The Washington times., 1921-10-30
FINDS PRINCELY
PATRONS AT LAST.


found princely patrons, the royalties
Of Sweden, Princess Patricia Of
Connaught, who gave him one of her
own paintings. the Count Won Trolle.
DR.. Ludwig Loostrom. director Of
the National Gallery. Stockholm,
and in Holland the great poet and
metaphysician, Frederick van Eden.
the Weir Mitchell Of the Dutch. Gel
ebrated reviewers and art critics
wrote in high praise of his work and
its promise. In >1914-15 Edstrom
was engaged by the city Of Gothen-
burg on designs for a public square.
When the war broke out. he was
staying at Strand. Alvastra. the
home of Ellen Key, engaged upon a
portrait bust Of the great feminist.
picturing her in Woman as Philo-
sopher." Woman as Aristocrat,"
he presented in a study of the late
crown princess, so deeply mourned.
sister. 1t will be recalled of Prin-
cess Patricia. .....
More recently, celebrating the suf-
frage amendment, Edstrom depict
ed Mary Austin, the noted novelist,
in Woman as Prophet" Another
composition, shown in Washington
two years ago. depicts The Signifi-
canoe of the League of Nations"
symbolizing the horror of war and
the joy OF happy, normal life.
Edstrom offered his services
abroad at the opening Of war. but
being for some reason refused. he
turned to America. Il almost wish
L had never left Ottumwa," he
unused. II should like to see an origi-
nal and virile American art. quite
untouched by borrowed European
ideas and culture"
After his arrival he spent a year
or so in an Episcopalian monastery
in the mountains of Tennessee.
He then opened a studio in New
York. where he was engaged upon
a variety Of compositions. One was
a beautiful memorial, executed in
marble. dedicated in Montreal by
the Prince of Wales during his visit
on this side. In another group, of
Serbian refugees. Edstrom repre-
scented the "Will to Conquer"
prophetic figure pointing forward
and directing the march. Instinct
with movement. this composition
has been compared to st. Gaudens'
SHAW Memorial" in Boston.
Two life-size Egyptian figures, the
mystical Isis and "Nephthys."
were unveiled two years ago in the
Scottish Rite Temple in Washing
ton. Portrait busts of notables in
cluded the former Swedish Minis
ter to this country, now deceased.
Colonel Trezevant OF Texas, also
the important Cochran Monument
at Dallas, Tex.
GREAT WORK is
TRIUMPH OF MAN"
But the subject upon which Eds
trom's interest concentrated is The
Triumph of Man" an allegorical
study executed from earlier concep-
tons of twenty years ago, when he
stood before the LAGOON" group
in the Vatican, and vowed to prove
that man is not the victim OF fate
ns the unknown Greek sculptor por.
trayed him.
1t was the story again OF the
great red Dragon" OF the Apocs.
lypse. The late w. II. de d. Mel
son, editor OF the International Stu
dio, saw this work in its preliminary
sketch in Edstroms New York
studio last year, and wrote enthu-
siasticaily OF It, concluding:
THE serpent may be identified
with unorganized nature--storm.
lightning and rage Of ocean--all Of
which must bend finally to his will.
as man. the supreme master, ushers
his forces in their despite. Edstrom
himself would never brook defeat
He also praised another compost
ton by Edstrom. the colossal Tomb
OF the Immortals." II is upon the
Man Triumphant" that Edstrom Is
now engaged in his Los Angeles
studio. hut soon the massive model
will be sent to washington for erhi
bition at the time Of the disarmAr
nent conference.