The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-11-24
Powers and Grcenough.

we copy, from the Florence correspondent Of the
New York Tribune, adyices Of the doings and
whereabouts of these distinguished American
sculptors
] had meant to have forgotten politics a mo-
ment in the tranquil retreats Of art. Ewes and
Greek Slaves still flower out Of the marble into
perfect human beauty, although republics rise and
fall, and Austrians strut victorious before the
Venus.
was fortunate enough to arrive a day or two be-
fore POwers's Eve packed for America Two
years since he had completed the casting but mar
bic has life Of Its own which nothing can deface
The I've y truly the mother Of race Ripper, rich
err larger than the Slave il leaves perhaps nothing
10 be desired. The figure stands in the coil of the
serpent holding an apple i'm the right hand ele-
'ated towards the mouth The left falls at the side
also holding fruit. The attitude and expression
are those Of tranquil musing, pleased hesitation
after doubt Is vanquishcd. The whole has some
thing 90 generous and noble, the conception l. 40
large, and tie execution 80 perfect, that cannot
hesitate for myself 70 call it the finest statue have
ever seen. The Night Of Michael Angelo il A
greater work, but in another way The Calhoun
i putting into marble, figure Of Roman majesty
and grandeur, and he has made another ideal bust
"a head Of Psyche a. pendant 10 the PrOserpine
II b in the STYLE but represents greater youth
and innocence. wreath Of flowers surrounds the
breast the hair waves dclicately around the head
and the forehead l. starred with A butterfly n ia
very exquisite and beautiful
Powers other great work in hand il the America
an allegOrcsl statue Of the country IL L. az vet
only ia the cast. Beside il lies the magnificent
block Of Serravezza marble in which il will be cut
larger than life. This IL briefly the design Of the
statue young female figure erect, supported
firmly upon the right foot the left slightly ad
vauccd, crushing crown beneath At the ripht
Of the figure stands bundle Of fasces reaching to
the hand, which, without resting l. in the act OF
Offering them. The fingers are mingled in the
leaves Of laurel crown which falls over the fasccs
The left arm j. bent and elevated at a riuht angle
The fore fingers Of the open hand arc 10 s,i,,frt
I lightly a liberty Jlbfcb f,1i
the wrist The figure il TO be dclicately drapcd
about tho Oins and right leg, to I'll up the too nc
upenncss around the base.
The action Of this figure il remarkable The az
! piratOn-thc radiant glow of commanding youth
arc fascinating. You will appreciate Al once the
conception. The statue says briefly From Tint
through D,iS, ~ That The trampled crown, the
fasces Of union wrcathed with victorious laurel
Victory, however, only upon union. Yet a oro,cn
Of victory 20 indicating popular sovereignty: and
the liberty cap, emblem Of no sclfsh personal aO.
grandizcment. il b extremely simple and intolli.
gblc, and the treatment is 20 inspiring and truth.
fu that every American will realize in Il the genius
Of hIs country.
Now that Powers stands confcsscdly with the
d irst sculptOrs Of any time, and meditates a work
20 largely national perhaps it Is not presumptuous
I 20 hope that this, az yet, uncommissoned statue
viii become national property. We could now
safely honor an artist who honOrs us 80 much
AZ the other cnd Of the city is GrcenOGgh's studio
II j. one that he has himself recently erected and
IL the ideal retreat Of classical, cultivated ideal
artist. large, central, circular hall. hung with
fine pictures the gifts chiefly Of artist friends il
I finely lighted from above, and most dcliCatoly DC
I signed. Around this, upon a lower level arc
smaller working rooms, whence through conve-
I nicnt doors, a large work may be studied in the
central hall from point below. Tie studio i.
full Of the beautiful Gijout Of a scbolar-of choice
books, Inedallons, cugrayings every thing tenn
percd by tho most tranquil taste
Greenough was at work upon a bas. relief ! had
the good fortune here, too, OF seeing work about
being sent 10 America, 10 a friend in Boston II
was also relief" The Artists lamp filled by
an unknown hand"-an incident Of personal his.
tory The artist is young, graceful figure bent
in sleep sorrow, and his table before him is a
statuete Of an Andzomene Venus Of exquisite deli.