The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-10-12

THE ARTs.-The following is an extract from
the New York correspondence of the National
Intelligencer:
| have delicious work for the drawing room
table to-day-the first number of Crawford's Designs
engraved by an Italian, after drawings from the clay
models. These designs in statuary and bas-reef
beautifully copied in outline and the numbers are in
large folio, each containing three Designs price only
seyentyve cents. Subscriptions are received by the
Apollo Association in New York. The descriptive
letter. press is by Mr. Greene, literary Consul at
Rome Mr.. Crawford, it is well known, is the New
York artist, who, with Powers and Clevenger, has
made era in the arts in Italy. letter from
Mr. Greene, published in the Knickerbocker three
years ago, describes him as ga young about TWEEN
tyhve years of age, interesting companion, full of
enthusiasm for his art patient and assiducus in the
cultivation of it, and endowed with energy of
character which has already borne him out through
obstacles of the most depressing nature, and will
eventually (he or later depends upon others,
not upon him) lead him to a very high stand among
| sculptors p"
The letter is addressed to Professor Longfeow,
and, after giving critical account of Mr.. Crawfords
progress and works, Mr. Greene says:
:" know that you will feel as do, and that this
picture Of young !countryman, content to endure
so much in order that he might lay his foundation
deep, by close and unweared study-strong
enough to resist the temptations natural to US
Americans OF rushing upon the stage before we
| are prepared to carry our parts through-wl ava
ken the same feelings in your mind that it has done
in mine. Mr. Crawford has given six years to abo-
rous preparation. 1t but Just that he should be
met upon the threshold by his counrymen. 1t
is their encouragement that he must rely. 1t is to
their applause that he must look" sc.
The first of the drawings in this number is an ex-
quisite embodiment Of the invention of sculpture as
recorded in the pretty story of the potters daughter
of Syclon 1t may awaken interest IN these charm
ing works to copy il given descriptvely of the de-
sign, in Mr. Greene's letter-press:
Z" Dibutades of Sycion had a daughter, who
had set her affections upon young of CO.
rinth, where her father pursuing the trade of
a potter. Some cause, but what not told,
drew the lover away, and the evening that preceded
! his departure passed in the company of his be-
loved The thoughts of two such beings, upon the
point of separation, easily be imagined-he past
and future the tender records, pledges, and vows,
and the long seadlast gaze upon the features which
in few brief hours they were to behold 1t
while thus gazing her lover, with the intensity
of female Affection that the attention of the maiden
was attracted by the outline of his features as
Swallowed by the lamp upon the wall She traced
the profile her father filled up with clay and thus
bias relief owed its origin to that passion whose puri-
ty and lervor it has often and beautifully re-
corded In the bas reliefbefore the artist has al
lowed himself slight variation from the words Of the
legend. The hour desperation would seem to be
The staff and wallet of the young man lie beside
him upon the floor, and all is ready for his departure.
But the fatigue Of preparation has overcome him,
aud he has fallen asleep upon his chair His posture
shows that it is but momenary slumoer for he sits
| as he had stten and talked But his head has sunk
slightly towards his breast his left arm reclnes upon
his knee; his right hangs stlessly the chair,
and his hand still retains, with gentle pressure the
flowers which the gift of his beloved. The
maiden kncels beside him. Neither WEAKNESS nor
! watching have power to weigh down her eyclids
/ and while one hand raises lamp, she traces with
the other the outlines of his features the wall
few articles Of furniture, in which the antique form
is carefully preserved, fill up the scene and give a
/ balance tn connogition