Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-07-20

! he has ever since resided. Inc hefious
work Of his life now began. and must
be conceded that the outlook Was lar
| from promising. The sculptor, not yet
thirty years Of age, had already won
something Of reputation abroad. ne
brought home q ststuette Of General
Robert Il. Lee, which had been much
admired In London.
In the absence Of commissions ne
made many ideal heads, among them
"The Samaritan Woman" and "The
Penitent Thief" two works OF remark
able facial expression. Several portrait
busts of noted southern leaders belong
TO this period, among them being
those of Lee, Commodore Maury, Gene
| rails Stuart, Albert Sidney Johnston,
Joseph +. Johnston, and Pickett. A
colossal head Of Humboldt, made Tor
the Humboldt festival in Richmond; .
head of Beethoven, q portrait bust
of Edwin Booth, and "Grief," mar
BILE female figure in Hollywood ceme'
terry, are other achievements OF his
thisel.
Less ambitious than these are several
unique ideal works in clay" The Ns-
TONS Ward" head Of saucy, grin
ming negro boy, with a soldiers cap
cooked on one side; knowledge Is
Power" a ragged negro boy sitting in
a chair, sound asleep over his spelling
book 4" Uncle Henry" the head of
erizzled old negro Of the aneien regime.
Thus far Valentines title to fame
rests principally on two works-thc re-
cumbent statue Of Lee, in the memorial
chapel Of Washington and Lee Univer-
sity at Lexington, Va. and the noble
Homeric group representing Andro-
mache and Astyanax, just completed
in the clay. The Lee statue is well
known ia the South at least, and by it
sbe name Of the sculptor is indissolobly
associated with that Of the great south
ern leader.
The figure, more than life size and
clad in generals uniform, is extended
ON q narrow couch, the head being
slightly elevated, with the face turned
to the right. The couch Is heavily
drsped, ard robe covers the lover
part Of the body, One hand rests upon
the bosom ard the other touches the
sword b. the warriors side. The air
Of the aSsu,e is that OF tranquil repose,
and it is possessed Of grace aud quiet
dignity that is very impressive. The
work was q commission from the trus-
tees Of the University who gave the
sculptor full license as to the details Of
execution, and the statue was Gu. from
one block Of marble,
TIE Eomeric group, which the scnlp-
tor has Just completed, has engaged his
attention for several years. 1t repre-
sents Andromache, the wife Of Hector,
with their boy Astyanax just after
Hector has hidden them farewell and
gore to meet his death.
The prime interest in the work natu-
rally centres in the face and figure of
Andromache. The relaxation of pose,
the dropping head, the limp arm, the
expression Of apprehension and grief,
combine to mark this as very distinct
triumph OF plastic art. They tell the
story completely, and then it is seen
that the accessories emily serve to in-
dividualize the sentiment which is SO
fully expressed in the face and pose of
the principal figure of the group.
Altogether this work deserves to
rank among the notable achievements
in sculpture in this country. 1t may
be exhibited in New York after time.
There is some prospect Of its being cut
in marble fer private gallery in Eng
land.
Another work upon which Mr.. Valen-
tine is now engaged IS heroic bronze
figure of General Breckenridge, to be
erected in Louisville, Ky. The soldier
is represented in the act OF speaking
and is in civilians dress, with unbut-
toned fr0ck coat, and stands with mis-
left foot slightly in advance. His left
hand rests upon pedestal, and his
right is outstretched in gesture. The
attitude of the figure is easy, there is a
great deal Of life in the carriage Of the
body, and the face wears an agreeable,
calm, and Thoughtful expression.