The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-05
DESIGNER BRENNER
ON PERFECT WOMAN
Dash of the Devil Links
Venus with the Angels.
AMERICAN GIRL is PEERLESS
Russian Designer of New Lincoln
Penny Says Satanic Quality Is Nee
Beautiful Work for Which InspIrn-
tiOn Came from American Woman.

New York. Aug. 4-''No woman Is per-
feet without dash OF the devil in her.
That is the quality in the American wom-
an which links the Venus and the angel
IN her and makes her peer above all
other women In the universal"
This tribute 10 the American woman
was advanced by Victor D. Brenner. the
eminent medalist and sculptor. designer
OF the new Lincoln penny issued by the
government yesterday.
1t was during an Interview with the
sculptor that he showed Miss Viola Justin
a wonderful bust recently completed
called "Womanhood," for which he says
the American woman was the inspiration.
The little studio at III East Twenty
eighth street has the atmosphere OF the
master everywhere. 1t IS bare enough Of
furnishings. but fun Of priceless works
OF art in various stages Of development.
Victor Bremen Is a unique type in him
self. with his black eyes and beard. and
Of the rather squat. muscular build pecu-
liar to the Russian people.
Il believe in work" he said, 'and sim
plicity," and. as an example. he pushed
aside the drapery from a tall pedestal
and revealed a dazzling group he is pre-
pairing for the winter exhibition.
It is an old Morse legend told IN mar
bic. The story Of the giant who when
defeated in battle. returned to Mother
Nature and touched her who was the
source OF his strength and vitality Ma
ture Is represented By a beautiful and IN
usual type OF beauty. at whose knees
Humanity, in the form of a boy. holds
forth his hands in a half fainting. half
supplcaung attitude
There is the superwoman," Brenner
continued, as I gazed in admiration at
the woman-part angel. part Venus-for
which the sculptor believes American
ideals are responsible
Beauty Lies in EyeS.
The great soul-compelling beauty Of
the women Of this country lies in the
expression Of her eyes. Any woman you
may meet-the casual passer-by, the
young girl, the working girl. the society
woman-aI the women Of your country
have the vital spark Of intellectually
burning from their eyes.
"One sees that she is not only the
mother, the housekeepef. the home max
er, but the generator Of ideas, advance
ment, development, and progress"
He paused and pointed to the eyes OF
the Nature"
Il have tried to catch that express
sion," he said. You see It in the an
tique Greek, It is reflected In the eyes
Of the American woman. it Is symboli-
cal, I believe, symbolical OF the future
woman the daughter Nof the great wom-
an of to-day. But you see here the diff
ference between the sublime serenity of
the Venus de Milo and the Venus Anno
Domini-the latter's humanizing dash OF
devil without which no woman is com
plete"
Mr.. Brenner's black eyes flashed in a
smile.
America means a great deal to me-
he went on, again pointing to his PLAGUE
OF Lincoln.
When I was a boy determined to be
a sculptor. There are no chances for
me IN my own country. and l had been
taught that there was recompense for
achievement in America, so I came over.
/ was quite alone. and I fear with scarce
~ enough temporal wealth TO admit me
through the sacred portals, at least ac-
cording 10 the new immigration laws. But
I loved work.
My motto has always been that II one
works hard enough there is nothing one
cannot accomplish. I set 10 work at the
trade had learned from my father. seal
cutting and jewelry engraving II Is not
such a long cry from artisanship TO art,
provided one goes about II the right way
Il had one knock after another !
couldn't speak the language at first. SO
had that 10 master. Then I experienced
the same reverses with which every am
bilious young chap meets when he bites