Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-09-14
MAGNIFICENT GIFTS.
Tie City Receives from a Citizen Sol
Beautiful Works of Art.


Beautiful Works of Art
The city of Sacramento has received from
one of her citizens magnificent collection
of works of art-a fitting supplement to
the splendid benefaction of Margaret E.
Croker, to whose great-heartedness aad
iberality there stands in this city monu-
ment of the most enduring character.
while in the hearts of our people there is
affectionatelv recorded to her credit that
which time can never obliterate The gen
tleman who was the first to whom Mrs.
Crocker communicated her wishes. in be-
slowing her art gallery upon the people of
Sacramento, and through whom her reso-
luton was conveyed to the Association
selected as custodian of her bounty, and
over which society he then presided, went
to Europe last winter for the benefit of his
then declining health. While in Rome he
resolved to secure for bis home city several
OF the best examples OF sculpture procur-
able there. This he did aud communicated
the fact TO Hon. Newton Booth, then Presj
dent of the California Museum Association
That society, by its directory, acknowledged
the gift of Mr.. David Lubin, and appointed
its Treasurer, James l. Felter to secure
the free entry of the goods under the pro-
vision permitting art works for public
institutions 20 come in duty free. Mr..
Felter has been some time in com
munication with the Federal Off
Gals on the subject, and on Wednesday
the friends of the Association were graft
fed by the delivery at the E. B. Croker
Art Gallery of the five pieces of sen pture.
they have been unpacked and placed and
today the beautiful gifts of Mr.. Lubin
Will be found grazing the vestibule of the
AIT Gallery, giving new character to that
beautiful example of architecture and sup
plying in part great need-that of a COM
piete collection Of fine sculpture for
the art rooms, and which it is to
be hoped the present example will
to supply. These marbles now re-
ceived will serve admirably to supplement
the line collection of casts studied by the
pupils OF the Sacramento School of Design
and OF which, by the way, the donor of
the marbles, in connection with Mr.
Neinstock, was the giver. While these
marbles, by letter of presentation. are
given to the California Museum Associa-
ton, they are practically the property of
the city of whose gallery the association is
life tenant. The pieces are five in number
three mounted upon green marble revolving
pedestals and columns of exquisite fineness
Z
OF Washington and is probably one of the
most finished and artistic copies of the IA
nous Houdan Washington ever pro-
duced. The second is bust of America
In conception, expression and finish il is 9
rarely beautiful marble. The third is
bust of Apollo and the fourth OF Diana, and
they are each of the first order of modern
sculpture. The fifth is copy, pronounced
of the first order, of the " Crouch
ing Venus" of the Vatican. In the
exquisite proportions OF the form,
i'll the chaste expression and the graceful
pose Of the figure, it is enc of the most
beautiful of marbles and excites not alone
the admiration of every person who looks
upon it, but enthusiasm over its artistic
loneliness. The Venus ccouches upon a
slab, upheld by entwined dolphins, whose
heads rest upon a heavily nodded base.
The column thus formed is chiseled from
dark green marble and is in itself work
of high excellence. The Apollo and the
Diana busts are upheld by revolving capt.
tails of white marble on columns of African
marble, with base and podium of Carrara
marble. These two by mistake, have been
supplied with bases too small, but the
error will be speedily rectifed. AS to three
of the busts opinions will divide upon
their rank, but concerning the fourth,
there will be but one verdict, for the
"America" is the happy realization
of the Florentine artists conception.
The head and bust of beautiful female.
typical of the American woman, with
countenance clothed with modesty, but
strong and vigorous. The half cast-off
robe the flowing hair and upward gaze, in
dictate conscious freedom, and speak of
fearlessness. Circlets in the ears and q
feather thrust through the hair are typical
of the aboriginal races of the continent. A
crclet over the brow bearing the eagle and
shield, tell of nationality. a necklace of
medallions with the cameo portraits of
great Americans, and from which depends
that of Washington, while a girdle,
clasped by the shield of the Union COM
pletes the Interpretation of the artists
fancy. All the figures are of purest Carrara
marble. The Diana and Apollo Were
chisled in Rome, the others in Florence.
The two first were cut by Andrioni, and
the Washington and America by Professor
Romanelh. The collection, though of but
five pieces, greatly augments the attractive
ness Of the gallery and will be thor
oughly appreciated by the people of Cali
fornia. The gallery viii be open to-day
from 10 to and tomorrow from to 5,
viii be free to-day The Directors of
the State Agriculture Society were last
evening invited by President Green to
visit the gallery and view the works of art