Edward Virginius Valentine

Edward Virginius Valentine was an American sculptor from Richmond, Virginia.

Early life and education

Edward Virginius Valentine was born on November 12, 1838, in Richmond, Virginia, to Elizabeth and Mann Satterwhite Valentine. In 1853, he attended the Exhibition of the Industry of All Nations in New York City and he saw the August Kiss's Amazon Attacked by a Panther sculpture exhibited. The sculpture influenced Valentine to pursue a career in drawing and modeling. At the age of 18, he attended the Medical College of Virginia and he took anatomical studies and drew for plastic casts. In September 1859, he sailed to Europe. He studied in Paris with Thomas Couture and François Jouffroy, in Florence, Italy, under Bonanti, and with August Kiss in Berlin. He received a Doctor of Laws from Washington and Lee University.

In 1865, Valentine returned to Richmond and opened a studio.
He briefly headed the Valentine Richmond History Center, which was founded by his brother, Mann S. Valentine Jr. The Wickham-Valentine House, part of the Valentine Museum in Richmond is on the National Register of Historic Places and was named for him and his brother.

Valentine married Alice Churchill Robinson on November 12, 1872. She died in 1883. He married Katherine Cole Mayo in 1892. She died in 1927. They had no children. Valentine was friends with French artist Charles Hoffbauer.
Valentine died on October 19, 1930, at his home in Richmond, Virginia. He was buried at Hollywood Cemetery.