Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-03-10
cREAT woRk or ScuLPTrRE.
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There is now under the hand Of the
distinguished sculptor, Mr.. Edward V.
Valentine. Of Richmond, Va, work
which VIC believe IS destined TO take
rank among the best accomplishments
IN plastic art that this country has yet
seen. Mr.. Valentine, il will be rcmem-
heyed by most readers, is the sculp-
tor who made the famous re-
sumbcnt statue Of General Robert
K. Lee. which is now in the
chapel of Washington and Lee Uni
vctsity at Lexington, Va, and which
vas described in these columns on the
occasion of It's dedication nearly two
wears ago. The work which Mr.. VAL
entine has now practically completed IN
the clay is a group--heroic size--rep-
sesenting Andromache and Astyanax,
the wife and infant son Of Hector, just
sfier that warrior has left them, as
Homer tells IL, TO hasten TO the
battlefield. whore he was killed by
Achilles. Andromache is seated IN
a chair with head slightly bowed
and eyes cast down. One hand falls
Gstiessly by her side, and the distaff
which she has dropped lies at her feet.
The boy Astyanax is climbing up into
tho lap Of Andromache, whose right
arm is half uncopsciously clasping his
chubby form. The group is beautifully
somposed- simple without any mere
tricious straining after effect. dignifed,
serious. and affecting. IL tells its story
in the most impressive manner and yet
possesses nothing Of the ordinary pic
torial character. The pose of the
figures, the sadly pensive expression in
the countenancc Of Andromache, the
Laughing face Of the boy, the character
which is everywhere present in
the group. combine to present as clear
cut an Interpretation of HOmer's de-
.cription as though written in words.
There is Greek simplicity and dignity
about the work that eminently BELTS
the subject. Mr.. Valentine is more
purely Greek in his art feeling than any
ether sculptor whom We know, and tins
prediction found full opportunity for
display in the work under conSidera-
ton. The result is a production that's
harmonious and consistent IN the adap-
tation Of method to subject, and
that. more than this, is instinct
with feeling and sentiment which,
while it is purely Greek, is none
the less broadly and truly expressive
and touching as life andhumanity itself.
There are minor points Of excellence in
the work that are interesting to study,
but all these are subordinated, as they
should be. TO the general character of
the whole. But there is that in the ex-
preston of the face of Andrdmache
which. while it dcfieS analysis, claims
and holds the attention at once, and
really fixes the character of the entire
work. There is a pensive. iar-away
look in the eyes indicative OF the love
of AndrOmache for her husband and of
the anxiety and sorrow which prophet
cally is already overshadowing her
soul. The feeling thus expressed is be-
yond any mere technical excellence. Ii
is soul and heart that speaks through
these ewes and in this face. One is not.
surprised to learn that the sculptor
did this part of his work while al
most daily watching the gentle fading
away from life of dearly-be-
loved wife. who was his inspiration
in this as in other work. Something Of
his own sorrow and resignation, some
thing of the graceful womanly. aiiec-
tionate character of the departed one
has gone into this face and figure. The
work thus becomes more than mere
artistic production, however excellent
il may even be in this respect. and thus
we believe it will appeal to the world
when some day the world may see it.