The Irish standard., 1903-08-08
His Death Closed Pathetic Romance and
Announced an lrreparable Loss
to American Art.
In Competition With Seventy Competitors
He Was Awarded First Honors at
the Worlds Fair.

In its fulliment no less than in its
promise, the talent of John Donogll,lc,
the sculptor, has received wide rccoy-
niton. His work ranks With the best
America has produced. Ills lonely
death by suicide !: few days ago
closed Il pathetic romance while it an
nounccd Il great. rrcparallc loss to
American art, says the New York
Herald.
n curious fatality followed Donoy-
hue throughout his entire career.
One enterprise after another failed of
accomplishment, often by the mcrcst
chance. llc brought to his work an
unmistakablc genius and an exceed
ingly sensitive artistic conscience.
Ills was an inspiring figure, tall,
with the body of an athlete. He was
possessed of unboundcd energy and
well fitted in every sense, it would
seem, to take care of himself. In
this age the word fate cannot be
taken as serious explanation of
failure. by any other name the per-
siStent i'll fortune which everywhere
followed him will seem equally tragic.
After SO much promise ana in many
respects so great q success, the sc,llp-
tor by the mcrcst chance escaped Il
paupcrs grave. But why suicide?
The question is partly answered fur
tlier on i'll the brief record of his
life and its romance. John DOnOghuc
died at the age of fOrty-siX. He was
OF Irish descent, though an American
by birth, having been born in Chicago.
His genius was recognized early and
he was afforded every advantage of
education and travel. When a mere
boy he studied in the Ecolc dcs
BcauX Arts under the tutcage of
Fnlguicr, the famous sculptor, and
made rapid progress. He first cX-
| hibitcd ut the Paris Salon Il figure of
| Plcdra, which was widely praised
and quickly purchased. Later he
| wandered over the greater part of
Europe. Rome in particular attract
cd and held him. The greater part Of
his life WAS spent in New York. The
talent of the young sculptor was
everywhere recognized. While i'm
Rome, as early as 1889, his statue of
the Hunting Nympll was publicly cx-
llihitrd ana received the highest praise
Ilf, ,.pif
great work. was shown in Venice
and. later. in London. II did much
to establish the reputation of the ris-
Ing American sculptor. The future
seemed assured Donogllur's genius
WAS by this time generally recognized
in Europe. lie was still young. on
thusinstfc ana energetic. The time
seemed ripe for Il great effort, and
most opporluncly, us it seemed, now
came the opportunity. The date of
the Worlds Fair ut Chicago was fixed
for 1888, ana Donoghue was given AN
opportunity to contribute. 1t should
be remembered That Donoghllc was by
birth Il Chicagonn, filled with pride
1
and ambition for his native city, His
residence abroad had served but to
quicken his pride while it had trained
his genius. The psychological mo-
ment seemed at hand DOnoglluc
planned his work on the broadcast
lines. His statue was to be worthy
Of himself and his city. 1t was to
be the largest statue ever modelled
and plans were made to have it rise
from the waters of Lake Michigan. i'm
| front Of the fair grounds, where it's
huge bulk would dominate the White
City. The statue was called "The
Spirit Of the Abyss" 1t had been in
spired by Il famous passage in para
disc Lost" DonOghuc returned to
Rome to work. No studio could be
found large enough to accommodate
| his statue. The spirit was represent
ed by giant male figure seated with
| Outstretched wings. From tip to tin
Of the great wings it measured seven
| ty-five feet. Failing to find any
studio large enough to shelter it,
DOnoghue, with characteristic spirit,
determined upon a bold course. He