Evening star., 1939-10-01

minutes dltcI IlOOU one Qdy ldSL W
each we're led into the crypt to view
The man who guided the first.
group made facetious comments
about these pioneers who fought for
equal rights for their sex; the
woman In charge Of the second
group gave a serious explanation.
But the main point is that people
from all parts of the United States,
and doubtless many from abroad,
gaze for moment upon these noble
faces and learn something Of their
achievement.
What is not generally known is
that the sculptor, Adelaide johnson,
who immortalized in marble these
great American women, has lived in
Washington, only a few blocks from
the Capitol, for many years. She
first came to the National Capital in
1886 for brief sojourn, but has re-
sided here continuously since 1926.
Her home and studio is at 230 Mary
land avenue NE. in the midst of a
spacious garden. It also seems ap-
propriate that she lives only block
from the headquarters of the Ma
tional Woman's Party, of which she
is a life member.
Woman's Place.
For woman's place in the world,
her freedom and equality with man,
is a subject as close to Mrs. johnson
as her sculpture. She has made a
special study of the characters of
women of achievement. One does
not have to have been a pioneer
suf1ragist to be discouraged over the
situation of women today, when to-
talitarian dictators have abolished
the hard-won equality of millions of
women in Europe. and large num-
bers Of younger women in this coun-
try seem to be passive with regard
to their privilege.
"The question of women and what
they do and do not do with that
which the pioneers secured for them,
is too big to try to explain" said
Mrs. Johnson, repeating that those
who realize the importance Of re-
tanning this freedom, will never cease
to struggle for 1t. Suffrage" she
added, was but one item of the
great cause Of freedom"
But no explanations of any sort
are necessary for the visitor who
enters Mrs. Johnson's garden gallery
and studies the marble busts of men
and women on view there. The gal
lery is superb background for the
sculptor's works. Walls and floor
are painted a soft gray, while
draperies at the windows and up
holstery of the Italian Renaissance
chairs four of which are exact re-
plicas of the Medici chairs are a
deep rich blue. Against this color
scheme, the busts of Carrara marble
seem to be high-hghted. The win
dows, 8 feet in height, have easily
adjusted openings. AS she exhibits
portrait, Mrs. johnson will draw
one of the softly draped hangings,
admitting sufficient daylight to out
line sharply a handsome profile
(such as Susan B. Anthony's) or to
reveal the subtle modelling of face,
or the splendid sweep of line from
the crown of head to the waist.
Good Likenesses.
The marked individuality of these
busts convinces the observer that
they must have been faithful like
nesses. One is reminded of the
comment Of George Bernard Shaw,
who upon seeing photographs of
some of Mrs. Johnson's portraits, ex-
claimed to her.
What are those! What are those!
They are not masks, they are peo-
ple!"
Among them are separate busts
Of the three women now combined
in the memorial at the Capitol.
Miss Anthony and Mrs. Stanton
with whom Mrs. johnson was~well
acquainted. helped" her with the
portrait bust of Lucretia Mott, by
their comments and criticisms. "They
loved her to the point of worship"
says Mrs. johnson.
The triple memorial at the Capitol
is said to be the first monument by
woman dedicated to members of
her sex, to appear in any capitol
building in the world. All of Mrs.
Johnsons works were executed in
Rome, except this one at the Cap
itol, which was done in Carrara.
On February Is, 1921. the Tooth
anniversary of Susan B. Anthony,
the memorial was unveiled in the
rotunda of the Capitol. It was re-
ceived by the Speaker of the House
in the name of the women of the
United States and on behalf of As
women's organizations. More than
5000 people attended the ceremony.
Mrs. johnson had a studio in
Rome for nearly 40 years. There
she studied for II years under Julio
Monteverde as his only pupil, for he
was not a professional teacher, but
sculptor Of such Importance to
Italy as Rodm was to France. She