International studio (57.1915/1916)

Modern-A rebate Sculpture in America



AJAX BY EDWARD FIELD SANFORD, JR.

MODERN-ARCHAIC SCULPTURE
IN AMERICA.
BY EUSTACE EDMISTON
In America there is an interesting
group of young sculptors strongly animated by
the spirit of the past, and who have emerged from
a struggle with conventional critics to that de-
gree of expression which always precedes an art
of decided individuality.
These young men have the fervour and freedom
of imagination of the ancient Greeks; yet their
art, again like those great masters of eternity, is
wonderfully modern. Their work demonstrates
the theory that the essence of art is a strong
sense of individualism and desire on the part of
the artist to express himself in the noblest w,ay
possible. A prominent exponent of this school
is Edward Field Sanford, Jr., examples of
whose work range from small animal studies to
monumental statues conceived and executed
in the severe yet beautiful Archaic style.
Mr. Sanford has just finished two colossal
bronze groups for a Doric mausoleum designed
by H. van Buren Magonigle, which have that
heroic simplicity that was the secret of the success
of the Greek sculptors. The first of these groups
is Love and Faith. Love kneels by the side of
Faith, the two entwined by the same piece of
drapery. Around her head are ivy leaves, and
in her hand she holds the dove of Venus. Faith,
seated, wears an elaborately designed diadem
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