Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-28
scuIpture in one south.
From the AHG0tS ,Ga.l Journal.

-A+eNesS-
Sculpture is a new thing in the South,
and has not attracted that attention at
our hands that its Importance demands.
When a statue Of a Hill or Wadley is
needed. we are forced to send to the East
for them. 1t is not likely that the de-
mand tor statuary OF this kind will be
lessened, but rather increased, with the
lapse of years. Knowing that an eminent
artist in this line had located in our
midst, a representative of the Journal
called upon that gentleman, Mr.. Orion
Frazee. Mr.. Frazee Is a gentleman OF
pleasing manners and OF cultivated taste.
The conversation began at once on the
subject OF sculpture, and Mr.. Frazee
pointed with the pride Of an artist to sew
eral specimens Of mis- skill. Hanging on
the wall was the face of a distinguished
Georgian but recently buried.
''Yes," replied the artist, shat is a
mask of Gen. Robert Toombs. See how
that massive head is so well outlined in
plaster. Ii is the only form of Toombs
above the ground. He had a wonderful
head of hair. The mask does not show
his kngly independence, indicative of his
remarkable vitality. The hair was IRON
gray. not white. 1t gave to him regal
grandeur. In order to show the hair as
ne wore IL, the sculptor must refer to pOr-
traits which show it in all its splendid
beauty"
The journal man asked: 'You have
taken a mask Of his face, thenp
YES" said Mr.. Frazee, IL found no
difficulty. The mask is perfect and In
valuable"
"How did Gen. Toombs lookT' was
asked.
81 can best answer in the language of
DIR. n. H. Steiner, Of Augusta, VINO OBJ
served: III looks more like the man OF ten
years ago than OF Yesterday"
To the question II the mask was all that
was necessary 10 enable the sculptor TO
make a perfect bust OF the dead Georgian,
Mr.. Frazee replied that it would be neces-
sary 10 consult the best portraits that
could be found Of him. Healy, prOmi-
nent artist, painted two OF him. The first
not giving satisfaction. he painted another
in 1854 that is truly grand. lt portrays
Gen. TOombs with his strong face, the fire
beaming out OF his wondrous eyes, and
head indicative Of strong Will power.
'Was there anything more than ordi-
nary about this funeral that attracted
your attentionY
'sY es, the song q know that my Redeemer
liveth," brought to my mind that Miss
Clara Louise Kellogg sang the same song
at Horace Greeley's funeral. In some
respects there was a similarity in the
character OF these two great men,"
"Will there be a statue made OF Gen.
ToombsY
~ don't know, but the State ought TO
have one made, and place IL 10 the new
Capitol square. The Ben Hill statue
see is 10 be placed temporarily in Grant
park and subsequently, in Capitol square.
What you want In location OF statues is
10 make them easy Of access, and where
they can be seen without trouble. Visit
ors 10 the city Will naturally desire 10 see
your magnificent new capitol. With but
brief time TO view the scenes Of the
city. they would hardly go any great
distance 70 see these statues. Located
near the capitol they would. A capital
place for a ststue Is In front OF Mayor
hiilyer's residence. II the matter OF the
location was lett % the artists in the city
IL would be speedily settled.D
Mr. Frazee exhibited beautiful IDEAL
istic medallion Of "Dixie," the new South,
tipihed in the rosebud. the magnolia and
a handsome female just budding Into wO-
manhood.
Cannot our Southern youth turn their
attention 70 this field Of artf There are
great possibilities in Il for them.