The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-02-07
pERsIco.s col uMB Us.

II
PERSICO.S COLUMBUS.
BY far the greatest object of attraction and ad-
miration at Washington is Persico's last and best
work, the discoverer and discovered OF America.
which now occupies its permanent resting place
in front Of the portico Of the capitol build
ings As a7work Of art, OF prolific genius. Of
intellectual conception, of precise and admirable
execution. this group, consisting OF Columbus, at
the moment he realizes his theory of the rotundty
of the earth, which is simply, yet beautifully illus
trated BY the globe held forth triumpaanty in his
right hand, and the figure Of an Indian female,
startled at the approach Of the bold adventurer,
presents an entire picture. unequailed In grace
and unapproached in majesty, by anything which
native or foreign talent affords In the public or
private collections Of the country. The artist has
grasped the history OF the man. his undisnayed
courage amidst all vicissitudes, the providential
guidance which overruled his destiny, the great
aim and the beginning Of an enterprise whose
results have changed The character and condition
OF the world. The wondering behoIder is ir esist-
IDLY impressed with all the higher faculties Of
patient endnrance.4 elevated purpose, discriminate
ing judgment, and the wen balanced spirit Of reso-
luton and consummafion, which are developed
and harmonized in the head Of Columbus. Mind,
majesty and grandeur persade, and thought seems
10 utter the poetral realization Of all the principles
at WHICH an ignorant world had scoffed One is
not approached as with statuary generally, aud
other works of the same sculptor, which stand
nearby, (the statues of Peace and War; eminentiy
distinguished TOR abiIity.) fail in the effect of this
composition. W E
In Columbus there is an eloquent and touching
appealto the feelings, energy Of character, acd
an emotion which excites and moves, which per-
through the dark chambers Of five centuries, pIac-
ing US. as il were. face to face with "a common
ancestor, distinguished beyond the men OF his
time, and foremost in the march Of civilization and
eye. has formed fellowship with the man and his
age, and the promptngs, both of affection aud
reverence, urge the American heart, as il expands
ngowing homage to the diicover Of continent,
designed as the experiment and Retpetuation Of
free institutions.
The Indian figure is Of extraordinary ease and
most pleasing attitude. She is unnoticed by Co.
umbus, but is herself alarmed at the advent Of the
mailed dscoverer. Every Characteristic feature
OF that peculiar race is most appropriately blended
and developed ia the ineaments and symmetry OF
this animated marble; and the combination is SO
perfect and the SO real, TO the active mind,
that it wants but Prometheus to set the machine
Of life in motion. Ignorance, usual, has become
quite offended at the indelicacy oil this figure, be-
cause the drapery has tallen naturally and grace
fully at the instant of her surprise, which discov-
ers proportions that prudes think ought to be BAN
daged up with great care and concealed from
observation. Such ridiculous pretensions to de-
cency and delicacy have too often met the rebuke
they deserve, to require either argument or censure
now. Sin and crime are measured BY the degree
Of intention which influences the act; and ia the
moral world, purity consists, not in the observance
of a conventional code, or the .edicts Of morbid
society, but in the heart, aud the inner temple ol
all things sacred. The female Of proprr capacity
aud education, who would except to the simple
and graceful posture of this unpublished but honest
Indian, has much need to examine her own con.
science, lest association, and the liberal doctrines
Of fashionable life have misled her Judgment aud
shaken her principles; and the more fastdous and
less intellectual will see in this picture lesson Of
nature in its primitive beauty, greatly in contrast
with the vulgar and loathing accomplishments of
the toilet 30 prominently elaborate in themselves
ouragng every notion Of propriety, and utterly
at war. with the sentiments Of truly yirtuous
woman. In the whole work there ia seyerything
to admire and nothing to condemn. In Is the sub
lime without pretenson and great without effect
The marble used in this work wss taken from
the recently opened quarry of La Pala, at Sira
Vera, between Pisa and Carrara. about twenty
miles distant from the latter II differs from the
Carrara marble. of which the statues of Peace and
War are composed, being barber, whittier. more
transparent, and imperyous to atmospheric action,
for which quality it was selected transparency
seems q singular expression to apply to a heavy
body Of marble. but Il requires only to be studied
under the influence al q vertical sun to realize the
life-besiowing luste which il sheds not only upon
hut through the figures ~ al2.
Persico was employed five years upon this crea-
ton Of his genius. and The marble was transported
10 his studio in Naples, DISTANCE Of seven hun
dred miles from the quarry. The armor upon the
staine Of Columbus is accurate to riyei. having
been. copied from asuit in, The palace Of the de-
scendants Of the discoverer, at Genoa The cost
Of the group is 10000. - Democratic Repiewo.
"A. Cousins LiPs. --TheIips Of apretty cousin,
says the Richmond Star. are a sort Of neutral
ground, between asisieri and stranger's. nyoq
sip il is not because you loye nor exactly because
you have The right, nor upon grounds Rlatonic, nor
with the calm satisfaction that YOU bussa favorite
sister II sa sort Of hocus-pocps commingling Of