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2 corrections, most recently by djbcjk - Show corrections

NEWS of

DORA OHLFSEN

Miss Dora Ohlfsen, the well-known Australian sculptor, is now in Rome.

Miss Mary Jay, of Sydney, visited her recently, and sends some interesting news of Miss Ohlfsen's life and work there.

THE holy seasons of Lent and Easter

have passed, but artistic Rome is very much alive, for artists from afar are here and giving of their work. Aus- tralia does not seem so very far away, and is maintaining her reputation in

this artistic centre.

Dora Ohlfsen is one of the well-known artists here, and Australia has a right to be proud of her. She is well estab- lished in Rome, and appreciated.

I often visit her studio, next door to the famous Beda College, in the Via S. Nicola da Tolentino.

When I saw Dora first she was in a   happy frame of mind and feeling, serene and well content—a look as of something accomplished, something done, was in her beautiful dark eyes. I discovered that her last "child" had just been taken away from the studio—a life- size portrait in relief of the late Duca d'Aosta, cousin of the King, and Com- mander-in-Chief of the Army, who died last year.

There is a dispute going on as to where this portrait shall be housed. At present it is on view in the War Office. It is also wanted for the Stadium, where the Olympic Games were held; but his own quarters, in Naples, wish for it,

too.

Italian Memorial

Dora Ohlfsen is known best in Italy on account of the beautiful war memorial to the Italian fallen, "Sacri- fice" is in Formea, a province of Rome. If she never did anything else than this great monument, "Sacrifice," her memory will live as a great sculptor.

When I saw part of the really great

MISS DORA OHLFSEN

piece of work on her studio wall I won- dered why Dora Ohlfsen's "Greek Chariot Race" was not in the Sydney Art Gallery, where it belongs, and for which it was commissioned. The mo- tion of the horses, the frantic efforts, the breathless speed of the noble ani- mals, and the gallant poise of the superb driver, are magnificently carried out.

I wander round this entrancing studio, admiring and asking questions. There are models of fountains, garden sculp- tures; the head of Dionysos in grey stone; "Primavera," in lovely pink marble, for which a famous Roman lady posed; "The Marchesa di Seta," and the dear "Guardian Angel," in pink stone, most delicate and rare.

Dora Ohlfsen has dedicated three years of patient study to mural decora- tion to discover the secret of the wall paintings in Pompeii. The result of her study is shown in a mural painting of her favorite "St. Anthony of Padua" with Australian flowers, and featuring the waratah, most immaculate of flowers. She is now working on a "St. Francis of Assisi" with Australian birds—her coloring is a great achieve-

ment.

I could hardly leave the studio and not take away a life-size bust in white marble of the late Nellie Stewart so true to life. It ought to be in Sydney in the vestibule of our best theatre.

A portrait of Mussolini, for which he sat a few tîmes, fascinated me. There were other things that held me there and yet I had to go!

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