Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-06-10
The Virginia Monument to Washington.

The Virginia Monument to Washington
The Enquirer publishes a letter from Thomas
Crawford, the Sculptor engaged upon the statuary
for our Va. Mo@ument, dated at Rome, May 18th.
Having mentioned that after couple of months
of study, he at last settled upon what he believed
to be the most expressive arrangement for the
statues of Jefferson and Henry, he says:
You are aware that before left the United States
had worked out the architectural portion OF the Monu-
ment in series of careful drawings prepared es press
ly for the builder; duplicates having been left with His
Exceency Gov Floyd, in case Of any accident occur.
ring to the originals now in possession of the Super-
tending Architect. The stataary, therefore, had to be
literally commenced here, and have now the satistac
ton OF Informing you that the model of the statue Of
Patrick Henry eleven feet in height, is far advanced
and will be completed in August next. Before that
time will have commenced the model of the statue OF
Jefferson IN the same proportions. The designs for
the shledg containing the of Virginia. are ready
to be enlarged to the required sze--sx feet in height
The preparatory study in clay for the Equesteran
Group lot Washington is nearly finished. | shall not
be able to commence the work in large before Novem
Der next, have been obliged to wait some time in
order to procure suitable building. The colossal sea
upon which this group is to be modelled and the dis
lance required to Judge correctly of its proportions
far beyond the ordinary limits in use for the studio of
Sculptor. have been thus placed under the necessity
OF constructing in part room that will give me height
OF forty feet in the clear by sixty feet long, and thirty
OF the building, and in the roof This arrangement
will enable me to work with all the advantages of hav-
ing light similar to that afforded by working in the
open air.
The benefit ofths arrangement need scarcely men,
ton as you will easily understand that statuary of this
descriptions ifwrought in contracted, height light
as it termed by Artsts-can be properly eec-
tive when placed in the position it is ultimately to oc
cuRy.
To-day begin the model of one of the shields
have spoken of-representing Virginia trampng upon
Tyranny have entire recomposed this subject from
the rude design upon the great seal OF the State adhe
ring, however to the sentiment therein expressed The
motto, " Sic Semper Iyrannis," will be introduced in
such manner as to be perfectly egble from the base
OF the Monument.
Preparations upon such an extensive SCALE united
with what l have already accomplished towards
forwarding the satuary OF the Monument, will, |
hope, sufficiently attest my anxiety to proceed with
all possible rapdity in keeping pace with the archtec
tural progress OF the work, which, am informed by an
Enquirer | received short time since in Rome is so
far ad vanced as to show portion of the steps already
| 10 their places.
shall not attempt to give you any description of the
statue OF Patrick Henry, further than to say, that nv
desire has been to create an mpersonation of powerful
and energetic eloquenCe In this have been fayered
greatly by the expressive features of Henry's face,
which, containing they did, all the characteristics Of
grandeur and mental ability, can be wrought up, be-
eye, into the finest type imaginable of true republican
patriotism
AS regards the drapng Of the statute have adj
hered strictly TO the costume OF the period in which
he lived; to be more explictI that of l765 3d.
have had much pleasure in observing that numerous
visitors to my studio, during the progress ofhe work,
apree in pronouneing that the great patriot is thus
brought more wildly before them, that he could pos
:bly have been, had attempted TO colhe him with the
| Toga OF the Roman Senator, or any other obsolete
costume of antiquity. NV design of. statue of
Jefferson represents him offering Congress for ap-
prevail his draft of the Declaration of Independence
As proceed with the statue, will give you further
description OIL.
One word in conclusion, regarding the Bronze have
taken every opportunity of obtaining information re-
gardng the subject, and have been most agreeably
surprised since my return to Europe with the beauty of
the color have seen in statue of Goethe at Frank
fort, This work came out of the great foundry of
Stiglmeyen at Munich, and consider it to be the per-
lection. of casting in This material. So tar from the
statue being either black green, was enormously
supposed would be the with the statues for the
Virginia Monument. the specimen allude to is of
beautiful golden color, without any brightness to offend
the eye Of the observer This quality can be perfectly
therefore attained in the statues am engaged upon
Ihasten to send this aware the subject
of great importance it having called forth yari-
Gus remarks at the time the design for the Virginia Mon
ment chosen.