Democratic Sentinel, Volume 13, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 February 1889 — How a Statue Is Created. [ARTICLE]

How a Statue Is Created.

A vague idea prevails as to liow a sculptor works out a statue. The truth is this: The artist puts the conception as nearly as possible into a material form by the aid of clay. A plaster cast is then taken cf that. By this time deft mechanics have a block of marble, “square and out of mind,” in the most perfect manner. Then the cast is set alongside, and by means of square and rule and callipers the model is copied point by point. The mass is hewn from the block rapidly until a general outline’is reached. Then the mechanic proceeds with more skill and care, and gradually reduces it until the exact image of the original model is reached. Then a still more skillful artisan undertakes it,, and does almost marvels under the artist's personal direction. At last the artist pats on the finishing touches, which give the individuality, the excellence, the semblance of the person modeled after, or which conveys the idea that the artist has fancied into creation. A statue, like other works of art, is but a vehicle, as it were, to transport the thought that generated in the artist's mind, and was modeled and rounded into a perfection by his perseverance that delights {esthetics and others in proportion as they understand it. These finer touches can be done by none but the designer, for he cannot instruct others what he wants. A faint characteristic, a delicate lineament, a slight indication of a line will make or mar by imparting an expression desired or npt. So the artist must take the chisel, and study and carve and carve and study until the block is the incarnation of the thing formulated in the artist's mind. —Harriet Hosmer. Cremation is still illegal in France, and bodies have to be taken to Italy for the purpose. A Parisian was carried to Milan for incineration, according to the direction of his will, when the Italian customs authorities levied S7O import duty on the body when it entered the country, and charged the same export duty when the ashes were taken back to France. Esculapius began practiting medicine when an infant, which gave rise to •the song: “M. D. is the cradle, baby’s gone. ”