Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-05-13
POWERS STATUE OF CALHOUN

The Charleston Mercury publishes an interest
ing letter from Powers, the Soul ptor, dated Flo
renee, April It'll, and addressed to H. Gourdin,
Esq, concerning his statue of calhoun" for
which there had been some anxiety, lest it had
shared the fate of his "Eve" in the ship-wreck of
the Swedish Ship Westmoreland, near Carthage
ma. ltappears that Powers did not ship his "Cal-
houn" on that ill-fated vessel, and scarcely ex-
pected to ship it for America before the middle of
the present month. He expressed, in the letter.
an earnest desire that Mr.. Calhoun should himself
see the statue, which, of he did not though
he may have seen daguerreotype of it, in the
possession of Mr.. Aspinwall. The article gives
the following pleasing description of some points
of the statue, and of the conception of Mr.. CAL
houn's character, upon which he has produced his
work:
The words "Truth, Justice and the Constu-
ton" have been engraved upon the scroll in gilt
letters. and, nearly as possible, in the hand of
Mr.. Calhoun. have given the form of his wri-
ting, but corrected the trembling hand little
| The effect is fine
! 1t may be satisfactory to you to know, that as
far as have been informed, or have means of
knowing, this statue has given entire satisfaction
| to all who have seen it here. Some say that it
| has more vigorous expression than Mr.. CAL
houn now has, but this is owing to the time at
which took his likeness, about fifteen years ago,
when he was really in his prime He had, to be
sure, the look of age, but none of it's nfrmties-
the very time of life at which great man like him
should be represented by the brush or the chsel,
| for posterity.
You will find that Ihave represented his hair
shorter than he now wears it. Mr.. Kellogg sent
me drawing of his head with long hair, but
did not like it so we'll. 1t was shorter when
made his bust, but even then thought it too long
| for the best effect. Mr.. Calhoun's head is beau
| tifully formed nothing could be finer than the
outline oft. The concentrated energies of his
powerful mind appear to glow, and sometimes to
flash, from his face. Where all is angular and
masculine, long hair is effeminate and soft it
does not accord with the "cast-iron man.
may add, that long hair disturbs the clean and
fine outline of his head. 1t is true, that at his
tireside, and among his friends, Mr.. CALHOUN
manner is soft and gentle as a child's-his smile
is sunshine, and like the sunshine, it aoarms while
it enlightens all around him; but it is sunshine
1t is no ordinary light and heat that is perceived
and felt ia Mr.. CALHoUNs relaxed presence 1t
is the light and heat of melted "cast IRON" 1t may
be enjoyed but it cannot be played with. have
preferred to represent Mr. CALHOUN as he is
known and understood by the mass of our people
the disinterested and stern statesman of the
South. l say nothing of his political views,
more than that | believe them to be sincere and
honest.
pray you to pardon me for venturing to give
the above views of Mr.. CALHoUN's person and
character. An artist ought always to act upon
fixed ideas of the subject he is treating-n other
words, he should have proper conception of it,
nr lohn will ha ohnrti no OH hoe
been my conception, it is for you, and all those
who have so kindly and generously united with
you in this project, to Judge how far have been
successful in forming and executing the design
| for Mr. CALHoUNs statue | have been long
while aboutit, but the subject has never been alb
sent from my mind Upon no other work have I
ever spent much time and labor, nor is it likely
that ever shall aganfor it is the first full length
draped statue that have ever made.
Yours, most sincerely,
HIRAM POWERS.
Fl. GoURDIN. ESQ