Mobile register and journal., 1845-08-28

POWERS, THE SCULPTOR. An account o Thorw alsden's visit to the studio of our country man, Powers al Florence, IS given in the last num- Der oft the American Review. The writer of the article in which the account is included gives It u the words oi Powers himself
 ''Just before the clay model of Eve was done, received the honor of a visit from the great Thor. walsden. He was passing through Florence journey to Rome. He had but short time spend and this he wished 10 pass with his friends, but be- ing strongly urged by gentleman who had heen often al my studio, he consented 10 drop in fer a moment. The first intinaiion had of his visit was from se''"Ht, who came hastily into my studio and announced that 1h0rwalsden at the door and begged permission to come in This was a try Iag moment-l could bear the gaze and criticism oi others with composure, but to pass the scrutiny of such a man, for whom l had a greater vener;i- tion than for any artist living, il was no common ordeal.
 "Presenty he came numbering in-the Patriarch of Sculptors! His air confident, hut not haueh. ty-his chest large, his head grand and square, but he had look of great benevolence and intelligence His long grey locks floating loosely over his shoulders, and his walk was full of majesty and simplicity. lie was the very man 1 should have la ken Tor lhorwalsden, had meet him on the desert. had never seen any likeness ol hni but had pic. tured just such a man.
 "He uncovered his head and bowed in the mos, respectful manner, and only put his Ina, after my repeated solicitations. He sad he was very sorry to disturb me, for he found me at work replied. of course as an humble disciple in the art might; but what l said on that occasion is d matter of liule importance. lie cast the studio, and the first thing that seemed to arrest his attention was d burst ot Mr. w Webser. He examined it with great aitentlon, and as he dd SO he stood back il few steps from il. and again taking off his hat, he decaredswh surprise, l never saw so grand il head before, a greater compliment to he orator. as was right, than to tie artist for there IS nothing of mine about it. He then stood before general Jackson, which bust he regarded with much attention and satisfaction, apparently, as Webster's Aiier exam iang most of the busts, l took him hehmd the screen to see the Eve. lie examined il very a,ien. lively, and turned il round several times on inc rol. lers. upon which all statues, when modelling, are placed, to be made to turn easily. W ithoul saving 'hy your leave, sr, he took large piece of clay from q portion oi the hair with his ingers 'now i see the flesh under i, and Can tracea connection of the parts of the shouders.' He touched the haIr in another place; and get the glimpse ol this con tour,' pointing it out. Then coming down he made mark on of the knees; this movement should be little more pronounced.' He then appeared tp have dune. Iod him should always feel grateful for his criticism, and begged he would speak freely, and never perhaps felt more inwardy de. sire than now felt to have him go on I have pointed out all that seemed to me to detract from your statue-i can see nothing else. .'-When he was about leaving, told him l expected 10 come 10 Rome during the winter, and shosld esteem it a great honor If could be allowed 10 take his bust He kindly condescended 10 say, he would do So with uneigned satisfaction. He then expressed ,ery warmly the pleasure and surprise he had fell during his visit, and wishing me all he success desired he very cordially pressed my hand and look his leave.
 have heard this visit related by friend, who heard minute account of from the gentleman who accompanied Thorwalsden on the occasion, Mir Powers has, m this conversation, withheld the most interesting part of the story. I am informed (rom the source above alluded to) that Th0rwasden felt reluctant to go to Powers studio only because he was pressed Tor time; and he gave up an important visit in o-der 10 make this. He had great desire 10 see the works Of artist who was already ecliDs ing most sculptors ot his tune. During the inter. view, which lasted much longer than he intended he expressed the warmest admiration of all Powers works. But when he drove off in his carri,ge h. exclaimed with the greatest earnestness-.sI can, make such busts, and never saw a man that co,Id nor do I believe he ever had equal in tn denart ment of the art. l esteem Mir. Powers moi oulv in. first sculptor of his age but the greatest since Mich. aei Angelo. He will form school of his own which will be a new era in art" These sentiments he of. ten expressed afterwards several occasions par. tcularly in Rome, where he often made use of the singular declaration, that 'sMr Powers was wthou, rival in modern times, except Michael Angelo that ancient modern of any age, had ever made such busts; and he believed he would he equa!l, great in any branch of sculpture"
 When Powers raised the curtain that covered the Eve, he felt that in justice to himself he ought tt say that this was his first attempt at a statue, ane t was not yet finished. ThorwaIsden replied- "You say, sir, it is your first statu .e-.any olbo, wa9 might be proud of j. as bis last"