“The inauguration of a splendid monument, erected to the memory of
Madame Soyer, whose name is so intimately connected with the genius of
art, took place on Sunday, before a numerous and distinguished party, at
Kensal Green Cemetery. The design, which is quite new, is by M. Soyer,
her husband, and reflects the greatest credit upon that gentleman, who
is so well known from his position at the Reform Club. It consists of a
pedestal, about twelve feet in height, surmounted by a colossal figure
of Faith, with her right hand pointing towards heaven, and the left
supporting a golden cross. At her feet, lightly floating upon clouds,
are two cherubims, the one holding a crown over the head, and the other
presenting a palm to a beautiful medallion of the deceased; the latter
executed in white marble, and surrounded by the emblem of eternity. A
palette and brushes, embellished with a wreath of unfading laurels, is
gracefully placed beneath the medallion. M. Puyenbroaek, of Brussels,
one of the principal sculptors to his Majesty the King of the Belgians,
has added to his fame by this new example of his talent. Although the
figures of the monument are larger than life, so light and elegant is
their construction, that the observer might almost fancy they were
leaving this terrestrial sphere, while the cherubims, poised upon the
ascending clouds, convey such an idea of buoyancy, that one is led to
believe that the heavy and solid stone (like the pure and eternal spirit
of her who sleeps below) had taken its departure from earth, and was
following that shade whose memory it was erected to perpetuate. We are
informed that the palette and brushes, with the laurel and her initials,
were sketched by the lamented artist the morning previous to her death,
she being then in perfect health; while the medallion is from her
portrait by M. Simonau, her father-in-law, and only master.
“Amongst the parties present at the inauguration we perceived the fair
Cerito, bestowing upon the shrine of her sister artist a wreath
_funéraire_, made from a crown placed upon her head in La Scala, at
Milan, before several thousands of her country people. Such feeling
impressed all with the highest respect for that fairy child of
Terpsichore, and deserves a distinguished place in the history of art.
The wreath, together with the palette of the artist, will be placed in a
glass case, and fixed at the back of the pedestal. The inscription upon
the pedestal will be simply the words ‘To Her,’ without any addition
whatever.”--_Morning Post_, 1844.