Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-26

perhaps the most distinguished Nir-
Einian in Italy is the sculptor. Mr Ezc-
KEEL, a native OF Richmond Besides
minor works ne has executed with skill
and talent Judith, but TO my Judgment
his Christ is q chef d'oeuvre. The usual
representations Of Ecce Homo are exag-
CREATIONS in that they represent a SUI
preme struggle of the Son of Man. make
picture of torturing agony the lesson
Of a whole life ON earth. and Of Ills not
less important life Of eNaltati0n and en-
throuoment Mr.. Ezekiel has sought to
give another idea OF Christ as q strong.
beautiful, and pure descendant Of the
House Of David, TO clothe Him in the
WindiuE-Sheet. and 10 put the small gar
mcnt, with the thread OF blue and fringe
of wool from the goat OF eXpiaton around
Ills head. giving the Oriental look. and
by IFS shadow adding To The Quietude and
majesty of the face iu death. upon which
It is finished is expressed. one sees
that the pain and sorrow were there but
they are past. With his Hebrew eluca-
ton the artist with the first and second
fingers of the hands Joined, and divided
from the third and fourth, uses the sign
still used n the giving Of the bent Iiction
To the people on the Day Of Atonement
and expresses the inenable name of Cod
which is never spoken. As Christ stu
died as a. rabbi lie knew well this sign
and He is imagined when His voice was
spent 10 have stretched out His fingers
and thus died with the mystical sacred
sign Of the name Of God upon His body
The head If the Christ was made without
a model. Mr. Ezekiel, as 1 have been in
formed, beginning ore morning about q
o'clock ana working necessarily until
night His purpose was 20 resume the
next morning. but ne found that the head
fully expressed an that be wished. and so
he lcft 10 untouched. For three years be
has wrought upon the figure with no spc-
Cial purpose except for the sake Of art
and 10 erect type for the Christ more in
accord with jhe highest ideas OF the CEN
tury and the time in which we are living.
! wish that this great work Of power and
expression could be secured and placed
IN some public hal in Richmond.
AN English lady was so impressed by
the Christ that she interpreted her
thoughts IN a beautiful poem, which SO
far as / know. has never been published.
The following is the poem referred 10:
Dead or Living.
1 stood and gazei upon the marble
Christ.
The scuiptors thought and skill en-
In p9re resi- marble meath the vaulted roof
OF Diocleuau's Bath. illumined by
The sOftcned Colors of the evening sky.
That sloped in mellow rays. and lighted
The Old rray stones Of wall and arch and
Reambent. strong majestic. and alone.
Sweetness and peace upon the quiet brow,
And 1T is finished on the patient lips.
Close by my side stood one with weep
OF him 7 asked Brother, why weepest
And he made answer sadly. "seest thou
The Christ is dead?" Another in that
Fell Painting. borne away by wondering
Who said "He is so moved because the
Has suffered and is dead" And then
From out the seulptured marble seemed
weep not for me. nor faint. oh. faithless
For j can never die, nor cease to be.
Look now into thy heart and thou shalt
Me. Seek and ye shall hnd-thls is the
quest ~
And having found Me thou shalt know,
None other am than thine own self.
The Higher self. the ever pure. the ONE.
This Is the ancient truth which thou
must know.
This is the pearl Of price which thou
must seek.
Weep FOR myself, for till thou fndest Me
Within thyself. thou art as cold and
stark
As was this stone before the sculptor's
hand
Had fashioned It'll am the way-the
Door.
BY Me-thy Higher self-thou shalt go
In.
And thou shalt make the temple Of thy
heart,
spotless fame. where I alone shall dwell.
And then shalt guard its portals, so that
none
Shall enter 20 disturb my holy place.
Where Joy shall be, instead OF signs and
Wne.