Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-01-03
POWERS, THE SCULPTOR.


The following interesting notice of PowERs the
gifted American Sculptor In Italy, is quoted
by the LOndon Attensam from Mrs. Troope's re-
cent Tour in Italy,
Rather more than ten years ago be-
came acquainted in Cincinnati, in Ohio,
with q young man by the name of Powers:
he was at that time an assistant to a Mons.
Dorieullle, the ingenious proprietor of
whimsical museum III which curious OBJ
jects of Natural history, North American
antiquities, and historical groups Of wax
figures, were blended, and daily exhibited,
for the amusement and edifcation of the
beau n10nIe OF the western metropolis. The
wax figures were moulded, or at any rate
finished, by this young Mr.. Powers; and
there was degree Of talent displayed in
this. that struck US all very forcibIy, as
being something greatly out Of the common
way. Encouraged, perhaps, by the OPT
Mons expressed by the European party,
Of his skill in modelling, he undertook a
bust in such clay as he could find, and pro-
duced what struck US all as the most won
dcrtully-perect likeness we had ever seen.
Bat we moved on, and heard 10 more of
him. A few days after we arrived in Flo
renee, we were invited to visit the studies
Of some Of the most distinguished artisans
at present working there. 4 young Ame-
rican, called Powers, was among the names
first mentioned, and the instant | heard the
name, felt not the slightest doubt that by
going to his studio should meet an old ac-
quaintance, Nor was | disappointed. There
indeed | found the highly gifted Hiram
Powers, fully emerged from the boyish
chrysalis state in which had last seen him,
into full-fedged and acknowledged man
of genius, in high fashion, overwhelmed
with orders from wealthy patrons from all
quarters Of the globe, and with his room
filled with admirable busts, all of them with
more of that magical air of life about them,
which we see and feel in the works of the
ancient sculptors, than any collection of
modern marbles that have ever visited
His busts are lile-like to degree that made
me look at him with wonder. When we
left him at Cincinnati he was q lad that had
seen nothing Of any art but the art Divine
which had formed the living creatures
around him; and nothing but that intuitive
faculty without which, | presume, genius
cannot exist, could have hurried him for
ward to the place he now holds among the
living artists. Having examined all he had
10 show me, with equal surprise and plea
sure, venlurcd to ask him if he had never
tried his hand upon any ideal work. "In
marble!' he replied. YES" said |,
"some group, not merely consisting Of a
portrait, bat something imaginative" He
shook his head. Il am married, and have
two children" he said. :" For busts have
rs many orders as | can execute: must
not risk the loss of this lucrative business,
in order TO indulge myself in works of ina
ginatlon, II my success continue, ] NAV,
perhaps. in time, venture to attempt some
thing of the kind But | cannot afford it
yet" /" But do you not sometimes ina
CINE compositions?" said |. "Do YOU not
fancy things thatyo wouldlike TO executed"
" Why, yes" he replied, smiling, u GER
tainly have lancied things should like 10
execute, and will show you one of them"
He then led the way to another room, and
there, behind screen, was figure noun
ted on pedestal, and | saw at once that
it was full-length as large as life. though
it was yelled from head 10 foot with cloth.
Here" said he, pausing before he unco-
vera1 T, 81 IS \ figure in clay. on which |