appointment of commissioner to
bring them home for final nterment in his native
State The commissioner Mr. c. +. Kincaid, of Louis
ville Kentucky reached here several days ago. and
after getting special permit from the Italian Govern
ment, proceeded with the exhunation. When the
cholera was raging the Government decreed that no
bodies should be brought above earth but the disease
having abated and Mr.. Hart having been DEAD tor
seven years the removal OF his remains allowed.
ship which will carry to New-York. 1t will te re-
inferred in the State Cemetery ut Frankfort Kentucky
with imposing ceremonies. .
Mr. Hart made this city his home and studio for
nearly thirty years, and he known to its people
and TO all Englisb-speaking travellers as unique
character well artist of the highest order. In
his earlier days he had been stone mason an bnilt
rude fences and chneys among the farms ct his home
land beyond the Alegbanies When young man be
went into the City of Lexington, the home OF Henry
Clay, to live and commenced his artistic career a.
cutter of tomb stones His maiden effort IN marble
was a bust OF Cassus NJ Clay, the abolition advocate,
aud aterward Minister to Russia, under Abraham
Lincoln The work satisfactory that Mr. Hart
stimulated to essay greater works of art and In
1S49 he abroad with James u. Clay. the eldest
to Portugal Mr. Hart mt settled upon Florence
~ hs home, and completed bists of number of
prominent inen-Henry Clay, Andrew jackson. John
J. Crittenden, Ale xander Campbell and others. he
superb statues r CLAY for the cities OF NewOrleans
Richmond and Louisville followed.
Abuut the beginning of the War he returned to the
United States. and met with marked attention but
atpt few months tlsit he returned ~ Florence, never
Ia leave II aeaB. Ne then started upon hs statue
~ Woman triumphant" The woik upoh which hs iaine
chiefly tpsis he worked sisteen years upon the
nsuip, ana u Was spafteif eompslei when death
ealmed him ~ 1877, II represents beautiful wei,si
~ saliiess ngue hoing ~ a,iow pe'sed ahoye ", ~.
plolIna Cupid The gfANp was solh by " haiil ne
snnpuis eHneNinii ~ tiraRf Y Goa ef Sew tnih,
Last spring tho ladies of Lexington, Mr, iiaffs 0a
home purchased tho statue, and u new stands near the
spnt where The Young stone nas0n nist Welded iis
ohsei, The state Legislature had previously passed
the appropriation ior the pnrpose oi bringing tho shss
0f iho dead sculptor t0 their nstiye soil Handsome
monument will no doubt he err cted To his memory,
Mr.. Hart was a poet we'll sculptor, aud ms
writings will probably be put in shape aud printed
within the next two years. fe was genuine child OF
nature and his leading characteristic was an absolute
freedom from mercenary methods or desires and q
chdlike and dOlatrOus love of art tie never made
the slgh ghest effort 10 attract attention to his works or
to get commissions. lie had no wealthy patron to
push him and put his merits before the public. hut
his Woman Triumphant" " will perpt tuae his fame,
and IL itself brilliant memorial.