ROYALTY'S SCULPTOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2804, 11 December 1907, Page 71

ROYALTY'S SCULPTOR.

Mr George E. Wade the eminent .sculp* tor, who is shortly to visit America, seldom cxhibite work at the Academy, bub specimens of it are to be seen in practically every corner of the Empire, aa ho has executed numerous commissions for members of the Royal Family, and is responsible for statues and monuments in India, South Africa, and the colonies. Among the works he now has in- hand is a colossal figure of the Queen, •which is intended for Hongkong; and there will be another r or the London Hospital. He has made four statues of the King, two of the Duke of Connaught in generals uniform, and is now engaged on a colossal statue of the Prince and Princess of Wale« for Bombay, with Teliefs representing theit visits to India. The Ki"ng was highly delighted with the marble bust vrhich MB Wade executed of the late Duk« of Clar« ence, and was touched by th« sympathetic way in which the sculptor had treated lvi subject. The royal series also includes tf statue of Queen Victoria tor Ceylon, and a statuette of the Duke of Connaugnt, which was presented to the German Em« peror. With one or two exceptions sitting were given for these worke, aa he ha^ always been a favourite wi*Ji the Koyal Family.

— A Chance Discovery.—

Mr Wade is the son of Canon W*de, and was well educated when young 1 , though he did not give early indications of what na» become a ruling passion with him. He was •ookintr forward to a oareer at the BaJf when, by accident, his bent was disclosed. During a holiday in Rome one summer a© made «■ rapid drawing of som« antique statuary, and showed it to a sculptor, who pronounced it exceedingly good ; . but MR Wade found it 'difficult to convince the fe culptor that he had never practised draughtmanship, and that it was the first., drawing he had ever undertaken. He tried his hand on eimilar sketches and took themt to the sculptor, who showed them to other, artiste, and P they urged Mr Wade to .stud* painting, one and all prediotirur *•»*.?* would have a brilliant future. Haying tog covered his talent, he developed it inhi^ own way. Ho did not join the Acadom^ sXollnor work in a sculptor • rtpfto «J Paris. He trained himself solely on thetheory that the spirit must ™"» *° "im,- • and that he must find out for himself tne. method of expressing character in bronze or marble. _________■ -.