Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-07-02
A SCULPTOR'S DEATH
ma. BLANKlNosHIp, THE VIRGINIA
AarlsT, DIES IN NEW YORK CITY
He Possessed Decided Talent ana Haa
Won Considerable Fsms-some OF
His Works--Duriai Here.

", James Alexander Blsnkingship. the
talented young Virginia sculptor, died
Yesterday morning in New York inns
announcement will cause great sorrow in
Richmond and Manchester. whore the de-
ceased was well known, both because OF us
former. residence IN tho latter city and by
his reuutation as an artist. The immediate
cause Of death was an operation just per-
formed upon the deceased at the Hospital
for Crlpples. His disease was az ailiiction
OF the bowels brought on by Indigestion.
During the past spring Mr.. Blsnkingshlp
and his accomplished wife spent some
weeks visiting relatives and friends In ms
city, Manchester. and Petersbnrg' ana AZ
thai time he was apparently III perfect
be',I,b He was taken sick shortly after
his return 10 New YORK anu never IT,
covered. ~.
Mir. Blankinrshlp was born in Prince
George county ID 1882 and was therefore
% years old. Ills boyhood days were
snent IN his native county and IN Peters,
burg. where he received common-schooi
education. At the age OF IA years ne
moved to Manchester to 1--we ana Weh U. y 70
work in the iron-fOundry OF watt Cai,
Of Richmond, where ne serVed an "pPieH-
ticeship as a mOulder.
MS MAIDEN EFFORT.
Under these circumstances and at this
early age young Blankingshlp hfst
manifested bls artistic talent. Out OF
niece of clay the apprentice, with a PEN
tn,fe carved a bust of the late George
Watt his employer and uncle. The Ike
ness was such striking one that many
kind and complimentary remarks were
made about 1t. and the youth thus en- ~.
couraccd followed up his maiden emory
with busts Of the late Thomas Branch ana
others. " ~,
Bv this time il was apparent that Mr.
Blaukiugship had talents OF no ordinary
character and a room IN an old Clubhouse
on the premises of Mr.. Clark, at the cor
ner of Eleventh and cambridge streets
Manchester. was loaned MIN In whlch 10
work and study. He continued, however,
for some time TO follow his trade In the
foundry and pursuing his art studies at
night
Els SOUTHERN SLAVE.
The first piece Of his plastic work which
gained him reputation was astatuette called
a Southern Slave" 10 represented q
typical southern darky leaning upon q
hoe. and the expression Of the face ana
tho drapery were 50 natural that tho WORK
ELECTED much well-deseTved praise.
This creation was followed by his Rescue
of Captain Smith" showing figures OF
Pocahontas. Powhatan. and Captain John
Smith. The group gave him wide
suroad reputation, and upon the advice
of friends he left Manchester for New
York 10 pursue MS art studies.
Arriving in New York with scarcely any
thing except his talent be secured posi-
ton IN AndeTson's photoRraph-galery
where no worked as r0toucber OF pictures.
At night be would devote himself 20
modelling and drawing, aud by hard work
he finally accumulated money suficlent 70
take him TO Europe. Here for two years
he pursued his studies. beng part OF 20
time IN the studio of Merole. the sculptor
OF the Lee equestrian statue here.
HIS WORK AT CHICAGO.
On his return 10 New York Mr.. Blank
ineshlp was elected an Instructor IN one
of the art schools Of that city, and soon
took an cnviabe rank among the scuiptorS
Of tho metropolis. IL was not long before
his genius was recognized by bis being
commissioned to execute several Of the
decorative figures for buildings at the Co.
lumbar Exposition at Chicago, and the
success he achieved in these made his
nhme known in artistic circles throughout
the country. Among has examples at ON;
caco are Tradition" Patriotism"
theology" and a group on the electric
building. lie was awarded a medal for his
design for the Worlds Fair OF the landing
of Columbus.
FAMILY CONNECTIONS.
Mr. Blankingship was a son of the late
Il. q. Elankingship. aId leaves several
brothers, among them Dr. Ollie and Dir.
William Blankugship, OF this CITY.
Several years ago he MARI aA Miss Sallie
Harris, Of New Ork. who .- . 90 an artist
OF considerable merit, Mr.. Biankingship
having met her in ABders 0ns art gallery,
where che was engaged retouching photo
Graphs lbs wife, but no children, survive
HIM.
During bis recent visit TO this city he
delivered at tho Young Mems Christian
Association Hall lecture on Art at the
Worlds Fair" which was greatly enjoyed
by Il fashionable and critical audience. He
also lectuTed in Manchester and Peters
burg.
A PROMISING CAREER.
Mr.. Blankingshlp had before him most
promising future, and what he had
achieved was only on earnest OF his posi-
bic career. H0 was true artist. an en-
thusiast i'll his profession, and imbued
with the keenest sense OF the aesthetic.
Hs modelling was bold, free. and conf
dent and evidenced a remarkable breadth
of conception. but withal his technique was
ohaste and delicate. From his earliest to
his latest work there was constant pro-
gression. During his last visit here no
made many warm friends He was warm
hearted and generous and had that high
appreciation of the ethics OF his profession
which is inseparably associated with the
genuine art spirit
The remains will arrive here this morn
ing, and the funeral will take place from
the Byrd-Street station, and the interment
will DO made in lakewood.