New-York tribune., 1902-01-14
Ma ACHONNLES TO WORK HERE
HE INTENDS TO SPEND THE REST OF
HIS LIFE AT HOME - WILL
PAINT PORTRAITS

Frederick MacMonnies. the American sculptor
who for seventeen years has been working in
France. arrived here on the steamer Auguste Vic
toria yesterday with the intention OF making this
city field OF his endeavors FOR the remainder OF
his lie.
Il got tired Of living abroad he said L a Trib-
une reporter at the home of his mother. No. III
Van Buren-st Brooklyn last night 7 home
sick. and I decided back. I am glad 10
get here and expect remain here permanently.
When I first abroad I used to come home
every year, but it is seven years since l here
last"
is that you intend devote yourself n
tirey painting he asked
mo; I am going To take for a year
think il is a good thing for who has been
working thing steadily for long time to
stop and get a point of view. 1t gives
opportunity look the OF others and his
work from the outside OF course I shall not
stop working. can't stop that way. A few
OF my friends have asked paint portraits for
them. and l shall do them"
rs your rest made necessary because OF your
health"
Not at all I never felt better than I do now
and E~atting back home makes me feel like a boy
again"
The idea Of getting home seemed to be uppermost
in his mind he talked
Il Ill two years ago." he continued. Il had
thought Of nothing but sculpture for years. 1t
had fascinated I had attack of neuras-
thenia. Then l had to stop. shall never wait
for such warning again"
What did you do then?'
Il had been indoors too much, and 1 got outdoors
and painted one summer spent at a little
town in Normandy--Bois-Jerome That summer I
painted portraits OF Able Toussaint, the little
cathedral at Bois-Jerome, and Miss May Palmer.
For backgrounds OF the Abbe I took the altar in
the cathedral. Miss PaImer's portrait made
of doors
1T has been reported that you are to exhibit
some pictures at the Royal Academy and in the
Salon"
had only told that myself 1 only selected
them for the framer the day before I left"
What they 10 be?'
ITO the Royal Academy shall send the portrait
Of Mr.. Roudebush. and that OF Miss Palmer. At
the Salon l will exhibit the portrait of the Able
and OF the Countess OF Trobriand. l shall
also have at the Salon the statue Of General
Slocum."
The statue Of General Slocum is an equestrian
night that 1t was almosu ready TO be cast and that
it would be brought to this country after IL had
been exhibited at the Salon
Asked what he thought OF the artistic conditions
for work here he said.
u don't believe much in artistic conditions
essential for good work. II man has it in him he
II is on a desert isle in South Africa Paris.
OF course II person doesn't know anything about
his business he would be an amateur on desert
isle. but II he knows II thoroughly, ana knows ne
knows it-suppOsing case, and not meaning my
self at al-he work everywhere.
There is not more appreciative people in the
want the best things and they are determined to
have them. There is a positive demand for the
best here"
Mr.. MacMonnies would not say who the subjects
OF the portraits he is to paint would be
Il never like to say anything about thing until
il is done. 1 may change my mind about il, or be-
g!r - again a different way
He said he intended to stay with his mother
short time, and then open a studio here