The morning call., 1893-09-24

rivals in the branch of art to which am
devoted and are aimed 10 hurt my reputa-
tion as a sculptor.
''Iu regard to my connection with Mr..
HaDpeTSbeTgeT | want to state that at no
time. either in Europe or in the United
states. have done any sculptura work
Tor him as his employe. nor could [ have
been induced by him or any ybody else to
come over here under q contract.
My Intention TO settle down in the
United States is of older date than the
Invitation of Mr.. Happers berger to Join
him here IN San tT. nciscO a a partner.
The negotiations in regard to this offer
are still pending The compensation /
receive for my assisting Mr.. Happers-
berger in the modelling of the Lick monu-
ment is neither fixed 10y contract nor by
the time takenup in the work
the several wOuld-be sculptorS men
toned in the article as the complaining
parties are either no sculptOrs at all or
with one exception are of a very pitiable
reputation in their profession"
Said a well-known artist in a line which
does not come into competition with Gu
lielm0's:
The idea of Victor Gulielmo being a
violalOr of the contract labor Ia W is simply
prepOsterons a better sculptor for highly
finished artwork never came to this coast
before.
in years gone by the sculptor who Sc
cured an order for elaborate monumental
work went abroad and had modelling, cast
ing and bronze or marble cutting done In
Italy OF Germany.
NEARLY all the money for executing
such work was spent abroad. Sculpture
had only a small field out here. Hardly
anything was in demand except monu-
ments for graves, busts and medallions,
and on rare occasions portraits. Several
stouecutters attempted 10 adapt themselves
for the execution Of sculptural work,
which demands the talents and studies of
real artists.
During this period San Francisco was
occasionally treated 20 the sight of freaks
of nature cut in marble pretentiOusly ex-
hibited as works of art.
THE i'm proYement in style of architec-
ture brought forward a stronger desire for
sculptural decoration. Elaborate orna-
lnentS. hgGres, groups were cut in stone TO
help the architecture artistically. San
Francisco began to appreciate the value of
monuments for the attractiveness Of this
beautiful city, OF monuments composed in
better taste than the Cogswell fUun tains.
The Garfield Monument WAS built; the
Lick Monument has been ordered; several
other pieces of s'atuary made their appear
ance at the park; DequeSt was made of
$4,000 for the erection Of q fountain for
the city. These are among recent addi-
tons to the rising condition of local art.
Local talent WAS encouraged. Artistic
ability frum abroad was also recognized.
The endeavor to induce artists of un-
= questioned talent and education to make
San Francisco their home deserved appre-
citation.
"Victor Gulielmo, who carried the prize
.of Rome Ia stipend awarded to he best
student only, as student of the Academy
of Munich, surely never dreamt of the
treatment he has received at the hands of
his rivals, who fear his competition in the
quality of his art work.
'.The figure of Corbett, which Guliemo
n odeled and cast here some months ago,
is beyond doubt the best execHted piece of
artwnrk ever done by a sculptor in Cali
fcrn1a."
Another artist said to a CALL reporter:
'iIt IS hardly possible that the Government
officials will take cognZance of this charge
If they should be induced by misrepre-
SentatiOns to take it up it must surely fall
. 10 he ground.
The motive for embarrassing Mr..
GhlJelmo at this time is that the Mdwin-
ter Fair commissioners W Il soon decide on
AN artist for interior decorations OF the
buildings, and with Guielmo out of the
way some inferior artist would stand
better chance of doing the work.
.. You may say with entire truth that
there is no one outside OF coterie of
cheap, pretended artists or men green
with Jealousy but considers this attempt
, an outrage, not only OD a thorough artist
and high-minded man, but upon art Itself.
HIS small enemies ought 10 hang their
n Oh