Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-10-01
A MASTERPIECE OF ART.
Valentines "Andromache I'm the DIT.
Vernon BuIIdiug nj Chicago.

Vernon Building at Chicago.
The following article. translated for the
DISPATCH, Is from Der Weston, a leading
German paper Of Chicago:
ANY one visiting the Virginia building at
the great Worlds Fair will be amply re-
paid by glimpse of the numerous Wash
ington relics contained in this building,
which il historically faithful reproduce
ton OK the home Of the Father of His
Country" Not the patriot alone. but the
lover Of art az well, Is rewarded there tor
his trouble.
The house. built in colonial style. whose
modest front Is scarcely perceived amid
the glittering magnlticence of the other
buildings, cOntainsa treasury of art whose
classic beauty finds no equal IN the whole
immensely OF the great art palace OF the
Worlds Fair.
In the so.called " banquet hall" a room
whose modest dimensions do not justify
its name. Is placed this wonderful work OF
the master, Edward V. Valentine, OF Rich
mOnd. Va. who through this and other
works Of art has earned a claim TO Immor-
taltv.
He who has revelled in Homers never
DYING Had, who mas read Schlllers Hec-
tors Farewell" with "a great enthusiasm
for the poem as for the poet. TO whom.
therefore, the figures of Andromache and
her son Astyanax have become known aud
we'll beloved. will experience al emotion
OF deep solemnity while dwelling upon
this masterpiece.
~ MAGIC CHARM.
Just as the artist has brought her forth
from the marble by his magic charm, even
so has this noblest woman OF Homeric
poesy fingered in our memories with be-
wtching beauty, and yet so earnest, so
anxious with regard 70 the fate OF her hus-
band. the hero of Troy, and so fearful OF
its fall.
The master has immortallzed her. now "a
the heart broken widow; as the slave OF
Pvrrhus son OF Achilles. who IN her prime
slew her husband before Troy, and IN her
childhood's DAYS IN her Iheban home slew
father and brothers, and was also accessO-
r. to the fatal tall Of her son and Hector
from the walls of Troy now a. the wife
sorroving over the fate of her consort:
IL is this last representation which
stends before US in the little hall. and
which now engages our attention.
My beloved one, cease your tears" "
said Hector tPriam's SOM to her, most
tender!y. when full of ardor TO save his
citv he bravely rushed forth TO the battle,
latter which his heart ardently yearned."
She has returned TO her dwelling-place
she has chosen there her favorlte spot,
where she sits in sadness. her noble head
bowed: upon her lap rests the spindle of
thread. the symbol OF womanly industry.
Her mind Is not upon her work. bit Is
filled with direful fOrebodlngs. A. the
savior OF his country Hector must 90 down
beneath the StyCian food, and what Will
then be her fate? Plunged in gloomy,
heart-rending reveries she sits gazing into
space, taking no part in anything around
her.
AN INNOCENT BOY.
The young Astyanax. her son and Hec.
tors, she has lust pressed hercely TO her
throbbing breast, then let him glide down
upon a seat covered with a lions skin,
though her left arm still holds him IN q
light embrace. Thoughtlessly climbs the
innocent, Joyous boy 10 his mothers side,
HIS outstretched foot resting upon the
lions head. He smiles up at his mother
wishing as ia his wont to frOllc with her
but she sees not his childish overtures. 80
deeply is she absorbed in her bitter sorrow.
So stands the more than lite-slze work OF
the master, which IS distinguished above
thousands OF ITS kind by the noble Inca.
ments, bv the simplicity OF ITS forms. aud
by its classic beauty, which yivlily recalls
to Us the most magnificent works OF all
tiquItv-yea, it far eXcels them IN Its
effects upon the mind and heart OF the
behoider.
THIS group of mother and child has been
created from the depth OF the masters
soul "Lart pour Part" French saying,
according to which art ~ only practlceu
for very arts sake, has seldom been so
warmly seized upon by an artist as this
one has been.
Mr.. Valentine is an ideal artist, type
so rare in this country. IL IS incompre-
hensible why such splendid work OF ART
has not already been placed IN museum
and has not become known inthe most re-
mote circles of at connolsseurs. us crea-
tor deserves all praise at nome and afar.
Edward Virginius Valentine appears 70
be one of the rare art enthusiasts VINO DC
not work for the recognition OF the masses
but deserve IL IN the highest degree.
TIE BLIND GIRL.
Among the other important works col
Valentine) mentioned IN Appleton Ency-
clopedIa are Grief" female figure IN
marble: q colossal head of Humboldt,
q head Of Beethoven. the bust OF Edwin
Booth. the Woman of Samaria," the
Penitent," and the Blind Girl"
The last-named figure is found also IN
the banquet hall OF the Mt. Vernon
building at the Columbian Exposition. A
poor young girl, from the people, totally
blind. with lovely features. but q tender
delicate form, almost hidden by Iona
white drapery, repeats her evening prayer
"For thee. my God. the Living God,
Ny thirty soul doth pine;
Oh, when shah behold thy face,
thou Majesty divIns?'
--i2d Psalm.
These are the words which the artist
ones heard from the lips of poor youne
American girl in the Asylum for the BIND
ut Stanton. Va Her words and the ap.
pearaace OF the unfortunate speaker ief'
such deep impression upon the heart OF
the master that by his roy al art he seized
aud perpetuated it for all time IN plastic
form