The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1845-10-29
THE Ivory Christ.

This beautiful statuette, brought to this coun.
try, by Mr.. Lester, and now on exhibition at 247
Broadway, has not been oyer-praised by The crl-
tics. Indeed no words can do adequate Justice
to this exquisite delIneatlon of the human figure,
and the profound beauty and sorrow depicted in
the face of the divine sufferer. 1t is truly no
BILE and god-ljke conception-an embodiment OF
heavenly beauty, which is not often youchsafed
to the sons of men, not even IN the dreams OF
poets. The accuracy of the figure, the harmu-
ny of all the parts, from the noble brow, which
consents to death, yet conquers agony to the
feet, which seem to shrink from the piercing
nails, are truly wonderful. The artist was in
spired by his theme, and has impaired his insp-
ration to every lineament of his holy subject
We hope all the world may see 1t, and listen to
this silent and eloquent preaching of the cross,
BY the way, it would be good movement on
The part of the proprietor TO change the place of
Exhibition to some more accessible place. People
will not take too much trouble to visit even the sta
tue of the Holy Son of God. 1t must be brought
dorm to the first floor; or multitudes will neglect
to sec it.
The above notice, which we take from the N
Y. Mirror, is of an ivory image of our Savior OF
the cross, found under singular circumstances by
C. Edward Lester, our Minister at Genoa, Mr.
Lester one day rambling on the suburbs of tha
city, saw this image in cell of monk, and be
ing struck with its beauty made an eHdeavor tc
get into his cell, but was repulsed by strange
looking man of wild haggard countenance, ant
great intellectual developments. After mucl
enueaty, he at last got admittance, and there be
held with wonder and delight the creation of tht
monks frenzied brain, the ivory image of Christ
The tale told Mr.. Lester by the monk was ful
ofromantic interest. He found by accident tn
piece of ivory, which was the tusk of some grea
antediluvian monster, and conceiving that it wa
thrown in his way by the blessed Virgin for th
purpose of having the most perfect image of he
dying Son made that ever come from artists CHI
sci. Without any knowledge of Sculpture, til
monk undertook the task, and on it he worke
day and night for many long years, often in
state of starvation. In dreams the Virgin show
ed him how her Son appeared in his mortal az
Iony, and the fevered heart of the monk convey
ed the expression to his ivory. But the tale is
ong one, and we will only say that by cntreaty
and other means used, MIR, Lester became th
possessor of the image. He sent it TO FIorenc,
and the American sculptor, Mr.. Powers, declare
it to be chefd' oupre of art, and altogether tn
most perfect piece of sculpture of ivory in til
world, The longer he looked on it the moi
wonderful it appeared, and coming too from OF
who never attempted before the art of statuar
it struck all The celebrated artists of FIorcnC
and Rome with wonder and amazement. II
features were remarkable, and the most perfe
: ideal Of the finest Imagination, the artists sal
could not be more striking, true or beautiful
Mr.. Lester has brought the Image TO this cou
try, and we only fear that instead of being adm
red as work of art, it may chance to get in
the hands Of those who will, in consequence
its singular history, elevate it to position Ii
will cause many, too many, to break the scco
: commandment.
ri e.I
e The Hon. james Z. Belser, cx-M. @. of All
n and the Hon. VIM. L. Yancey, M. c., the OPT
i. nent Of Mr.. Clingman in the duel Of last wint
D are among the converts now being made by a
revival In the South
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