International studio (58.1916)

A Painter-Etcher: Thomas R. Congdon

tion of connoisseurs as evidenced by the fact that
it was immediately acquired by the French Gov-
ernment for the Musee du Luxembourg, a rare
compliment to a living American artist.
In his plate Fontaine de Carpeaux, in the
Luxembourg Garden, the sculptor’s conception
has been well rendered. We notice in the sym-
bols of the great nations upholding the universe
that the etcher, by chance or design, has placed
the nude female figure and the Indian, that is to
say, France and America, in the front, whilst
hidden from view at the back are England and
Germany, apparently striving for a place in the
sun. This etching is also owned by the Luxem-
bourg gallery. An exquisitely artistic rendering
of the Luxembourg Garden reacts upon all who
have felt the charm and repose of Paris in this
wonderful oasis. This etching was purchased
from the Salon by Baron Edmond de Rothschild
also by the United States Government for the
Congressional Library.
A good example of aquatint is seen in Factories
on the Thames where light and shade are poetic-
ally contrasted in well-drawn line work.
Amongst other interesting plates that testify
to Congdon’s abilities along the bitten line may
be mentioned his London Types and Embank-
ment; Battersea Bridge; Old English Court; Bridge
of Sighs; Saint-Jean-du-Doigt (Finisterre); and a
plate catalogued as The Last Kiss of the Sun.

THE SHAKESPEARE BY PARTRIDGE
(PAGE XLI)
William Ordway Partridge went to England
to make a study of Shakespeare, before beginning
the statue. Henry Irving introduced him to Sey-
more Lucas, who later designed the costume used
for this statue, the costume being made by Mr.
Irving’s costumer. Mr. Lucas claimed that it is
the first accurate costume made for any statue of
Shakespeare. The time of life at which he is rep-
resented is the period of James I, rather than the
Elizabethan period, which was fifteen or twenty
years before Shakespeare died. The site chosen is
near the green-houses, surrounded by flowers where
Shakespeare is represented sitting in his garden,
at his ease, with a book in one hand, as if reading,
his face turned toward the sunset.
There is a place left on the statue for two bas-
reliefs, one of Henry Irving, and one of Edwin
Booth.

Owned by the Petit Palais
FACTORIES ON THE THAMES BY THOMAS R. CONGDON


Owned by the Musle de Luxembourg
FONTAINE DE CARPEAUX BY THOMAS R. CONGDON


XLVIII