The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-03
An American Artist in Rome.

In the New York Critic Margaret j. Preston
has the following notice of the work of an
American sculptor at Rome who has relatives
and many friends at indianapolis:
For the last twelve years or 30 there has been
residing at Rome a young American sculptor,
who has been doing such good original and eff
Gent work, that it has come to be a matter of
surprise why he is not better known in his own
country. All Americans who go to Rome, with
any love OF, or taste for art, are sure to visit
the quito princely studio of Ezekiel near
the Piazzi di Termini. 1t is q lofty apartment,
redeemed from some Of the old Roman ruins.
and fitted up in style that makes it look like
salon Of the middle ages-torsos of Greek and
Roman workmanship antique bits of Statuary.
ancient carved furniture, okestained paint
ings. bits Of antique tapestry. old bronzes aud
brasses, and a thousand other things that would
make the heart of antiquarian leap with joy.
In this quaint atelier Ezekiel has been work
ing these dozen years, and has produced some of
the finest things that have come from an ApGri
can chisel. His first quality is that of original
ity, surely one of the finest that an artist can
possess. Among his confreres he is sometimes
thought to be bold innovator; but have heard
him state at length, in his own impassioned
and eloquent way, his ideas OF art; and
strongly with his supreme American good sense
He is disposed to break through the mere tradi-
tions and conventionalities of art and this some
times causes him to be criticised in certain
a
has accomplished great deal of work, but
scarcely any of it has come to his own country.
There is basso-relievo of his in a villa near
Berlin, which is most exquisite in
conception and execution. 1t is called "Consola-
tion,n and represents Venus soothing Cupid for
the mishap of his broken bow. Nothing can be
more deiciously wrought than the Venus; and
verify believe that nothing in the way Of child
statuary has been conceived in modern time
more beautiful than the little sobbing Cupid.
= r.
and the Amorette." l wish / had space to
describe it; it iS so altogether captivating.
One of Ezekiels most ambitious efforts is his
Eve Hearing the Voice. splendid nude figure,
wholly different from any Eve Of sculpture or
painting which I have ever seen. l believe it
has not been put into marble, but is awaiting the
commission of some Vanderbilt or Gould,
whose galleries it ought to adorn. His statues
of Michael Angelo, Raphael, and Albrecht Durer,
are bold and effective. / have before me
One Of them is sitting figure of Prince
Bismarck, in which every line, from the
shut fist to the frmly-crossed legs, is instinct
with the resolution of the man. Another is a
study of Spinoza, in which you have all the
dreamy intensity of the author of the Ethics. I"
Ezekiel is remarkable for the perfection of his
portrait busts. He made one OF Liszt three or
four years ago. which won from a Roman
cardinal lsaid to be the best judge of art in the
Holy City, most unqualified praise; and some Of
Salon. 1t has been q matter of grave surprise
that when the commission for the statue Of John
G. Calhoun was given. it should have been
awarded to a little known artist, who had no
interest IN the Southern statesman. We doubt
if the South has ever given commission to this
son Of hers; for although Ezekiel has long been
a cosmopolitan, he was born and educated in
Virginia. True it is that the South
has but little money to expend on art; but this
son would not be offended if. when he asked
bread of her, she should offer him stone on
which to carve. At present, Ezikiel has some
very ambitious models in his studio. An Ameri
can tourist, who has lately been in Rome, de-
scribes, in one of widely circulated jour
nails, his statue Of David, just complete, 1.-THE
youth is shown stepping. forward, and
bearing with his left hand the head of the giant
and other trophies of his PROSTATE foe. The
face looks heavenward, in the act of sending up
thanks to the overriding Power which furnishes
him skill and strength to obtain the victory and
is in agreeable contrast to the triumphant
expression originally given to this character
The work is vigorous zone, original
in it's conception and treatment, and worthy of
the high position already attained by the sculp-
tor Another is Judith, showing head of a
rare tpye of female loneliness Ezekiel himself
is man of uncommon personal attractions; his
own head might serve as model for an Adonis.
He is about thirty-eigLt years old, and in the
havdav nj his