Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-10-14
AIT MATTERS
A VISIT 60 vssentine's Exhfbfnon
GafIevy-Smpressie

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The catalogue as published OF valen'
tines exhibition gallery fails to convey
anything like an adequate idea OF the
wealth of the exhibit, the value OF the
collection az a medium OF stimulating
art perception, or the transformation to
which by the employment Of drapery
and other accessories the psr.or door oil
the old mansion Eighth and Leigh streets
has been subjected. The gallery is a reve-
lation, illustrating. aud bringing one lace
TO face with, the classical in antique and
modern art and enhancing appreciation
OF sculpture, especially, at every turn.
The first object that met the eye OF the
writer upon entering tho building was
Valentines masterpiece in the field OF
ideal sculpture-his Bomeric group,
"Andrsrnache and Astyanax when
occupies the spacious hall just beyond
the arch. However much one may have
been impressed previously by this group,
he is now almost startled by its life-like
appearance. He no longer thinks Of the
D astic art as "cold art, and is tempt
ed TO exclaim as did Donatello when he
put the finishing touches upon lis Ju-
dith "Speak now i am sure goa can.
The maroon drapery and the soft lights
so essential to the full development OF
the sculptors conception in a creation OF
this sort have the effect of warming up
the figures, and it seems that andre
mache must tell her woes.
Passing through the first door on the
left the visitor enters the bronze room,
where he finds some OF the best OF the
sculptor examples in bust-portraiture-
busts OF Confederate heroes, civilians,
and others also, p small model OF his
colossal bronze Breckenridge and his
Judas. The lsst-named is a sketch in
stinct with action, and a most striking
study. The predominating colors OF the
drapery in the bronze room are blue and
fawn.
To the rear al the bronze room and in
marked contrast with it is the Lee room.
The drapery is maroon and ali the work
is in white. In the centre of the room,
in all its noble and grand simplicity,
is the original of Valentines marble
recumbeut figure Of Lee, now in
the mausoeum at Lexington. Some
one has said, Nothing Is more simple
than greatness; indeed. to be simple IS
10 be great" The more one studies the
Lee figure the more he is satisfied OF the
sculptU's comprehension of the fact that
Lees life was the highest exemptfcation
OF the truism quoted The two large
mirrors in the room aid effectively In
getting good views not only Of the cen
trail piece, but Of the various busts
grouped about the walls. The " Woman
Of Samaria has place in the Lee room
as he's also the "Study of a Blind Girl, -
a sweet and most pathetic conception
which it is 10 be earnestly hoped Mr..
Valentine will work out in life SIZE.
Next the visitor enters what may be
termed the general collection room.
Here, in addition TO examples OF art,
such as the Penltent Thief and buSts
of females, is found nearly all tho para
phernalia of studio. The room is
artistically draped with tapestry and
other fabrics, and affords most interest
ing insight into the working life OF q
sculptor. One portion OF this room Is
dedicated to Mss, Mr.. Valentines mas
ter, and the objects in the niche include
among other things a statnette OF the
great German. On every side there IS
something to crafty the taste or excite
the curiosity, thus making tho room
unique feature of the exhibition. Pass
ing out of the building tho writer took
another look at AndrOmsche. OF this
one carries with him an Impression that
il almost sure to impel q second If not a
third visit to the gallery. AS a whole
the exhibition, which Is free, Is a credit
to the city and contributes largely to
the attractiveness OF the Exposition
season. II Is a memorabilia, temple
of classic art, and school ofmsthetielsm
all in one, where all classes viii find
something 10 delight and instruct them.
1t ia q place in which none can spend an
hour without grasping the fact that art
has refining and elevating mission a
place that inspires hope that Richmond
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