The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-27
STRANGE MONUMENT TO WILDE

From the Baltimore Sun.
The monument which Is to be set up
over Oscar wilde's grave in Pere la
Chaise cemetery, PARIS, is now complete
all but the inscription. It is on exhibit
ton in London at the studio OF Jacob
Epstein, the sculptor, on Cheyne Walk,
Chelsea, and will remain there until the
end of June. Then it will be placed on a
Thames barge and foated down the
steamship docks for transshipment to
France.
The work was made possible by the do
nation OF a large sum OF money by some
unknown admirer Of Wilde. The an
nouncement was made two years ago at
| a dinner given to Robert Ross In celebra-
ton OF the completion of the publication
Of the definitive edition of Wilde's work
The commission was given almost at once
to Mr.. Epstein, who devoted more than
a year to preliminary study. The cutting
Of the stone was begun only 10 months
ago, and the finishing touches were given
In the last days of May.
Two huge blocks OF Derbyshire lime
stone, together weighing more than 20
tons, constitute the monument. The low
err block. or base. is quite plain except
for the epitaph. which is not yet decided
upon. The upper block carries the de-
sign.
This is the colossal image Of a winged
man, carved and highly conventionalized
in the Assyrian STYLE. The monument as
a whole forms an entablature, and the
figure is carved In the highest relief. SO
that 1t seems to exist parallel with the
tablet rather than as part and parcel
| of 1t.
The upper half of the stone Is given
up to the great square wings. which are
chiseled into vast feathers such as are
seen In the statues Of the oldest Baby
lonian and Assyrian gods. The body is In
generally horizontal attitude of flight,
with the lower limbs fiexed at the hips
and knees. The pose is graceful. power
full. almost majestic.
The face of the statue, despite the con-
ventionalized modelling, Is striking por-
trait of Wilde. The features are carved
In O curious flattened fashioned suggest
ing the appearance that children often
present when they fiatten their noses,
cn1nS anu lOTenedus against WlnuOW
pane. This gives the countenance
bizarre If not grotesque suggestiveness,
but the closed eyes, the faring nostrils.
the sensuous mouth. the strong chin are
alive with pride and defiance inspired
with tho wisdom of life and the beauty of
the universe.
The work as whole expresses GER
tain elevation, a certain perversty. a
depth of tragedy. It's significance is ex-
traordinarily accordant with the strange,
blighted career of the strange, bIighted
poet whose memory it is to perpetuate.
Over the face rises an Assyrian diadem,
on which figure blowing the trumpet of
fame is sculptured in low relief. Above
this again are figures of primordial idols
representing prideS luxury. envy and glory.
The sculptor calls the statue 1.-THE Winged
Messenger Others couple with it
phrase of Wilde's, I'm strong level flight"
IT. is making sensation in London.
While no one seems to dispute its inspira-
ton and powerful execution it's daring
and defiance of certain accepted stand
ards of propriety, have aroused a spirit
of criticism of no small bitterness. One
London paper remarks that no such mon
ument should be erected In any English
graveyard. Another says that no such
monument should be erected to a man of
Wilde's record anywhere. 1t Is prophe-
sled however, that Paris will not be
shocked or even startled by 1t. This re-
mains TO be seen.