"The painting belongs to Congress, having been purchased from the artist for $15,000. As you face the picture the portraits of two hundred and fifty-eight men and women, who, twenty-six years ago, were part and parcel of the legislative, executive, judicial, social, and journalistic life of Washington, look straight at you as if they were still living and breathing things, as, indeed, many of them are. As a work of art the picture is unique, for each face is so turned that the features can easily be studied, and the likenesses of nearly all are so faithful as to be a source of constant wonder and delight."—David S. Barry, in Pearson's Magazine.
Fauveau, Félicie de. Second-class medal at Florence in 1827, when she made her début by exhibiting a statue, "The Abbot," and a group, "Queen Christine and Monaldeschi." Born in Florence, of French parents, about 1802. For political reasons she was forced to leave Florence about 1834, when she went to Belgium, but later returned to her native city.
Among her best works are "St. George and the Dragon," bronze; the "Martyrdom of St. Dorothea," "Judith with the Head of Holofernes," "St. Genoveva," marble, and a monument to Dante.
Her works display a wonderful skill in the use of drapery and a purity of taste in composition. She handled successfully the exceedingly difficult subject, a "Scene between Paolo and Francesca da Rimini."
Faux-Froidure, Mme. Eugénie Juliette. Honorable mention at Salon, 1898; the same at the Paris Exposition, 1900; third-class medal at Salon, 1903; first prize of the Union of Women Painters and Sculptors, 1902; chevalier of the Order Nichan Iftikar; Officer of Public Instruction. Member of the Association of Baron Taylor, of the Société des Artistes Français, of the Union of Women Painters and Sculptors, and of the Association of Professors of Design of the City of Paris. Born at Noyen (Sarthe). Pupil of P. V. Galland, Albert Maignan, and G. Saintpierre.
Mme. Faux-Froidure's pictures are principally of fruit and flowers, and three have been purchased by the Government. One, "Raisins" (Grapes), is in the Museum at Commerey; a second, "Hortensias" (Hydrangeas), is in the Museum of Mans; the third, which was in the Salon of 1903, has not yet been placed. In 1899 she exhibited a large water-color called "La Barque fleurie," which was much admired and was reproduced in "L'Illustration." Her water-color of "Clematis and Virginia Creeper" is in the Museum at Tunis. In the summer exhibition of 1903, at Évreux, this artist's "Peonies" and "Iris" were delightfully painted—full of freshness and brilliancy, such as would be the despair of a less skilful hand.
At the Limoges Exposition, May to November, 1903, Mme. Faux-Froidure was announced as hors concours in water-colors.
La Société Français des Amis des Arts purchased from the Salon, 1903, two water-colors by Mme. Faux-Froidure—"Roses" and "Loose Flowers," or "Jonchée fleurie."