Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-10-25
AMERICAN ARTISTS IN FLORENCE.


AMERICAN ARTISTS IN FLORENCE.
Letter 10 ths Rssiones inteltigsncer dated August
1851.
Powers studio, OF which AIN frequent vis'ter, is
flied with the exquisite works of his master mind and
. resored To- by al tho American aud many OF The
English tourists. HIS Greek Slave ard Fisher Boy
well known and universally admired that il
is needless to say word about them. His alegorca
of California though less pleasing, because OF
certain severe dignity OF expression appropriate to
the subject, is splendid work OF 1t ia now
nearly ready to be cut in marble. As dem Califor-
MAN, testify to the spirit and truthtuness OF the
design. Many OF his recent bustS in his very best
sye and great has been the pressure ofhis engage
menls that understand he has been compelled to in-
crease his prices to one thousand dollars bust Even
now he has more work engaged than he can do: vet all
who visit his studio are treated with much attention
and kindness as if time was object with him No
American who spends any length of time in florence
can leave it without proad sense OF the noble genius
and OF all the sterling qualities oil head and heart that
adorn the character of Hiram Powers.
Greeuough has nearly completed his great work for
the Capitol He ls now Oh tour through Switzerland
having left Florence some two months ago to refresh
himself after hard years labor. Ga his return shall
be able to see his group again and give articu
lar account of its progress.
Kellogg, the palmer, has recently returned after
absence of four years 10 the United States. is studio
is fall of good things, chiefly from sketches made BY
hmseltdufng his travels through Egypt ard Asia Minor
He is now engaged in making some fine paintings de-
scrptive OF Oriental Lie.
among the greatest attractions in Florence at this
time, in the way OF modern arr is the statue Of Ruth
by Mr.. Randolph Rogers, of New York. This beau
tlul work is destined to rank with the best produc
tons OF Powers; and venture say it will win for thu
artist a distinguished name. Nothing can exceed the
poetic beauty OF the design, which at once original
and appropriate to the subec and in graceuness, SIM
pIclty, and ease OF outline, and general harmony OF
expression, is truly worthy of that beautiful MASSAGE
in the Scripture upon which it is founded Ruth has
been fayorte subject with poets and artists from time
nmemorial, yet, like Truth ITSELF she ever sheds re-
feshing and purifying influence upon the human heart
MIR. Rogers has seized upon interesting point
10 the Scriptura narrative when she is supposcd to be
rising from the held In which she has been geanino m
the presence of Boaz who attracted by her beauty has
approached the spot. The expression Of her counte~
nance is indescribahIy attractive modest vet full of
gentle confidence; dignfied yet chdllke in its inno-
cence breathing the saddened spirit of pure and fer
nature which has suffered yet never repined -
The hair falls in long natural masses over neck and
shoulders OF exquisite form and delicacy. In hand
rests few ears OF wheat and the other seems rnidly
lresied the scattered stems as il she heSitaed in
the continuance of her task before the great Boar
One knee is still upon the ground and the other saned
if in the act OF rising; loose robe falls over the lett
shoulder and the folds Of cinture cover the lower
portion of the figure, leaving the outline distinctly and
beautifully developed. So light and graceful is the
drapery and perfectly appropriate and natural tha,
the wonder to be how The artist ever succeeded in
throwing such flowing fabric over it all; and stlll
more without eonceang in any degree the exquisite
beauty OF inc limos ana the soft contour OF the form.
But s Impossible to convey any idea of the beauties
of this fine work in few hurried lines [ understs nd
that it has already been purchased by Mr. Dudley Sci.
den Of New FORK, from whose weIl-knoyn tasja end
beraliy the public will doubt derive the opportun
v of seeing the work on It's arrival in the United
States.
Mr.. Rogers leaves in 3 week two for Rome where
he will proceed at once to have the cast watch is now
finished put in marble, and during the progress OF the
work will probably devote himself to new designs
which he has in view.
upon round OF ideal studies. The enthusiasm and
perseverance, with which this artist has for the two
years OF his soourn in Florence devoted himself to the
details OF his profession must eventually ensure for him
that distinction to which his taeas so emnenty en-
title him. Kentucky may well be proud OF the stone
mason, who, rising from his humble sphere by the un.
aided force OF MS talents, modelled the best but that
has been made OF kentucky's greates statesman
and who now, upon the well-eaned fruits Of his labor
is patiently toilng up that high emjnence to attain
which thousands who take the shorter paths fall vic
tins to impatient ambition.
MIR. Gait, OF Virginia, Is engaged upon q bust oil
Psyche which. understand, has been ordered by the
young men oil his native town, in token of their high
appreciation OF his talents. His bust of Viroina is
much admired, but his Psyche exhibits a decided i'm
provement, aud will add greatly to his reputation
There is pensve sweetness in the expression; quiet
gracefuness i'll the position and true appreciation
of the best artlsca standard of the beautiful in the
profile and general outline which cannot fail to win
for this work the appreciation oil every lover of art
Young as the artist is, he has already made himself
known as one OF Vlrglnas most promising SONS and
venture 10 predict that, with the experience and ad-
vantages OF study afforded by few years. residence
Florence, he Will be welcomed by the citizens of his
native Siate OF whose reputation they NAV we'll
be proud, and kindness OF heart and unpretend
ing manners equal to his talents.
Mr. Ives, the sculptor, is also here but having as
yet seen none OF his productions must defer notice
of them till my next. 1t may be gratifying to his
friends, meantime, to learn that he is in good health
and spirits, and, as usual hard at work
Thomas Buchanan Read, the artist and poet spent
the last autumn and winter here, and during his stay
painted several fine pictures To the regret OF all his
acquaintance, he left Florence about three months
ago, in consequence oiimpared heath. He is now in
Paris, greatly benefited by tour through Europe
Among the best of his works is picture enti-
tied Excelsior founded upon Longel ow's poem of
that name.
Mr.. Page, of New Y rk, occupies prom nent posi-.
ton among the American artists and has added to Ills
high reputation for fine coloring by number of admi~
rable works within the last year. believe he contem
plates remaining some time in Europe.
Mr.. Nichols, who came over al the same time has !
made excellent copies from the old masters and
is still a WORK in the public galleries.
a.4M Mr.. Saunders, a young artist from Mississippi is
making good sketches from lite chiefly portraits
OF the flower girls Of Florence. lie leaves for Rome
in few weeks at which place his brother also an ar
fist of great merit, is United States Consul
Mr.. Way, OF Michigan, an intelligent and promis |
ing young artist spent time here in the spring
after visit to Rome and Naples and has just left for