Evening star., 1902-01-13

Ernest w. Heyser.
sented to give many sittings as possible,
and to do all in his power to make the bust
a success, as he felt that, if the wor. was
done by a Maryland sculptor and was well
done. it would rebound to the artists credit
and to the credit of his native state.
Mr.. Keyser left his studio in New York
to come here about two weeks ago. In or
der to facilitate the work he took room
at the Hotel Richmand, so as to be near
the admiral, who lives there. Mr.. keyser
ate at the same table and spent as much
time as possible with the admiral in order
to more thoroughly and carefully study the
character Of his face and his peculiarities.
Sttings usually lasting about a half hour
We're given daily, and numerous photo
graphs were employed. the latter more par
ticularly to aid in modelling the minor de-
tails of clothing, equipment, etc.
An Interesting "Sittcr."
Admiral Schley proved, to use a term
familiar to the work, a very interesting
sitter, yet his posing was invariably done
standing" Mr.. Keyser said, before leaving
for Baltimore this afternoon. "In all my
experience / never found a man more ac-
tive than the admiral, or who could
less bear the restraint imposed upon him
while posing for an artist. But this really
proved of value in the modelling of the por
trait.
The life thus displayed gave vital in
terest to the subject and enabled me to
better delineate the man of action. The ad-
miral watched the progress of the modelling
with acute interest and seemed to marvel
as he saw his features rapidly yet care
fully assuming plastic form. He usually
came to the studio Immediately after
luncheon, say 2:3O O'Clock in the afternoon
At the last sitting he was accompanied by
Mrs. Schley, who made a few but helpful
suggestions
unuSnallv wide of kpnWledpa nd
acumen. He was as conversant, IL not mere
SO, than was myself with the masters Of
art, both modern and ancient, which
seemed all the more remarkable in man
of action. Not once did ne speak of his
military life except some anecdotes and
| bits of "reminiscences of his rescue Of Gree
| ly, and this when asked him about 1t. 1
| was impressed with his equable disposition.
| When he did speak of things naval IN the
conversation that was constantly going on
while he was walking up and down the
room and was at work with the clay, it
| was to refer to the old masters Of laval
| warfare.
| He seemed to think that the portrait, as
| modeled, was more characteristic and alive
| than the majority of the numerous photo
| graphs for which he has posed. 1t is vastly
different posing for a portrait before a
| sculptor, to having ones head screwed in
| a vice and asked to look pleasant or being
| nauled from one position to another. The
| admiral invariably smoked a cigar and
walked back and forth, and entered with in
| terest into the discussions of different sub
| 1ects that were brought OUT
| Good Reproduction.
Only very few persons have seen the
completed clay model Those who have and
| who are acquainted with Admiral Schlay
| pronounce it to be an excellent reproduc-
! tion Of his features. The likeness is indeed
a striking one. While one recognizes the
| bust as being the admiral of everyday life
| also feels that II iS ba odr irol cfo A.
! Ing on the bridge of the Brooklyn with
| thoughtful, yet intent gaze, the nostri!s
| slightly dilated, suggestive of the man OF
action. The final bust will be half length
including hands, in pose that will be rec
| ognized as characteristic.
| Mr.. keyser, the sculptor, is young man
but he has had a remarkably successful
| career in art. He attended the schools OF
| the Maryland Institute and the Charcoal
Club of Baltimore, and then went to New
| York, where he studied at the Art Students
League under st. Gaudens, and for a period
worked in his private studio For four
| years he studied in the schools Of Paris
! under Denys Puech and Jean Dampt. While
| abroad he exhibited at the salon an ideal
| bust in marble of Ophela, and several other
works that were favorably received. Re-
| turning to America he remained in Balti-
more for year, during which time he exc
| cuted numerous portraits in bronze and
| marble He has since made New York his
| home.
Artist Not Superstitious.
Mr.. Keyser is anything but superstnious
When he went to the Richmond he asked
particularly that he be given room Is fol
his studio The model was practically com
| pleted Saturday, but he preferred to defer
its removal until today. because of it's being
the 18th Of the month. He slept in his
studio. and his bed was SO placed that II
| he awakened during the night the unfin-
| ished work would confront him. Often dur
| ing the night, by artificial light, certain
changes were suggested, and he would arise
| and make them.