Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-05-23


chi>c and the pencil, IS The Greek and Roman
Philosophers, Generals and even Tyranls, that
have lten handed down 10 pos,eiily.
All thai is necessary, is u keep The question
before the public mind and We shall he content if
We have, in The Least, contributed 10 this end
To he Editors ri The Enquirer:
SCULPTURE.
Believing that no,hng more Than proof of in
Justice having been Willingly done 10 an indiyi-
dual through your conmns, is needed 10 ensure
prompt acknowledgment aud rcparailon, | have
been induced, unknown 10 The gentleman attack
Ell, 10 offer plain statement and temperate re-
ply. 10 The letter in YOUR Issue of May Sd, over
ihr signature Of 'Ih shall no, aspire, like The
writer, 10 Ike character of .Iuvenal, or descend
10 such virulence and blind invecilve As mark
some parts Of his letter. or 10 The srovellinS nsl-
nualions, 50 beneath The proper dignity OF cri-
lique on art or 4 letter sent across the Ailanllc-
Though his assaults upon ~ rs" words, style,
and motives, in his laudalions OF Mr. Persico
are the least effective features OF his paper, and
entirely innocuous and piiilul in the eyes of all
who know that gentleman | think II best 10 no.
lice them briefly in the FIRST place and afterwards
review the levilv OF purpose, and The narrow ana
superficial ideas OF art evinced in the graver and
more general speculalCns connected win Them
The article containing such warm ami learlully
anti American praise OF the group oil Columbus,
appeared in the National lnielligencer, dnring.
think, The past August, and was written alter
first sight OF that work, by an old and attached
friend of the sculptor, ani one who has attained,
BY travel study and natural taste, an intimate, Sc
we're and comprehensive knowledge 81 all mat
pertains 10 the arts OF desien-a knowledge which
NAV be thought worthy comparison with "L 5
sc-heralded aanmen,S in such things, when
say thai il is in Philadelphia con'essedly and no.
toriously inferior 10 that OF NJ American con-
noisseur living. | do not ee either al liberty, or
called on 10 publish his name, but deem Il sum
cient 10 say that he was Tie most prominent OIL
sina,or of The "Arlists Fund Society and is now
\ member of The Academy OF the Fine Arts in
Philadelphia. There The initials - l." viii be
readily recognized First in The support and ad-
vancemenl Of all projects tending 10 The welfare
and nouIishment OF the arts and matters oil ele-
CANT taste in general, he has ever extended Tue
generous and cordial hand OF answering ana
disnterested assistance 10 young altis's, KNOW
ING no distinction hat that Of talents, ana no
end but The prc-eminence OF American art
This Messrs. Editors, is not empty asseftiohi
but speak of "whal ! DO know. am
myself an American painter, and though a
neophytr, have common interests, common a'noi-
ton, and common pride, with my lellow-cilizens
OF this province OF The Empire Of ATT. nave
the honor, The pleasure, and the Wohl oil ms inti,
mate acquaintance; and knowing Inc man ana
his character, judging Of that oil II. ohly from
his own words could no, but be Indignant al me
petty carping OF the latier-lhe ii1lle dougihS,
gnn-boat creeping along the shadows ana ufop-
ping long though not very eficleh' sho' mo ''e
more powerful man-ot-war.
do not wish TO be thought as endorsing any
unqualified praise of Mr. Pcrsiros last work,
though should be dillident of expressing any
emphatic opinion 10 the contrary, IN lace 0i wnal
conceive 10 be very high authority. BON It's
beauties and lis laulls are very obvious 10 ms
" glance. The figure Of Columbus IS conslfalh-
ed and ungraceful in its motions OF aeial., :cos"
the general conception and action IS dishileu.-
Thus, the lef arm is stuck rigidly a-kinoo, III an
attitude far from poelcal OF itself; yet wheil you
stand at a short distance, and view The llmb as a
pait of the whole, and only continuation anu
accessory emphasis of the energy ana determined
enthusiasm expressed in The right arm' prouu
head, and advancing limbs the harsi,lless " IN,
nutiR is merged in the gra'der harsnhess :, ne
whole, and il scarcely seems more OF olt n l
Thar The straight nrole and distorted nostril does
10 The champins and impatient steed The SOUP
tor may have mistaken, in his hrsi conception, tne
variety and slernly harmonious combinalioh u d.
tributes 10 be impersonaled in the Discoverer; ye'
few will deny that in less expansive IDEAS, III lhe
single predominant quality OF TRIUMPHANT per~-
pcranoc. sought 10 be stamped on The marple, ms
success is signal and admirable. 10 TINS the
artist seems 10 have sacrificed every lhinS eise;
and il NAV be plausiby alleged, in defence OIL ms
course, that The selecting one feature, LOT ,l'e ae
lion ofthe whole, giving decided ana ihdePehu-
ami character. thongh but in single point, toahy
original production, is OF itseli an iillp.ess VI
greatness and genius. 1t shows vigor OF lmaslcc
nation, and bold and uncomPrnh'sns gap ~ l.
truth; and is conspicuous IN me "oi"s VI '"e
first painters-Rafaelle particularly.
But the finest division OF the group, inu'SPu.a-
blv is The Indian Girl. This is creation OF tue
poetry; and contrasied, as it is, with The strong
and rugged figure by its side, gives The spectator
The idea OF dew bathing grey and uncou'h rock'
glazing multitude OF faults, and soiteninS ~ IT'S
clear. but mild transparency, the asferitieS ni me
coarse surface into chastened solemnity There
is little forced or unpleasing here; Inc contour IS
quite natural and easy-and, though Inc expires,
sion of the coupenance is far from being that Oh
untuiored innocence, the local and passing IDEAS
ensendered By the novel sight of being OF suPe-
rior beauty and power, are written IN ma teIy
manner on her uplurned countenance. The de-
sien and anatomy OF this figure are ssod thousn us
strong action and lively attitude, so inimical 10
female grace lend 10 give it an angular and some
what masculine effect.
Wihout, therefore, attempting 10 palliaie The
many faults of this group, | will assert, without
much fear Of contradiction, that II is The nnest
original marble inthe United States, Win Inc soie
exception of Greenonsfs Washington. hcluoe
not, of course The numerous fine casts and copies
after the ANTIQUE, and from the modern revivers
Of sculpture, which are to be found in public and
private collections. Its superiority 10 Persco's
previous slatues-those of Peace and War-is
extraordinary. They do not appear the work Of
the same hand. These two are The mere work OF
the ehi,el-lhe other Of the mind. The "Wash-
ington" is certainly much grander eiort-but
it IS ADORE The present condition our taste. Its beau
ties do moi play over the surface or WOO The care
less eye The eatus Of the design, like all that is