Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-25
THE PARNELL STATUE
CENTER OF ATTRACTION AT A
DUBLIN ART EXHIBITION.

Special CablegranA to The Star.
DUBLIN, August 24-The Parnell statue
is the great piece at the Oireachtas exhibl-
ton of arts and crafts, which is now being
held in the rooms of the Royal Hibernian
Academy. The statue is placed at the top
end of the principal. or inner. room, and
from the door in Abbey street can be fully
seen away up in the distance. It is work
that produces a great and impressive effect
Instantly; SO great and SO impressive that
one is forced to examine 1t in its details
to find reason for Its fascination. 1t will
have to stand In the most excellent COM
pany in the world. and to face comparison
with some Of the finest of public mOnu-
ments. 1t Is quite safe in the ordeal; there
need not be the slightest dread Of the COM
parison.
Absolutely unlike the art of Foleys Graf
tan, or Burke, or Goldsmith or O'Connell,
1t introduces to the city Of Dublin a style
Of statuary which is strange but unique.
Its art is broad, massive and vigorous.
Style is subordinated to the expression OF
Idea and motive. 1t is impressionist, Wv
idly. daringly realistic. Parnell is facing
crowd. He is drawn to his full height, his
breast swells proudly out, the long legs are
loosely hung and just in the act Of moving
forward. The left foot is at the verge of
the broad platform, on the point of drop
ping over: the right is slightly behind Its
fellow. The right arm is extended grace
fingers spread out, as though making
period. The left arm drops easily down on
a small round table, carrying a sheaf of
papers in disarray, and the cloth of the
table. an immense, rich, spreading drapery,
hides the neatly rounded table shaft and
the coiled legs at the base and, sweeping
behind the figure falls at the right of the
platform in finely arranged wisp.
Accuracy in Point of Dress.
Parnell is wearing two coats. The over
coat is a rough material and comes down
low upon his legs. 1t Is pushed back from
the shoulders by the action of the arms.
The left lapel of the inside coat-a more
tidy garment-pushes itself out over the
lapel of the other. The trousers are deeply
creased and workmanlike, the waistcoat is
collared and creased, the watch chain runs
to the left pocket. The shirt collar Is low
and the breast is hidden by fiat tie.
All these details are of intense concern
to the spectator, for they are utterly I'M
conventional and compel scrutiny. But the
whole fascination of the conception finally
centers on the face-a wonderful piece OF
work The Parnen represented Is the Par
nell of the zenith. The face is healthy, the
eye piercing, the forehead bold, the hair
scanty and trim, the beard well pointed
and becoming. The mere handsomeness
of the features Is not insisted upon The
direct stare of the two deep-set eyes, the
fixed firmness of the well-formed nose, the
energy of the cheekbones, the lips scarcely
apart, the temples QllaIlnS-all speak ear
nestness. This Is the idea which was con-
veyed at the very outset to the observer.
The whole action indicates strong faith in
some doctrine, which, with calm but in
crowd that has been fascinated by and
fascinates the orator.
The Stroke Of Genius.
The stroke of genius is in the marvellous
dignity, self possession and distinction,
,,ff Cot NH
likeness. 1t may be said, is intimate per-
days of high achievement. untiring
strength, indomitable resolve. The pose
struck all beholders familiar with 1.-THE
CHIEF as that which they had often seen
variable habit of his. At times the outer
coat did notable duty. Who can forget the
cheers which greeted the great leader as he
shook 1t from his plant shoulders? The
istic In fact, the Parnen of the platform
lives again and almost breathes in bronze.
We do not know whether st. Gaudens ever
saw his subject in life and movement.
However this may be, his fidelity to the life
is unimpeachable.
The whole piece is artstically very beau
tiful. One IS eager to see this fine work on
its pedestal. Even thus confined its power
Is striking. Assuredly, raised above the
heads of men, with nothing between 1t and
the heavens, its effect must be superb.
There will be no disappointment in the
statue 1t is wcxthy in every conceivable
respect-one of the most remarkable. 1t is
quite safe to say, of the public statues of
recent times. The artist had a great SUBJ
ject His art has expressed It SO con-
vincingly that one wonders could it other
wise be expressed. 1t is understood that
the monument, which will stand worthily
at the head of the finest thoroughfare in
Europe will comprise many details in ad-
dition to the majestic centerpiece of the
figure itself