Sappho

A Statue—in African Marble—By Elie Nadelman

THE genius of Elie Nadelman has never been more in evidence than in this neo-classic masterpiece, the latest work to issue from his studio. The statuette is only twenty-five inches high. The marble itself is of the most enchanting quality, ivory toned, highly polished, warm in color, and well nigh transparent in texture. It would almost seem as if the sculptor, in carving his marble, had had in mind the poen by Swinburne in which he describes a meeting between Sappho, Aphrodite and the nine Muses. In the poem—"Sapphics," it is called— he speaks of the glory of Sappho's singing. "Laurel by laurel," he says, as Sappho continued to recite her verses to the marveling and admiring group around her—"Faded all their crowns; but about her forehead, Round her woven tresses and ashen temples, White as dead snow, paler than grass in summer, Ravaged with kisses Shone a light of fire as a crown forever. Yea almost the implacable Aphrodite paused, And almost wept: such a song was that song: Yea, by her name, too, Called her, saying, "Turn to me, O my Sappho'."