The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-09-20
Correspondence the Cincinnati Gazette.
PoWERS .asND HIS STATUE, THE
GKEEK SLAVE.


GKEEK SLAVE.
My Dear Sir l have Just returned from my Sd
hour visit 10 Powers famous statue Of the Greek
Slave, now on exhibition at the Academy Of Design.
My admiration, positive at the first, has, with this
third visit, passed to on unqualified superative and
finds language too weak to express its intensity It
is not unmingled with sort Of pride, half that hu-
mainly has perfect type Of physical beauty, and
half that the genius which conceived, and the hand
which executed this glorious work, belongs to our
own newborn and divnely commissioned America!
have never ,ed the seats Of ancient art have
behcld with mine own eyes the high achievements
Of Grecian and Roman genius; but, with the fever
Oh me-" | should not hesitate TO challenge " time
past present and to come" to produce the equal of
this wonderful work--the Uorid to be the judge and
arbi,er. My appeal would be, not to the critical
judgment which o. jecls to the adjustment Of the
hair or the curve Of finger but 10 that innate and
universally diffused sense which feels and recognizes
the beautiful under every form, and finds expression
alike in the pauper and the prince.
This statue, hardly need say, ri presents Greek
girl, in the slave mart just disrobed at the command
Of her master, that her naked beauties moy enhance
her price to the purchaser. Her simple dress lies
beside her; her right hand rests slightly upon bro
ken column, while the weight Of the body falls main
Iy VI on the left leg-,he most natural, il is the
most graceful attitude which the human figure is
capable of assuming. A chain binds the slight
.; H.. 4 81. IL
downcast, and the face half averted sorrowful yet
heroic. The whole expression is that of thinking
modesty, blended with virtuous dignity and lofty
feminine fortituJe.' .....
The Greek Slave is entirely nude, but an atmcs-
phcre of radiant purity surrounds her How eloquent
y her story is told, liz atcsed in the hush Of the
crowded room-the uncovered heads, the light foot.
fall, and the scarcely brcathcd whspe-no less than
in the earnest expression Of interest and sympathy
which marks the face Of every vsitcr. We seldom
witness this silence the part Of an assemblage o.
men, except under the highest Efforts Of the orator,
when the multitude hangs breath!css upon his i'm
passioncd appeals or strong dcnunciatons. But
this mute statue, speaking only through its chissecd
features, is no less eloquent Such is the respect
that attaches to innocence and beauty, and such the
power with which great genius invests its works
There must be divine impulses in every heart which
harmonzcs with all that is pure and. beautiful, and
chords which vibrate to every appeal Of misfortune.
Cold and bad as the word.,ueIage of man makes
him, yet at heart we find GodsowR seeds which
need only the association Of works like these, and
tho familiarity Of noble sentiments 10 nurture into
luxuriant and beautiful development
AS simple worl; Of art, this statue strikes mo
faullcss. 1t certainly displays wonderful famia-
ry with nature, such is attained only by long and
severe study and without which the highest concep-
tons Of the sculptor painter would he without
their effect to tie eye, as the nobest thoughts would
fall powerless upon tie ear, unless clothed in Ian
guage appropriate to their character. The Greek
Slave exhibits q complete mastery of the anatomy
of the human figure, and dspluye tbs minutest mus
cular development, enormously though generally
supposed to detract from feminine beauty. II is this
which gives that machless and indescribable undti
iating grace to the female form, and is lost in that
simple roundncss or fullness, (wbat the gross vague
ly call "uxurant development or "ripeness') so
fatal to character and Expression 1t is in this fea-
ture TO say nothing Of its loftier senlimen) that
the Greek Slave must DO regarded as superior to the
Grecian Venus. presume it will be no longer re-
garded as treason to art TO claim for the Greek Slave
the highest place among existing sculptures @
It will be gratifying to tho people Of Cincinnati
to learn that the exhibition Of this statue promises to
place their -eitizsn, Powers, in possession Of
competence. 1t is no. generally known that his
struggles with poverty have been severe though I'M
complaining 1t is now a week since the exhibition
opened and the average attendance has exceeded
700 visiters daily. New York, Boston, and Phla-
dclphia will secure to the artist S25,ooO-will not
the rest Of the Union, Ito say nothing of his own
Cincinnati,) raise the sum TO $4,000, and on this
testimonial rcfute the charge of American non-appre-
citation Of talent, in at least single instance The
success which has thus far attended the exhibition Of
the statue and which will, without doubt be contin
uous, is matter Of congratulation, cvincing the
growth Of sound taste for the highest art amongst
our counrymen. When this taste shall become &C.
neral, glorious field will be, is, offered to
the ar,i t! Not small aristocratic division shall
reward his exerons with their praise-but the PEG.
ple shall Irvine his wreath Of Immortality. And if no
individual shall be found TO purchase his productions
and supply him with pa,ronzing bread, claiming the
oor of charity for the deed, the people shall bestow
upon him their voluntary tribute and honorable sup
port. Hunah then, for Republican Art and Repub-
lican Literature, as well as for Republican Govern.
ment! .'
ora large store house was burnt down very
recently in Gsnesee, Henry county, lIlinois-the
fire originated from Lucifer ma'ches
n1' The Columbia, Mo-, Statesmen. of the 10th
instant. announces that Gen. Price and his regiment
were within six days march OF the settlements.