Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-06-12
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and true merit justly appreciated hope wealthy old
relative at home who takes charge of the affairs of State
as also private connoisseurs will in looking out for what
is excellent in art bear in mind that America has pro-
duced few good artists well Italy and throw aside
the absurd prejudice in favor Of all talent which is not
the growth Of our soil and Of the present age.
In letter from Florence gave you account of
the statue Of Ruth, by Mr. RoDoERs, of New York The
snow in Rome where this very talented artist has per-
manently taken up his residence. Already it is well
blocked out in MARBLE and promises only from the
intrinsic merits Of the work ITSELF but from the purity and
beauty Of the marble, to be in all respects most arac-
tive production During the progress of the mechanical
part Of the process THAT Of cutting in marble Mr.
Rodgers has employed himself some works of lighter
character, one Of which is very charming design repre-
senting Cupid disguised with the mercenary love Of the
present day, breaking his bow The figure is that of
beautiful child four five years Of age, seated bed
of flowers, supporting himself with arm, while with
the other he pulls the bow toward him. the end being
caught in the bend Of the lower Leg and the foot of the
upper leg pressed against the middle enable him
to break the bow quiver Of lies at his back,
which he has cast Of in despair Of having further
for it. The slight scarf by which it carried falls
the lower part Of the body and forms the only
drapery An which he has just shot from his bow
lies by his side broken, the point having struck against
coin instead Of tender and loving heart at which the
little god always aims The expression Of the face adj
mrable, giving just the right idea Of childish disgust
mingled with that mschieyous spirit which historians,
poets and lovers have attributed to the hayward boy who
deals in hearts So weconceved is the whole thing that
but suspect the author Of having dipped little
into another book besides that Of heather mythology
the strange book Of nature in which reads
of joy and pain and learns that there delightful
little beings in this world, most "uncertan, coy, and
hard to please Mr. Rodgers has also conceived very
happy thought, which he has already developed in
SKETCH of representing Winter and Summer in their most
pleasing phases Winter appears in the form Of boy,
who with loose hood thrown his head and draped
to suit the season. just making his first essay upon the
ice. With hand he holds to the stump Of tree
the edge of pond afraid let 90 lest he should fall
foot nearly supports him. while the other timdly
touches the ice to test its strength The face is that Of
sturdy headsrong little fellow who has off from home
against parental authority, and is delighted with the
vey of the enterprise while rather fearful of the result
Summer is represented by nude figure of the size
about to plunge into stream of Flowers grow
upon its banks and is overhung by shrubbey giving
pleasing of shade and repose Both of these de-
signs certainly original any thing be such
subject; and, well as judge by the sketches
evnce high talent for expression of ideal character and
WILL when completed form two most pleasing works. each
distinct necessary but bearing the relationship
to the other as the seasons which they represent
In the studio of Mr.. MosR, another of the American
artists in Rome had the pleasure of seeing several
good things chief among which is his of Pocahon
tas, not yet finished. 1t is sufficiently completion
however to show very clearly that it viii be work Of
much merit The point in the history Of the Indian he
rne intended to be represented is where she is about
embrace Christianity shall give you further account
of Mr.. Moser's works perhaps in my next.
Mr. Tn 1acG al &c Iaf
ferson. 1t is in plaster and attracts large number
of visitors, both English and American His Patrick
Henry is noble work; but it is surpassed possible,
by his Jefferson The drapry of the latter loose cloak
gives perhaps greater dignity to the form and admits of
freedom than the old style of Costume in which
Patrick Henry appears But each bears the impress of
hand in the one, the predominant character Is
profound thought dignity, and repose; in the other
boness energy, and inspired eloqusnce These statues
deserve be ranked among the finest that have been
produced in modern times Virginia may be proud Of
upon the pedestal of which such workssa
these are to stand There is encouragement in the
belief (which do not hesitate to avov) that the exhibit
ton of the Powers Greek Slave formed from which
may date approach to the true appreciation of art in
America and that these statues by Mr. Crawford win
give it an additional impulse. One such work the
Greek Slave and such the Jefferson win do
towards imbung the popular mind with that genuine love
Of without which it cannot exist than all the essays
that written and all the public institutions that
attempted form the standard Of perfection They
essays in themselves that all Of and feeling
can read and understand. They the nucleus upon
which gradually but surely grows. One glance at
such works goes directly to the heart and inspires
more permanent love for the art than years OF uphill
toll in the paths Of learning Mr. Crawfords Orpheus,
and his beautiful group entitled Hebe and Ganemede
too we known need description His fine ideal statue
of Flora is nearly finished in marble. But of oil his
cent productions strike favoraby than
exquisite little group which he has just completed entitled
the Babes in the Wood" illustrating Cowpers poem,
that touching fresde that always brings back
to the days Of youth know of nothing beau
fu affecting than the deathsleep Of these little inno
cents and in looking upon their fair faces exquisitey
conceived by the artist pure and natural gently
touched with suffering, like the quiet sleep Of child
hood and yet true to that sleep from which they
wake in the second fe all the sympathes
Of early youth revived and the first fresh swell Of early
sorrow fills the heart again. and reminds that there
are thoughts that may be driven inward by realities
Of the world but wthered up that something of the
child is left in the hardest of u.s. and happest
are when 1t is renewed The Babes in the Wood
may be read as chapter from Swedcnborg
Mr. J. r. TnTos young artist from Maine, has paint
ed two very good landscapes Of Tuscan scenery
view of the tow Fesoe and the other view Of Flo
renee from Of the neighborng hills The eoloring
soft and and the general tone cvnces appre