In the midst of all this fatiguing luxury, Maria Cosway lost her health and passed several years travelling in Europe.  Returning to London, she was again prostrated by the death of her only daughter.  She then went to Lodi, near Milan, where she founded a college for the education of girls.  She spent much time in Lodi, and after the death of her husband established herself there permanently.  A goodly circle of friends gathered about her, and she found occupation and solace for her griefs in the oversight of her college.

She continued her painting and the exhibition of her pictures at the Royal Academy.  She made illustrations for the works of Virgil, Homer, Spenser, and other poets, and painted portraits of interesting and distinguished persons, among whom were Mme. Le Brun and Mme. Recamier.  The life and work of Maria Cosway afford a striking contradiction of the theory that wealth and luxury induce idleness and dull the powers of their possessors.  Hers is but one of the many cases in which a woman’s a woman “for a’ that.”

At an art sale in London in 1901, an engraving by V. Green after Mrs. Cosway’s portrait of herself, first state, brought $1,300, and a second one $200 less.

COUDERT, AMALIA KUeSSNER. Born in Terre Haute, Indiana.  This distinguished miniaturist writes me that she “never studied.”  Like Topsy, she must have “growed.”  By whatever method they are produced or by whatever means the artist in her has been evolved, her pictures would seem to prove that study of a most intelligent order has done its part in her development.

She has executed miniature portraits of the Czar and Czarina of Russia, the Grand Duchess Vladimir, King Edward VII., the late Cecil Rhodes, many English ladies of rank, and a great number of the beautiful and fashionable women of America.

COUTAN-MONTORGUEIL, MME. LAURE MARTIN. Honorable mention, Salon des Artistes Francais, 1894.  Born at Dun-sur-Auron, Cher.  Pupil of Alfred Boucher.

This sculptor has executed the monument to Andre Gill, Pere Lachaise; that of the Poet Moreau, in the cemetery Montparnasse; bust of Taglioni, in the foyer of the Grand Opera House, Paris; bust of the astronomer Leverrier, at the Institute, Paris; a statue, “The Spring,” Museum of Bourges; “Sirius,” in the Palais of the Governor of Algiers.  Also busts of Prince Napoleon, General Boulanger, the Countess de Choiseul, the Countess de Vogue, and numerous statuettes and other compositions.

At the Salon, Artistes Francais, 1903, she exhibited “Fortune” and “A Statuette.”

COWLES, GENEVIEVE ALMEDA. Member of the Woman’s Art Club, New York; Club of Women Art Workers, New York; and the Paint and Clay Club of New Haven.  Born in Farmington, Connecticut, 1871.  Pupil of Robert Brandagee; of the Cowles Art School, Boston; and of Professor Niemeyer at the Yale Art School.

Together with her twin sister, Maud, this artist has illustrated various magazine articles.  Also several books, among which are “The House of the Seven Gables,” “Old Virginia,” etc.