New-York tribune., 1909-04-16
4 M4CMONNIES DIVORCE,
French Courts Separated Sculptor
and Wife an NOUember

Paris. April 15.-It was learned here to-day that
the French courts in November OF last year,
granted divorce between Frederick MacMonnles'
the American sculptor. and his wife, who was a
Miss Mary F'airchiId. OF New Haven The two were
married in this city September 70, 1888
It is understood that the divorce was arranged
amicably and that it kept quiet in order to
avoid gossip. Not the two children OF the
couple aware that their parents have legally
separated.
Mrs MacMonnies was questioned on the matter
this afternoon and said: There no scandal
and there has been recrimtnation on either sloe.
The partnership simply ceased Under the terms
Of the decree the children will spend half their
time with me and half with their father
Mrs MacMonnes who is living with her mother
has taken a studio in Paris and is working in the
Louvre, making copies of paintings for the Boston
Museum of Arts. Nj. MacMonnies retains his home
and his studio at Giverny-Vernon, near Paris
where he Is engaged on monumental fountain, or
dered by the City of Denver. His mother is resid-
ing with him
Elijah R Kennedy an intimate friend of Mr..
MacMonnies-their two families also being very in
tmate-was unwilling to talk yesterday about the
separation between Mr.. MacMonnes and his wife
further than to that the reason assigned for
the separation, Mr.. MacMohnies's alleged jealousy
OF his wifes popularity artist. was pre-
posterous and entir ely unfOunded.
Mr.. Kennedy also said that the statement in the
first dispatch reporting this separation, that Mr.
MacMonnies has recently oeen in America for the
first time since his became great word in
the realm OF European sculpture is entirely in
correct. Since Mr.. MaCMonnies received the Sotd
medal of the Salon his statue of J. S. T Srana-
han, standing in Prospect Park, which award came
to him nearly twenty years ago, Mr. MacMonnies
must have been in the United States at least ten
times. and of his visits be has spent as
long time as five months He was here only this
last winter. and he visits his native country as
often his pany engagements on his artistic
work will permit MIN to. The statement in the
dispatch that Mr.. MacMonnies got his first
chance" in Brooklyn and then deserted to France
is also entirety inaccurate. The Nathan Hale
statue, which stands in the City Hall Park in Man
haitian, ordered and made before the Strana-
han statue which Mr.. MacMonniess first
chance in Brooklyn but he had never worked
at his art in this country the statement that he
first worked here and then deserted to France IS
incorrect
Mr.. MacMonnies showed talent for sculpture from
his very earliest years. His first teacher was Au-
gustus Saint-Ciaudens. Finally Mr.. Saint-Gaudens
said Now l have aught you all can You must
go to Paris ana 1t was this, and in no sense
desertion that TOOK him to the French capital His
orders for work hs We been many and so pressing
that he has never had time to study his com
fort and convenience. but he has always been in
tending return America to work, and will
doubtless do before many years.
The suggestion that since the death Of these two
masters" Saint -Gaudens and Whstler-"he has not
erroneous Mr Kennedy said: Il well aware
OF the very aTectionate relations that existed he
tween Saint -Ciaudens and MacMonnes until death
separated them and / also perfectly aware OF
the relations which existed between Whistler and
MaCMonnies I have visited Whistler and spent
hours his study with MacMonnes, but the sug
gestion that either OF the two named had any
influence upon his art except Mr.. Saint -Gaudens
his first teacher. and that their death has had
The least effect whatever IS absolutely unfounded-
one effect OF the death of Mr.. Saint-Gaudens is
that some extremely desirable artistic commissions
which would naturally have gone to Saint-Gaudens
have. since HIS death been given to Mr.. MaCMon-
MES. who is at work upon them, one Of them
being for the Players The statue Of General Nc
Clellan in Washington the last important
work OF Mr.. MacMonnies unveiled in this country.
and II shows very much the reverse ~ any de-
terioration hts
'Mr MscMonnies has At his time commissions
which would keep him work several years II
during that time did get another order.
Among the chief Of these commissions foun-
tain for the city Hall Park in New York. great
fountain the city of Denver which will be Of
the most splendid works he has made. several
mausoleums to be richly decorated with sculpture
and at least bronze statues of American states
men. Besides these ne is carrying along for his
freshment purely artistic works Of great interest