The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-03-02
The WORK OF TWO .
FAMOUS ARTISTS
AN HOUR IN THE STUDIO OF THE
KITsoNs, scULPToRs.
Working Amidst Historic Scenes, These
skillful People Produce Figures and
Action In Clay Which Is Startlingly
Real-Their Work for Iowa and Min
nesota.

BY the Invitation of Mr.. and Mrs.
kltson, enjoyed recently the gracious
hospitality Of these two famous artists
in their delightful home by the sea, at
nre Of being entertained in their studio.
The town itself possesses much historic
interest; for it was settled in 1925, and
it was here that John Adams and John
Quincy Adams were born, had their
mon homes + {st III, kept in good condition. it
church, or Granite Temple that
they and their wives are buried. 1t
vas very pleasant and restful, after
hurrying around for two days in visit
Ing various places of historic interest
| IN and around Boston, to be entertained
pie, .=.s...,ssz. ne -.
Both of these artists are skillful hunt |
I srs and the home possesses many evil
dences Of their skill. Mrs. Kitson seems
J none the less effective with rife than
is her husband-one Of the finest deer
skins on the floor being taken from
| deer brought down by her rifle.
In the workshop Of these creators of
the beautiful in art, was first shown
the completed clay model (heroic size)
OF the soldiers monument for the Uni
versity Of Minnesota, now ready to be
cast in bronze. It is a beautiful, inspir-
Ing figure. which I hope may long stand
to teach that there are some things
better than life, and that it is only as
one dedicates himself to these. he wins
pm immortality Of righteous influence.
Mrs. Kitson, in this statue has, with
rare genius, depleted the American vol
S Gs Rand Of AnS M9 sen elay
model for the statue to the famous
army nurse Of the civil war. Mother
Bickerdyke, soon to be erected at Gales
burg, Ill. It is a most beautiful and
"a lfelike representation of this noble,
e patriotic woman and represents her
3 her. knee as she kneels and gives him
III water from a canteen. The city Of
III Galesburg is to be congratulated on
securing such splendid memorial.
K After looking upon Mr.. Kitson s
II Minute Man, or Captain Parker
4 at Lexington, a day or two before, 1
i was somewhat prepared: to expect an
: other rare treat, but when he uncov-
q cred the work he is now doing on the
panels (six of them j, in high relief. for
4 the Vicksburg memorial for the state
= Of Iowa, to cost 100000, my expecta-
q tions were so far surpassed that it was
= difficult to express my admiration in
2 words. The first Of three Of these pan
els now completed, represents the. cap.
ture of a confederate battery. can
not describe it in detail here---it can
be appreciated only by being seen-but
it seems 50 lifelike, SO true to re-
atty, SO full Of action-one almost ex
poets to hear the word Of command an6
b the roar of battle. = r~% TIL
e Another panel represents the capture
r. Of a redoubt where the color-bearer ant
e one color sergeant have reached the
crest and are planting the flag, while
the men behind are pushing men up thu
n slope. T. 49,. 49,.
Still another panel. even more full 0:
~ L. 1-4L
thru a double: line Of infantry, as i
dashes to the 'front.' The riders on, tn
artillery horses, as they lash the foam
II ing sides Of the horses, the horses wit
81 distended nostrils as they rush madl
# forward. the infantry rapidly gettin
s. out Of the way. the oncoming guns-a!!
s that one finds himself, as he faces tn
e panel, instinctively looking for a .plac
to get out of the way to escape bein
q run over. Iowa may well be congratr
lated on her great good fortune in 81
curing the services of such an arts
Many Who have seen his magnificent d
field, recently shown to the commissio
in st. Paul, hope that orr state may t
equally fortunate in enlistlng his ia
ents.
s. One Of Mrs. Kitson's most famo,
S figures is that Of "The Volunteer" tt
M MASSACHUSETTS memorial Oh tllS oc11i
field, while another Of MIR. Kitson
best works is the 'statue Of Admir-
Farragut, in Marine park, South 80
ton. a"
As I stood before the work Of the
81 modest and divinely gifted artlsts,
could but express the wish that I, te
had this heavenly gift; but my GEM
host consoled, and at the same tir
q pleasantly rebuked me-, by sayln
VYou are working on better. matters
for nv work is only on clay IS
E Arthur T. Haynes,
>% University Of Minnesota.
ou1nro INN TT nIUEDc