The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-18

at early day-say the 18th of March, or the 4th OF
July at farthest.
The Equestrian Statue.
Sculpture has always presented peculiar charm
there some thing Its bold its outlines OF re-
pose vigorous forms powerful action, which strikes
the beholdcr with that awe for genius never produced by
the snrace. outline vivid cooring OF the painter
1t seems the highest grade OF mans genius that model
ling from the inert but now sprnging INTO
mute life, With action twere arrested by some potent
speil--that creation of state where movement is ex-
pected, but chilled into reposea hxedness cOncen!a
ton in one action, where the expression OF fleeing
passion is caught fixed forever Who has moi felt this
in gazing the Boxers OF Canova-in the vigorous CT.
fort the back drawn arm, when each strained snew and
swelling muscle tell the tale OF deadly blow soon to ol-
low; when catch the breath and irembe in suspense,
it icy breath has blown over the combasans and
chilled them they stood !-or, in the Gladiator of the
Capitol, whose stitching yet yielding LIMBS the swollen
veins and matted hair, the slow yelling wound, tell how
his brain sckly reels that death will soon be there, and
in that sinking at the heart which the sight OF
human suffering mastered by superhunan courage, will
ever create With him we stand within the arena; and
how well the tale told, how eagerly seek the finger
of the cold Roman populace greedy for blood, yet now
upturned in mercys sign at the sight of brave despair :
or the Wresers Of the Paaz veccho the expression
OF passion, strength, and fierce struggle for mastery
Yet how little sculpture is confined 10 the expression OF
the more violent PASSIONS how sublime It's majesty as
seen in Angeles great Jewish lawgiver, Moses: how
sweet its slumbcrs; how still and cold Its DEATH Whilst
gazing the famed statue OF Moses in San Piero IN
brow, that we heard the words OF the law Numbered
| forth to- the Israeitish multitude. When we looked
upon the Christ by the same master as dead ne lay
in the lap of his weeping mother with the lingering smile
of resignation his shrunk features we wondered NOT
that in earlier day, the Church brought the influence Of
art to aid religion in her sway-there reality in the
scene which must have brought conviction to the most
obdurae heart, how for al he suffered This, then, we
think the charm of cupture not the expression OF
sson repose death alone; but, that single figure
will conure up thousands all accessories to the one great
centre piece No man, however devoid of the poetry OF
nature, gaze on speaking statue without completing
the whole or carrying out the conception; tins ac we
feel on beholdng the figure of Niobe crcuchng and pro-
tecting her wounded children. We need no assistance
there-the tale is told at once.
1t differs from the painters art in this seems that the
latter is perfect in its way it is the representation OF one
mans conception and unaIteable; whilst sculpture al
ordsa field for that OF thousands. and each man nnas
sculpure the spirit of the statue becomes at
once With the famous Mercury OF John Of Bologna,
Wrestiers we are inspired with the dignity of Moses
and giddily reel with the dying Gladiator -
All true lovers of art must hold with US that sculpture
is the best of national refinement; and that our most
decided Impressions of Grecian and Roman grandeur are
derived from the mperishabe monuments which have
been handed US We have enjoyed the fortune Of a
walk in the Pompean Way of Tombs and stood within
the Roman forum, felt the impress OF ages and won
dered the traces of architectural magncence strewn
around u.s. yet how much more perfect was our concep
ton of bygone grandeur when gazed on some per-
ec preserved detail of scuptnre which served put as
aduvant ornament to splendid piles now crumblIng to
dust. ne Slm1le De strange, we
upon these excavaed treasures Of art the iilustnous
Cuver would have gazed upon the relics OF some anted
uvian Ronstersas types OF what creation was IN their
day How anxious should every American, therefore,
be for progress in this granles branch OF art The
Greeks and Romans monumental people; and why
/ might we excel Our national history and struggles
afford varied subjects for the scuors chise and popu
lar gradually but surely tending to thus branch
| of refinement.
| We have always loved the Of the art There is
something in the sound OF "sculpors studio which al
ways called up host of ling associations We ancicd,
in reading of those of old that present; that with
Angelo we made the dust and marble fly from some huge
mass, fast craving into human shape We viewed with
awe the huge plaster head in Benvenuos court yard :
that ghostly head with fiery eyes at night, the OF
long dead Ascano's courtship and romance How ar
IDENTIFY entered into the enthusiasm OF Celni, when,
reused from bed of sickness by his despalrins work.
men, he rushed to his mouds, when pots, Kettles plat
ers all of metal near dashed into the cooling font
in time TO the casting of his famous perseus .,
Having thus an admiration for the art it can easily be
imagined with what feelings % pleasure we received an
invitation visit the studio OF artist recently come
among For months past we had noticed an
unobrusve structure near the Presidents cate, anu
wondered what of art might be there concealed
Tor studio it most evidently WAS Our invitation re-
minded us of similar given at Florence, some years
snce by an American sculptor OF emnence and the scene
Is still vivid in memory when with torches we visited
me gallery OF busts of distinguished Americans, and
viewed the Eve and Greek Slave under the soft effect OF
ARTIFICIAL light That, and visit the Vatican under
similar circumstances, will readily be forgotten On
visiting Mr.. Mills, found the usual arrangement OF
such placescunous instruments, TOOLS materel, halt
ers brides, bits, &c, arranged in artistic style; and in
the larger portion OF the building the partially completed
horse Tor the equestrian statue of Jackson. We have
seen some OF the best pieces of equestrian sculpture
ABROAD and te degree Of national anxiety to know