Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-11
VIRGINIA. efNlus RECOGNIZED.
Commission Gisea Biankingship, tho
Sculptor, for Groups for Chicago.


sculptor. for Groups for Chicago.
To ne Editor Of ne Dpspa'oa'
Some OF your readers will remember
about ten or more years ago small model
of negro boy leaning on a hoe, which was
shown in a window on Main street. 1t at
tracted attention because 1t really looked
like carkoy with hoe. IL was made by
Virginia boy named Blankingship, who
was then living in Manchester. Shortly
afterwards another model appeared OF the
figure Of boy pulling thorn out of his
foot, his face screwed M with an expres-
sion OF pain; it was called by lingo"
Still, little later on, there wos a more am
bitious piece OF work showing group
Pocahontas saving the life of Captain John
Smith
One or two gentlemen in Richmond took
enough interest IN the boy 10 advise HIM
20 prosecute his work. This he would
doubtless have done without such en-
coutagement. for 20 had the spirit of an
artist. Tie went 10 New York about ten
years ago and II there has been ANYTHING
about him IN the Richmond papers since
then rs has escaped my NOTICE. / was in
New York week ago and was invited
by the Director of the Institute for Artist
Artisans 10 call around at the institute.
on Twenty-third street. Among other in
ducements he told me that he wished to
introduce me 90 southern sculptor who
had genius and was making q reputation
for himself. / went and was introduced
to Mr.. }. A. Biaukngship, of Virginia, who
holds the responsible and honorable posi-
ton OF professor of sculpture in the insti-
tuition.
his COURSE OF STUDY.
Mr.. Blankiugship has already achieved
an honorable place among artists, and
learned these facts in regard 10 him: On
leaving here he studied inNew York under
Mr.. 81. Gaudeus. then he went to Paris,
whore ho remained three years, studying
under NJ. Chapu: there he assisted him
with hisI colossal statue tor the Paris Ex-
position. At the end Of that time
he returned TO New York, and
shortly was offered the professorship
which no now holds. His work attracted
So much attention that he was gwen by
Mr., Bitter, who had the contract, three
colossal groups for the Administration
building AT the Worlds Fair, in Chicago
" Tradition" Patriotism" and "Theolo-
CIV" These groups have given him great
reputation, being original in conception
and showing great breadth amt strength
in treatment, and he has secured from the
management directly three other figures
for the exposition.
Among them Is u colossal figure for the
Electricity building which is to face on
the Plaza, one of the most important
places in the grounds, end to have secured
which is a great honor. lie received one
of the medals given by the government.
He has exhibited at the National Academy
OF Design and the Society of the American
Artists and is rapidly making his mark as
"a man of unusual gifts.
THE SPIRIT OF THE SOUTH.
saw picture of his group, Patriot
ism" which he has completed for the
Worlds Fair and it ia most striking. 1t
represents q youth hardly moro than q
boy, taking a step forward with q short
sword in bis hand raised ready TO strike,
ms head uplifted. his eve fixed on the DIS
lance, and both form and face full Of pa
triotic FIRE. His mother is seated beside
HIM, her arm around him and her hand
on his shoulder half caressinglv and half
protectingly. The group seems TO me to
be full Of the spirit OF the southern peo-
pie. IL might represent the attitude of
the South during the war. Here IS what
the Chicago IHer0ce1r said a short time
ago q piece Of hs work exhibited at
the Exhibition by the Chicago Society of
Artists:
A POEM IL PLASTER.
AN exquisite little poem in plaster is
entitled A Study and is by Mr.. j. A.
Biankingship, the New York sculptor who
is at work on several World Fair groups.
This little cast is a perfect gem aud might
more truly be termed Twilight or Re
pose, tor 1t Is rich in beauty, boldly
original III motive, and eXquisltely
dainty in conception. lt represents a
mass of evening clouds about TO ca
ress with the guardianship of sleep nude
figure OF rare female beauty. The girl -
about dropping the poppy from her hand,
and the clouds are tenderly winding their
silvery film Of INST about her in the shape
Of angels wings. The idea IS as strong
and the conception as chaste a. the treat
ment is poetic, and the whole Is sufficient
TO make the fame Of Gn artist"
This was the highest praise awarded any
piece of work at the exhibition. Mir.
Blankingship IA TcaDng hOnCrs abroad.
One Of the Washington papers not long
devoted nearly two columns to most
complimentary criticism of his work. Is
Virginia only TO ignore her ohspringl We
ace that ne Is already being classed as a
New York artist" and is 1t not time that
Virginia should advance some claim TO the
genius she has produccd2 Unless | mis-
take the spirit of the South 1t Is in Mr..
Blankingship's work, and he IS gong 70
make his mark. for he has in him the
genius which cannot be suppressed:
THOMAS NELSON PAGE,