The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-11-16
Greenough's Group.

oughs group. and placing il in the scale OF merit far be-
low other satuay in this city AS to The competency of
the criticism their rstc merir. those having the
statues referred will draw their conclusions Stat
ues are sometimes 80 far below medocrity that they are
not worthy of criticism, they indicate no talent OF
hope OF Improvement ia the artist; whilst other works.
though faulty show talent or originality, and are
" criticised to the benefit OF the artist To be entled 10
render Just decision on the merits OF statue or group,
much good taste, liberal mind, and the privilege Of
having seen fine works of art required those possess
ing these advantages know where point out the
lis or demerits or be silent The writer of the article
erred TO selects the group in relieve, in the panel over
the door leading from the Rotundo to the Hall OF Rep
resenatives the best work of genius Of the kind in
Washington. II is not the best production in the
Rotundo the drawing is decidedly bad; the spinal col
umn of the Indian welding the tomahawk is passing
up the side instead of the OF the back; and Col
Boones arm dislocaed The drawing OF these figures
shows great exaggeration in the muscles and iuaccu-
racies in their anatomy Legislators and high func-
,onaries OF the government may select subject de-
sired TO be represented in s,atuary but when they
are required to choose the most talented artist, they
find themselves at fault except in instances This
difficulty of selecting proper artists, felt by the
choice to the Royal Academy. The artists whom they
recommended employed. and thus was insured the
seleslon of the very best talent, without reference to
onaliiy excepting where the King nterered. which was
but in few instances We have not national academy,
but we have that which will answer our purpose as well
The Academy of Arts, IN New York, boast OF many
able artists as members, with the talented A. B. Durand
as their president When Congress desire works OF ART
let the subject be referred committee, who eadi
" communicate with the Academy, and receive the de-
sired information 10 artists who have acquired sui
Gent eminence to be entitled to employment from the
government This will insure and be precau
,ionary step which will not be regretted II is supposed
that Congress employs the best talent and that the work
executed for them is fair specimen Of the state of the
art for that PERIOD
In sculpture America can boast OF s native talent al.
ready cultivated, such Crawford. Powers, Hart, and
ethers although compelled to seek employment in Italy.
II Congress will require their works of art TO be
cued in Washington it will do more towards develop
ing the now dormant talent than the introduction oil
many statues from abroad. The accessories of the stu
do will follow the artists, and the present want OF assist
ants will be remeded We have plenty OF marble-give
us the operatives. and will progress II may be said
where are the antiques TO study and cultivate tastes !
We answer, in Europe, where they will remain and
we must be satisfied with casts therefrom. Take from
Italian artists the patronage of foreigners, and in few
years Italy would have few artists Why should we not
have our work done at homel Why not induce the art
isls native and foreign, settle among and thus sur
mount all difficulties. and take high pos,ion1 Every
subject selected will. if offered several for de-
signs and models, be handled differently, both in con-
ceplion and execution The artist possessing cultivated
mind beyond The mere mechanical part OF his art will
handle his subject in such 10 give the proper
feeling required perpetuae the event desired; where
as another, who may be equally competent 10 copy
nature. cannot conceive the attitude and grouping
sary TO show high state OF refinement, work
may be wrought where action is required; be
TOO tame where composure or dignity IS desired.
Had the subjects given for the relieves in the Rotundo
been designed by skilful artists of them would
not have been gross and told tale al the recital Of
which philanbrops,s shudder. Although their lands
were necessary us, yet do not hand down posieiy
by having il scuplured in stone the very walls OF the
Roupdo OF the Capitol deeds Of oppression towards
the aborgines How plainly j, read by the Indian
Who with representative, walking through the splendid
halls and admirng the grandeur Of the majestic pile.
turned with energy the representative and said, "See,
over that eastern door represented receiving you
as brothers, and offering you food and there (pointng
10 the northern door you making a treaty OF
friendship with us and over that western door
represented as saving your life; whilst the last,
which leads TO the Hall OF Representatives, you
wardng us BY taking our lives" This little incident has
been mentioned 10 show how far superior Greenoughs de-
sign is can never be severely criticised by abort
gnes II is refined chaste and beautiful, and decidedly 10
the point but evidently understood by the writer OF
the article in the In,efgent. female and child, wife Of
pioneer of the far West, is vending her way through
the forests being weary the side of rock
whilst steahiIy, and unobserved by her, savage APP
proaches within striking distance, his topahawk uplit
ed and ready TO descend. powerful and hardy hunter,
equally unobserved. approaches The Indian and lmme
daely pinions him by the nrms, and holds him as firm
v as though bound with understanding in the entire
group beautiful conception, far above the views OF
binary critics The figure OF the female is chasie and
beautiful in the extreme the face is exquisileyou may
read volumes in the counienance she does not know
that The Indian is near her her thoughts are with her
children far away in her cabin che is weary and
houQb,ful perhaps the idea Of prowling savage may
cross her mind The Indian is parayzed he IL affected
bv powe beyond his conception MS he IL grasped by
the arms from behind and drawn against the chest Of
tbe hunter his head is thrown back, and looks up.
wards into the face OF the white man ~ search OF the
cause of so powerful and instantaneous an action This