Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-10


subsequent gathering OF this sort that
was not attended by DR.. Volck.
DIR. Volck Is a native OF Nuremberg.
Germi ny, and received part OF his educa-
ton at the University Of Berlin. While
at this university association brought him
into close relationship with many noted
artists. and the student absorbed much
that proved helpful in later years.
Coming to Baltimore, he gave drawing
lessons. and some of his pupils afterward
became well-known artists.
DIR. volck began metal work In 1880,
and after receiving instructions from
August jacob, a master of the art. he
launched out for himself into artistic
silver compositions. The Siegfried
tankard, which has won the praise OF
art critics in the North and East. was
his most ambitious work. Excepting the
cover, the piece is entirely OF repousse
work. The theme is In illustration Of
the Niebelungenlied. the famous German
NEUROLOGICAL epic. Encircling the
tankard are realistic scenes illustrating
the meeting of Brunhild and Siegfried,
the fight with the dragon, and the death
OF Siegfried. Tor the God of Thunder,
with his hammer. affords striking
effect on the mouth-piece. Wooden, "the
all-father," with his two wolves. make
up the lid. Ornamentatlons Of oak, ivy,
mistletoe, and pine, with ideas from the
mythology OF the tale, are used effec-
lively
Another notable work Is the King
Arthur shield, which is in an unfinished
state. The central figure Is King Arthur
receiving the sword and the remainder
of the composition illustrates his battles
and death This shield Is of large size,
and the theme is now sketched on copper
1t Is planned 10 finish II with gold, silver,
and steel and with such settings the
effect promises TO be a remarkable one.
DR.. Volck has two other shields OF
striking workmanship. One Is the Elaine
shield and the other is the Cortez shield.
The first illustrates Tennyson's poem and
shows Elaine in the tower, the tourna-
ment. the arrival OF Launcelot. and the
floating of the dead Elaine. The "Noche
Triste," or sad night, when Cortez had
his midnight encounter with the Mexi-
cans. is the subject of the other shield.
During the civil war DR.. Volcks
sketches brought upon him the wrath Of
the Federal authorities because OF the
keen satire they contained. His carica-
lures of General Butler became famous
and were copied widely. DR.. Volck con-
of war events as seen from the south
ern side to balance the innumerable
cartoons published by northern papers.
The plates followed the important events
through the war until the murder OF
President Lincoln, when the plates were
shipped to England for safety. Owing
to neglect they were rendered useless,
and the prints have become very rare.
There were fifty-one plates originally,
and twenty Of these were lost in the
shipment. These plates were all drawn
from models in outline. etched on cop
per and printed on India paper. When
1t is considered that DR.. Volck did all
of this work himself at night. while
under suspicion, and attended to the
of the prints, besides look
ing after dental practice which COM
PEELED him to employ three assistants.
an idea of his energetic disposition may
be gained.
The fidelity with which these rare
prints express the convictions and tenn
per of the southern people during the
war is the feature Of this work. 1t is as
well characteristic OF the artist to
embody thought in everything he pro-
1uces. They present in a concentrated
form the fierce anlmosities, bitter re-
sentiments, implacable prejudices and
the ferocity Of the war as IL was and
as it appeared within the lines of the
One Of the most notable
Of this series is the worship of the
North" The central figure is a negro
IN an altar. and around him are bayo-
nets with the John Brown pike most
A white man is offered as
4 sacrifice TO the negro idol, and near
by is Henry Ward Beecher, who has
lust used the sacrificial knife. In the
group is Charles Summer bearing the
orch; Horace Greeley. swinging a CEN
ser which emits snakes, and appear
ng as worshippers are General Butler,
General Scott, General Halleck, General
Hunter, Governor Andrew, Mrs Beecher-
Stowe. and Secretary-of-Wa Stanton.
The story Of Lincolns flight to Wash
ngton, wearing a Scotch cap, was the |
basis of one Of these cartoons The bat |
tie In Baltimore was another, buying a
substitute. and an affecting etching
Prayer in Stonewaii Jacksons Camp |
are others. AS a result OF the publica-
ion of these sketches DIR. Volck was ar
rested by the Federal authorities and |
confined at Fort McHenry.
DIR. Volck was connected with the Con- |
in a confidential way. and was a |
frequent blockade runner. When Jeffer-
son Davis Joined his family in Baltimore |
after the war the first person he called |
lpon was Or. Volck. In running the |
blockade upon one occasion Dr. Vock en-
cred a camp where Stonewall Jackson |
vas. He had his sketch-book with him, |
md, catching the great Confederate leader |
n a characteristic attitude, made sketch |
which is highly priced by Jackson's adj
nirers.