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Part of the American
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Sally James Farnham 1869 ~
Sally James Farnham
Sally James Farnham artist and sculptor.
Her father was Colonel Edward C. James; her mother, Sarah
Perkins. Mrs. Farnham is descended from a long line of soldiers
and jurists on one side and sailors on the other. She was born
and reared in Ogdensburg, New York. She gave no indication in
her early youth of the wonderful talent she possessed. She never
received what is ordinarily considered essential to ultimate
success, art education. She was not a student in Paris or Rome
nor did she show any special taste for drawing or for things
artistic during her school days. She was simply a descendant of
a cultured race and lived among people of strong artistic
tendencies; enjoyed the advantage of extensive foreign travel,
becoming familiar with the masterpieces of ancient and modem
sculpture.
Unconscious of possessing any talent in
this line, while convalescing after a severe illness, her
husband brought her some modeling wax, in the hope that it could
help her to while away a period of enforced inactivity. From
this she fashioned a recumbent figure of great beauty and
delicacy, representing Iris, "Goddess of the Rainbow."
This she executed, in the absence
of modeling tools, by the use of the surgical instruments loaned
her by the attending physician and the finished result was most
charming. The fact that this first effort possessed the
technique and finish usually found in the works of the trained
and experienced artists, gave rise to the feeling among those
who saw Mrs. Famham's work that a great future was before her.
Her first portrait work was in bronze, a full length figure.
This was followed by a bust which is a fine example of the
sculptor's skill. Then followed the spirited bronze called
"Cowboy Fun." This group is vibrant with life.
Father Juaneño with Indian boy
The Great Neck Steeple Chase Cup was
modeled by Mrs. Farnham, and is considered one of the most
artistic pieces of this kind ever produced. Mrs. Famham's most
ambitious effort is the soldiers' and sailors' monument in
Ogdensburg her birthplace. Mrs. Famham's work for the government
has met with great praise from artists and laymen. She did the
frieze in the council room of the building of the Pan-American
Republics, at Washington, and also designed the medal which was
given Mr. Carnegie by the government, in appreciation of his
gift of a large sum of money toward this building as a
contribution toward the efforts for peace. There is an
originality in her work which gives it strength and vitality.
Mrs. Farnham is destined to become one of the noted artists and
sculptors in this country.
Women of
America
Source: The Part Taken by Women in
American History, By Mrs. John A. Logan, Published by The Perry-Nalle
Publishing Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1912.
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