Capitol District in Richmond, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Edward V. Valentine Sculpture Studio
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 22, 2010
1. The Edward V. Valentine Sculpture Studio Marker
Inscription.
The Edward V. Valentine Sculpture Studio. . Built in the early 1830s as a carriage house and stable at nearby 809 East Leigh Street, this building was purchased by sculptor Edward Valentine in 1871. To bring in the indirect natural lighting favored by artists, he installed a skylight and large window in the north wall, creating the studio in which he would work for nearly forty years., By 1889, Valentine’s success had rendered the space inadequate for his many commissions and assistants, and he built a larger annex for casting and marble carving. The original structure continued to serve as a modeling studio and space where the sculptor received guests, taught students and managed his business affairs., Threatened with demolition after Valentine’s death in 1930, this former carriage house was rescued, dismantled and rebuilt here in 1936. Today it is one of only four nineteenth century sculptors’ studios in the US open to the public, offering a rare opportunity to view a large collection of original artwork within the setting in which it was created, along with the sculptor’s tools and other personal effects. Though the skylight did not survive the studio’s reconstruction, the large window continues to illuminate the extraordinary sculpture of Edward Valentine., (sidebar) , Edward Virginius Valentine, 1838-1930 , In a celebrated fifty year career, Edward V. Valentine produced portrait busts, ideal figures and monumental public sculptures in clay, plaster, marble and bronze. Beginning in 1859, he lived and studied in Germany, France and Italy, working under revered European artists including August Kiss. But it was in Richmond that the sculptor achieved renown, completing numerous private and public commissions between 1865 and 1910., His prolific studio became a popular tourist destination, visited by such luminaries as writer Oscar Wilde and actors Joseph Jefferson and Edwin Booth. Genial and informative, Valentine spoke knowledgeably of his art and of the history of Richmond., In accordance with the final wishes of his older brother, Mann S. Valentine Jr., Edward and his nephews established the Valentine Museum in 1892. From its opening in 1898 until his death in 1930, Edward served as its president. He bequeathed his own sculpture, papers, furniture and memorabilia to the museum, where they may be viewed by visitors and scholars today
Built in the early 1830s as a carriage house and stable at nearby 809 East Leigh Street, this building was purchased by sculptor Edward Valentine in 1871. To bring in the indirect natural lighting favored by artists, he installed a skylight and large window in the north wall, creating the studio in which he would work for nearly forty years.
By 1889, Valentine’s success had rendered the space inadequate for his many commissions and assistants, and he built a larger annex for casting and marble carving. The original structure continued to serve as a modeling studio and space where the sculptor received guests, taught students and managed his business affairs.
Threatened with demolition after Valentine’s death in 1930, this former carriage house was rescued, dismantled and rebuilt here in 1936. Today it is one of only four nineteenth century sculptors’ studios in the US open to the public, offering a rare opportunity to view a large collection of original artwork within the setting in which it was created, along with the sculptor’s tools and other personal effects. Though the skylight did not survive the studio’s reconstruction, the large window continues to illuminate the extraordinary sculpture of Edward Valentine.
(sidebar) Edward Virginius Valentine, 1838-1930
In a celebrated
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fifty year career, Edward V. Valentine produced portrait busts, ideal figures and monumental public sculptures in clay, plaster, marble and bronze. Beginning in 1859, he lived and studied in Germany, France and Italy, working under revered European artists including August Kiss. But it was in Richmond that the sculptor achieved renown, completing numerous private and public commissions between 1865 and 1910.
His prolific studio became a popular tourist destination, visited by such luminaries as writer Oscar Wilde and actors Joseph Jefferson and Edwin Booth. Genial and informative, Valentine spoke knowledgeably of his art and of the history of Richmond.
In accordance with the final wishes of his older brother, Mann S. Valentine Jr., Edward and his nephews established the Valentine Museum in 1892. From its opening in 1898 until his death in 1930, Edward served as its president. He bequeathed his own sculpture, papers, furniture and memorabilia to the museum, where they may be viewed by visitors and scholars today
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.
Location. 37° 32.48′ N, 77° 25.874′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Virginia. It is in the Capitol District. Marker can be reached from East Clay Street
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 22, 2010
2. The Edward V. Valentine Sculpture Studio
near North 10th Street. This marker is located in the Courtyard of The Valentine Richmond History Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1015 East Clay Street, Richmond VA 23219, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. On the center left is a photograph of, "Valentine's studio at Leigh Street, ca. 1890. Shuttered buildings in background is 1889 annex." Also on the center left is a photograph of "Edward V. Valentine, 1872." On the center right is a photograph of, "The artists inside his studio, with busts of Jefferson Davis on modeling stand, ca. 1910."
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 22, 2010
3. Marker Photo Panel
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 22, 2010
4. Edward V. Valentine Sculpture Studio (interior)
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 22, 2010
5. Thomas Jefferson and Edgar Allen Poe
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 22, 2010
6. Recumbent Lee
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 22, 2010
7. J.E.B Stuart
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 22, 2010
8. "Stonewall" Jackson
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 22, 2010
9. Robert E, Lee
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, April 22, 2010
10. The Valentine Courtyard
Photographed By Southern Bargain House, Richmond, Va.
11. Valentine's Studio, (No. 809 E. Leigh St.), Richmond, Va.
Edward V. Valentine, the celebrated sculptor, of whom Virginia is so justly proud, is here shown in his studio, surrounded by models, casts, art works, etc. The bust in the foreground is a study of Robt. E. Lee, executed in connection with the statute which Mr. Valentine designed for placement in 'Statuary Hall' at Washington. Here have been designed the incomparable recumbent statue of Lee, at Lexington, the statue of Jefferson, in the hotel of that name, and of Jefferson Davis on Monument Ave., as well as other noted works of art too numerous to mention here. VCU Libraries Digital Collections - Rarely Seen Richmond
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,116 times since then and 630 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on April 23, 2010, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.