Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-10-16
.3fr. Greenough TO Mr.. Livingston.

- FLORENCE, July s. 1882
Hon. Ed;odrd Livingston, Secretary of State
SIR:Your letter Of February 2Sth together withthe
accompanying documents, duly received and have
occupied my attention ill now.
The hope of being found worthy TO execute statue of
Washington for OF the great cities of my country has
been my support through years of solitary study in To-
reign land have looked forward such an honor "a the
reward OF life OF toll and sacrifice. / will not dissemble
the confidence have felt of the support of my own coun-
trymen at some future period, though feared that there
existed among them difdence OF the national capacity
in art which could only be removed by perseverng and
successful demonstration. accept this great opportunity
with surprise, at finding myself so early known, and with
JOY, that am thought worthy OF the task.
propose TO give the statue together with its pedes
tai an elevation OF about twenty five feet from the floor
oil me nan. say d6ouf; for though have fixed ff
teen feet as the height Of the statute ITSELF experiment
alone will enable to decide that of the pedestal
This size without encumberng the hail. will fill the eve
at every part oil the same, and the features will be recog-
nZable even from the door 10 the great entrance To
make the figure less, would be risk the effect of the
whole, by producing diminutive appearance | agree
with you that the square form will be the best for the pc
desta and am confident that the effect of this quadran
gular body will he happier, from its being enclosed by
circular wall Had the cyIindrc form any advantages
(and know of none9 should think it worth while TO
sacrifice them atherthan repeat the form of the hall
in It's embellishments Nature constantly us the ex-
ample OF varying shape which to be embraced toge
Their by the eye am much pleased that Houdon's bust
was mentioned in the resolution, my authority for ea
lures of Washington. have always used il from choice
thank you for the liberty with which you permit to I'M
derstand the directions this point and believe shall
have occasion TO profit by it.
probably eighteen months. The has reiefs will REQUIRE
at least three months in the clay. We will allow three
months for drying the casts and transporting them to the
qnarries The rough hewing and taking off the points
Will require ten months the finishing will consume the
residue of four years.
have been able to avail myself of the experience of
an artist who has executed statue of dimensions similar
TO those have mentioned, and willing TO undertake
tins work Tor the of $4,000, to be paid in annual in
salments OF $4,000 each This little il at all more, han
Canova received for statue of little more than the size of
lie The transport of such of marble and plaster
and the number Of assistants necessary 10 maintain the
proper degree OF moisture in the clay and waste the
less sone render the increase of expense more than pro-
porioned TO the increase OF size.
IL you will permit me, would wish to transmit YOU
from time 10 time, drawings of my compositions for this
work II seems TO me that statue of Washington in that
situation should not be image of the man to graft.
~ curiosity nor vain display Of academic art but an en-
bodyIng Of his spirit The accessories should be slammed
with the character OF institutions They cannot in
sruct, perhaps, but they may impress and confirm. The
historic facts to be recorded the pedestal are of diff
ierent character from the statue regards the art and
think they should be Truth will be INV first object in
these mean by truth, in this connection not all that
was but nothing that was not shall adopt the dress of
the ume and secure as many portraits are preserved
Accept kind sir my earnest thanks for your interest in
my success. Believe that, in exeron will be true TO
my country, and that fully feel that if prove worthy Of
this task, ! shall not have lived in vain
i have the honor 10 be, with respect
Your most obedient servant