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Russell Sturgis

fl. 1872–1884

Architect, active 1872–1884. Lived at Florence.

Life and work

  1. c. 1872
    Gehlen, the wood-carver, testified that Sturgis introduced him to Cesnola and that he was engaged at Fourteenth Street to repair and restore the Cypriote sculptures; Hutchins's testimony prints Cesnola's letter telling him to have 'the German' get his pay for the glue forwarded 'from Mr. Sturgis'. Both Hutchins and Gehlen say the work was directed by Cesnola (Hutchins: 'under the direction and supervision of Di Cesnola'; Gehlen: Cesnola 'designated the parts to be put together'). Neither says Sturgis directed it.

    New YorkThe Feuardent-Cesnola Trial 1883, p. 23

  2. December 1883
    In his printed testimony Cesnola called Sturgis 'one of the trustees in charge of the building arrangement in Fourteenth Street' and 'the man from whom I had to get my orders'; quoted Sturgis as saying of Gehlen 'This is the man I employed to make all repairs that he wants to your statuary'; named Prime, Johnston, Weston, Rhinelander and Hoe, Jr. as other trustees active there; and, asked by jurors, put responsibility for the Hercules and other Fourteenth Street repairs 'to a certain extent' on Sturgis, while accepting responsibility only for Central Park work after he became director. The Tribune of 21 Dec 1883 quoted him: 'Russell Sturgis is mainly responsible for Gehlen's repairs and restorations'. Sturgis, in a letter from Florence published by the Evening Post, called that 'wholly untrue': he had been a trustee and Executive Committee member, had volunteered to superintend alterations to the hired Douglas mansion in West Fourteenth Street, and had conversed with Cesnola as any trustee would, but 'never directed any repairs, nor advised any'; he swore the same before the US consul at Florence. The letter was legally inadmissible.

    New YorkThe End of the… 1884, pp. 96-97

  3. 1883–1884
    NamedNot a party. Named by defendant Cesnola as the trustee who directed Gehlen's restorations; Sturgis denied it in a letter from Florence published by the Evening Post and in a sworn declaration before the US consul there (inadmissible at trial).

    The End of the… 1884, pp. 96-97

Connections

2 people

Colleagues & contacts

Sources

  1. 1. (1883). “The Feuardent-Cesnola Trial”. The Art Amateur 10, 23-24. Online
  2. 2. (1884). “The End of the Feuardent-Cesnola Trial”. The Art Amateur 10, 96-97. Online