Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-02-27

Sir Frederick Leighton, the famous
English artist and President OF the
Royal Academy, who died the other
day had one distinguishing quality.
1t was the classical purity with which
he represented the human figure.
1t is certain that he owed much of
his inspiration to Dorothy Dene,
youthful English actress of remark
able beauty OF face and figure, who
long acted as his model. III her he
found the best living example OF the
ideal which he had formed from long
study OF the antique,
A story was current in London that
Leighton loved his model and would
have married her but for some obstacle
which was not made public. There
was apparently some mystery about
/ Leighton's life. He had an immense
number of acquaintance, and was
very popular with them, but no init
mate friends. lie had no male rela-
tiyes. Although always in society and
always making himself very agreeable,
he was clearly neither happy nor cneer-
ful. He was s.rikinly handsome
man.
The association of a handsome, dis
tinguished, and slightly melancholy
man with d model of extraordinary
beauty is a tempting foundation on
which to build a romance. 1t is very
slight however.
Miss Dene was in this country in
1893 and. speaking of the artist in
an interview, said: Although Sir Fred
eric is over sixty years, he is the
youngest man l know, and, | might
add the kindest and most generous"
She expressed the general opinion
of society, of artists and all who came
in contact with Leighton. His myster-
/ iOus sorrow did not prevent hinsIrom
| being the kindest and most hosFyGble
{ OF men. He was always giving money
and help and took infinite trouble with
young artists His funeral was very
/ impressive public demonstration of
/ sorrow.
Dorothy Dene is as perfect a type of
: Greek beauty as could be found to-day.
/ Her form and features would not be out
Of place In a gallery of antique sculp-
tUre She is tall with long, 1.-the
| limbs. and an exquisitely moulded
bust. Her hair is abundant and gold
en-. and her eyes deep violet. Her
/ complexion is of an exquisite smooth
ness and transparent Wilderness.
Her head. set on a long. but strongly
| made neck, is almost like that Of
| handsome youth But this impression
is removed when YOU look into the
| large and tender eyes.
The descriq ubu of Hyp2tia in Kings
lcy's novel applies with considerable
clo.enCss 70 Dorothy nene.
Her beauty is as perfect In its way
as LeightOn's technique 1t was UNI
dOubtedly of the greatest value in as
sistiue him 10 perfect The latter.
i'm several Of the artists most famous
pictures. the features ana form Of Dor
othy Dene are distinctly TO be seen.
Dorothy Dene is reported by all who
have seen her 10 be a very amtable and
modest young woman. Her theatrical
venture in This country was not great
success, owing, probably, TO the char
az er of the productions, but il sutficed
10 satisfy those who saw her Of the pre-
eminence of her beauty PrOb2ly the
stage has not seen. during this gener-
alton. a woman so regularly and elias
slcally beautiful, although that fact
would not Of itself assure her fame.
Even in London, where she is appre-
ciated to a considerable extent, she
has not The popularity of more irres-
ular. bur more vivacious beauties.
She is one of five sisters, all the
others being decidedly good looking
They live together in q pretty litCe
apartment in South Kersington, in
London. in the centre of q colony of
artists and actors.
They used to hold Sundays at home
twice month, and those were very
popular occasions with artists, actors.
musicians and men OF letters. Sir
Frederic Leighton was oaten an honor
ed visitor. and many a young man Uith
| talent or without 1t owes help or en-
coura cement to his meeting with the
President of the Royal Academy at the
! home of the charming Dene sisters.