File:Edward Valentine - Robert E Lee recumbent statue.jpg

Identifier: americanartamer01mont (find matches)
Title: American art and American art collections; essays on artistic subjects
Year: 1889 (1880s)
Authors: Montgomery, Walter
Subjects: Art Artists Art
Publisher: Boston, E.W. Walker & co
Contributing Library: Smithsonian Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Smithsonian Libraries

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ustees of theWashington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia, ordered a statue of General Lee, offeringfor it $15,000, and leaving all details to the sculptor. A recumbent figure was chosen, sug-gested, perhaps, by the exquisite one at Charlottenburg over the tomb of the Queen of Prussia,by Rauch, or the less celebrated one of the Duchess of Nassau at Wiesbaden, by Hoffgarten.But there is no resemblance whatever beyond the mere fact that it is recumbent. As wellmight it be said that Rauch took his idea from a sleeping knight stretched upon a tomb insome mediaeval cathedral. It is in this exquisite piece of statuary that we have the first realgauge of our sculptors range of power. It is cut from one block of flawless marble, andnow occupies a place in the Lee Mausoleum, at Washington and Lee University. Mr. S. Teakle Wallis, of Baltimore, in an address at the Baltimore Academy of Music, thusspeaks of this great work: The statue, which is of marble, and of rather more than life-size,
Text Appearing After Image:
£3£3 5 ft z _l E-i%H - J * -^ u m i> a H P Pi oo Pi s P i p z c& o 1—I H a f=H u >H > PQ <a: H <3 £ z UJ H PQ S D O H tf AMERICAN ART 239 received the last touches of the chisel but a few days since, and was exhibited to the public in Richmond, where it created the profoundest sensation The hero is lying in his uniform, as if in sleep, upon his narrow soldiers bed. One hand is on his bosom, and touches, unconsciouslyand gently, the drapery of his couch. The other is lying by his side, where it has fallen,and rests upon his sword. The portraiture is perfect, no less as to form than feature. Thewhole expression is that of tranquil and absolute repose, — the repose of physical power,unshaken though dormant, — of manly grace most graceful when at rest, — of noble facultiesalive and sovereign though still. An English gentleman, a traveller who saw it while it was yet in the studio, writes of it: We confess to feelings ofgazed at Valentines splen-Vi

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