The native American., 1840-09-12
sCULPToRs AND SCULPTURE.

IN asmall work, recently published in
the Harpers' Family Library, it is assert
ed by Mr.. b. Losing, the compiIer who
does not seem to have been particularly
coversant with the subject which he has
attempted 10 consider, that but little atten-
ton has been paid to Sculpture us an art
in this country. The Intelligent reader
need hardly be informed that such is not
the fact. When we reflect upon the scant
encouragement which the Fine Arts have
received in this country. we are truly
surprised that their most difficult branch
should have been so frequently and so
successfully cultivated. There are at
least half a-dozen Sculptors of good re-
nown, of whom America can boast-and
this is quite as many as can be claimed
by any other country at the present day.
Mr.. Powers of Cincinnati and Mr..
Greenough of Boston, have attained to a
skill in the art of Plastic, quite equal, if
not superior to that of any master of
whom modern Italy can boast. Mr..
Greenough was first made favorably
known to his countrymen by two groups
and aslngle statue in marble, which were
exhibited in Boston; and, if we mistake
not, in some more southern cities! The
groups were two, designated as the Chant
ing Cherubs and the Angel and Child.
The latter to our view was the most pleas
ing. 1t represented an angel child
leading mortal infant up to Heaven.
The power of the work was indicated in
the imparting Of spirituality Of form and
expression to the former, which the latter
was yet too earthly to put on. Tbe sub
ject though not great one, was one
which touched the natural effections, eli
cited the finest sympathies and suggested
elevating thoughts to the mind. The
single statue was the. Medora of Lord
Byron's Corsair. We were not so fortl-
nate as to see it; it displayed, we were
told, "the rapture of repose."
To the country at large this native ar
tist is best known, from his having, been
recently employed in the sculpture of
flll-length statue Of Washington, to be
placed in the rotunda of the Capitol.
Letters from abroad that have given
description of the design and execution
of this laborious performance, have been
unsatisfactory. With us, no impression
remains of what the statue is to he-we
hope from our souls, that it may he wor
THY of the illustrious subject, and not dis
appoint the expectations of those who
may think that the twenty thousand dol
lars appropriated for tile object was
mighty sum.
Mr.. Powers, who has been for two
years past resident i'll Italy, has acquired
pretty much all of his present high repu.
tation during that period Of time. He is
said to be possessed of superior genius to
his Boston predecessor and rival, Green
ough has been abroad in the same inspir-
ing cline, for much longer period,)
though he may not yet have afforded to
mankind any works from which lis fame
may be said to have sprung. Indeed, We
are not aware that the chisel of this ar,
tlst has heWn aiiy marble into imagina
tive forms, or that he has copied, even in
model clay, either of the sublime achieve
ments ot antiquity.
He is known from the wonderful fidel-
lty and expressiveness of his bustS. They
are said to be not only exact likcnesses, but
to be animated with an idealily and spirit,
that warm the marble into life, which
asks nothing but color and motion to