Anecdotes of Painters, Engravers, Sculptors and Architects, and Curiosities of Art (Vol. 1 of 3)Spooner, Shearjashub
History
Anecdotes of Painters, Engravers, Sculptors and Architects, and Curiosities of Art (Vol. 1 of 3)
Spooner, Shearjashub
Art -- Anecdotes; Artists -- Anecdotes
No one who was ever acquainted with the subject of this notice, but
must feel sincere regret, also, that so fair and amiable a
character was not soothed in his latter years with all the ease and
comfort of mind and body that the world could bestow, which thus
far has been seldom if ever the lot of his profession in our
country. How many there are who have not undergone half the
fatigue, physical or mental, endured by Mr. Allston--not to mention
the far greater amount of time and money expended in the
acquisition of his profession than in most other pursuits--yet have
secured to themselves the means to reach the decline of life in a
condition to assure ease and comfort. Such is the unequal
compensation of the world.
When I look back some five or six-and-thirty years, when we were
both in Rome, and next-door neighbors on the _Trinita del Monte_,
and in the spring of life, full of enthusiasm for our art, and
fancying fair prospects awaiting us in after years--and few
certainly had more right than my worthy colleague to look towards
such a futurity--it is painful to reflect how far these hopes have
been from being realized. Such may be the lot of a great many;
still we may believe and hope that so melancholy an example rarely
occurs.
J. VANDERLYN.”
The Art-Union of New-York have struck a commemorative medal, with
Allston’s face on the obverse side; and thus is the great artist
rewarded.
Genius, that breaks the fetters encircling the mind, is fated to drink
life’s bitterest cup to the dregs. After earth has flung the gem away,
she proclaims its value.
Reformers must be martyrs. Every Socrates must quaff his hemlock--every
Burns pine in unpitied poverty. In life, the artist appears on the
reverse side of the world’s medal--in death, on the obverse.”--_Dewey
Fay._
AMERICAN PATRONAGE AT HOME AND ABROAD.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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