The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-07-22
AMERICAN sCULPToRs IN EUROPE.


AMERICAN SCULPTORS IN EUROPE
A travelling New Yorker, writing from Florence to
the editor of the New York Tribune, takes the follow
ing notice of of our countymeu, who have dis
tinguished themselves by their talent and genius, as
scuptors
The mantle of Michael Angelo seems to have
been waited over to the continent which has de-
rived its from another Forentine 4nerig Yes
pucc Crawford, Powers, Greenougb, Clevenger,
and Others, Command the high admiration Of even
the fasdous Italians, and their genius and skill seem
better appreciated by them than by their own coun-
trymen. Crawford, who will hereafter be med
with Canova and Thorwalsden, is Rome, and Gle
venger has unhappily died with his first ideal work
unfinished but Pouers and Greenough are still in
Florence. In the of the latter is the colo, sal
model OF his Washingt ton, (he original of which is
by this time too familiar 10 you TO need any =
ment,) with many other statues and busts in various
stages of progress, among which is very finely
ceived and executed David, whose counenance and
bearing admirably exprass his modest pride and sub
dued exutaton for the victory over the Philistne,
| upon whose sword he leans.
! Powers has Just finished his Eve She is a perfect
woman, not of the glrish beauty which some might
abstrsctedy prefer but such should be the Mother
! Of Mankind. She stands erect unlike all the We
of antiquity for she feels shame and no ne
cessity for any coDceament. She is gazing al the
apple which she holds in her right hand and seems
10 be dee ply ponderng whether 10 eat Il or not for
| getting that the woman who deberates is ost"-
In her left hand others of the fatal fruit for the
benefit Of her husband when she has yielded to the
suggestions of the Serpent who winds around
stump by her side. You will probably have the
pleasure of seeing It in America either the pro-
perty OF Mr.. Preston, Of South Carolina or as an
attractive and valuable oil ect Of public exhibition -
| An English gentleman has seized upon the sweeiy
| pensiye and gracefully constrained Greek Slave
| OF the same artist Some American should secure
| in time his yet unfinished " Fisher Boy," figure
whose occupation IN shown by the net and tiller in
his right hand while with his left he holds conch-
shell TO his in the superstious belief that IFS
murmurings will foretell TO him any approaching
storm. 1t imbodes very happily the well known
lines Of Wordsworth, which describe
"A curious child, applying to bis ear
The convolut ons o, smoo,h.lipped shell
To which, in silence hushed bis very soul
Listened iniently, and his countenance soon
Frightened with Joy, for murmurings from within
Were hesrd-sonorous cadences-whereby,
To his belief, the monitor expressed
Mysterious union with its native sea"
The grace and beauty Of the composition will pro-
badly attract the taste Of some foreigner and we NAV
be deprived Of its possession, for marble and labor
must be paid for, and artist Is compelled TO sell his
works to the first fair bidder, however ardently be
may desire 10 send them 10 his own country. But
where individual wealth falls short, the combined
public should come forward to supply its DEFICIENCIES
and each contributing his share TO the Of
Public Gallery Of the Fine Arts under whatever
form may be found most efficient in procuring and
preserving the best works of American artists they
would thus give the most powerful assistance 10 the
development and success Of native genius
w. M. G.