74. Ruth. In marble. Henry K. Brown.
"The artist has chosen the moment in which Ruth is addressed by Boaz as she stands among the gleaners. He quoted the lines of Keats in the song of the Nightingale—
'Perchance the self-same song hath found a path
To the sad heart of Ruth, when, sick for home,
She stood in tears amid the alien corn.'
She is not in tears; but her aspect is that of one who listens in sadness; her eyes are cast down, and her thoughts are of the home of her youth in the land of Moab. Over her left arm hangs a handful of the ears of wheat which she has gathered from the ground, and her right rests on the drapery about her bosom. Nothing can be more graceful than her attitude, or more expressive of melancholy sweetness and modesty than her physiognomy."—Extract of a letter by Mr. W. C. Bryant, dated Rome, 1845.
This statue was purchased by Miss Hicks, of New York, and presented to the New York Gallery of Fine Arts.
75. Group of a Boy and Dog; or, Chi Vinci, mangia. In marble. Henry K. Brown.
This playful group was presented to the New York Gallery, by C. M. Leupp, Esq. The boy has left his bowl of milk upon the floor, and the dog is endeavoring to take advantage of his negligence, by appropriating the contents to himself, against which the boy stoutly protests. They are so equally matched in strength, that the struggle is of doubtful issue, and therefore the artist calls it, "Chi Vinci, mangia," or, who wins, eats.
(New York Gallery of Fine Arts, 1858.)
76. Bacchus. In marble.
Presented by Mrs. Howard Townsend Martin, March 13, 1909.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF ARTISTS