The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-02-04
POWERS TIE SCULPTOR.
BY Il. II. WILDE.

To the Editor Of KnickcrbocLer Magazine!
Sin: send YOU the translation Of an article from
the GiDrnolc .aTcQdicO of Rome in relation TO
our countrymcn Powers. The author, Signor Mig
lurni, is superintendent Of the magnificent coec-
ton nf ancient gems, coins and medals, belonging
TO the Grand Duke Of Tuscany, post not only IN
high trust, but requiring the most extensive and
intimate knowledge Of art and antiquity. 10 the
proiound learning and fine taste Of Signor NlgIlar
mi, every one capable of approaching them will
bear witness, if they have the pleasure of iornin.
his acquaintance, or even of awaiting themselves o!
the special permission required to visit The inrsll'n-
able cabinet entrusted to his charge. Himself an
artist in his youth, he was while pursuing MS stud
les ut Rome, the companion Of Cocrdgc and A.
les,ou, the latter Of whom will doubtless bear WIN
pleasure that his old associate inquiries after HIM
from every American with all the in,eres, Of early
friendship Eyen the ceasure Of such man would
be more valuable than the lavish and undistnguisil-
ing praise Of shallow and pnskilu observers, since
ne certainly would no, condesrend 10 crilicise the
works Of any artist destitute of merit. Ills warm
and discriminating appreciation Of one beloved and
admired for private worth MS much as for profess
sionnl excellence, must be hailed with honest cx-
ul,a,ion BY every American, as proof that our
country isadvanciny IN the a'ts that sO0he, sweet
en- aud eubelisl life. Making it within the reach
Of those who do not read Italian, was therefore at
once duty Of fiendshp and patriotism, the more
imperative, since an attempt has been made TO I'M
derpalue Powers as n sculptor. Among us there is
no need 10 stir the fires Of avnrice aInbiilon, or
par,y-spl ;,bey burn with at least sufficient fierce
ness. But every spark ef genius exhibited in the
beautiful creations Of the mind should be carefully
famed and cherished. that we may thus not only
multiply the ratioaa and inGcont onjoymen'E OF civ
iliza,On, hu, leave something 10 poscriy by which
your age may he embraced.
If f,iI in according to our artists due praise,
&! is often because our commentator is misdirec
ted and excessive, the result of inexpeience and
national vanity, while any deficiency Of patronage
is TO he attributed to the haste, impotence and i'll
stability Of our busness-like existence, where eve
~ one is anticipating future period of ense and
nfuence but for the present, so engrossIng and so
expensive are diess, cqnipagc and entertainments,
have no time and 10 capital 10 spare. Yet our want
Of discrimination ~ at least as remarkable as any
thing else. Thus, for example, our government
have employed foreign artists O! little reputation to
the exclusion Of our own, 10 reality for their supe-
riurs; and the supposed advantage of cheap ltera-
ture, but in truth the interest Of few philosophers
who live by literary piracy, is considered n suiii-
cient objection to international copyright.
Now so fir as sculptor is concerned, it would
clear tl1t QUE OI Two SnOuIu ne uuOD-
ted. If we design to ornament our capital with
the finest specimens money can con,mand we ought
to 20 to masters Of acknowledged excellence. TO
Thorwalsdcn, for instance. and TO Barolln Ia
doing this, however we should give 10 proof of onr
own rapaci,y as people for the fine rls,and leave
behind Us no monuments Of progress in them. |,
would be evidence Of nothing but that the Amer
lean Government, having so much money to expend
en- siatuary. had sense and taste enough TO choose
some one capable Of executing their commission
But by employing the best native sculp.ors even
supposing Them inferior 10 those already named, we
should at least ev,nec The position Of some origin
nj genius among ourselves while every statute thus
erected by national patronage would become a
landmark in the history Of art, Less than half the
orders of congress has been gwen to our ownGree-
nough, Of whom we may justly be proud, and moi
TO Powers, Crawford, or Cleyinger, whose works
beside much intrinsic merit, would possess inper-
jshable historic interest. We are in the infancy Of
art The men who now occupy the Geld can new
or be forgotten; and in the view Of the subject, as
p citizen of the New World. not insensiblc to the
wonders Of the Old, would rather see III our cap