Washington sentinel., 1853-10-16
HoUDoN's STATUE OF WASHINGTON.
CIRCULAR OF W. J. HUBBARD.

out of my professional calling, but one consid-
cred duty, inasmuch as circumstances rendered
further delay inexcusable, and no one else seemed
even to think about il:
In the first place, this is the only reliable like
ness OF Washington extant. II is very well
known that Houdon was considered the most en-
inent sculptor of his day and that he fell the i'm
portance and responsibility of the commission is
shown by his requesting Washington TO submit 10
cast of his face and person; which request was
granted, and the artist thereby was enabled to
make complete transfer of the original This was
done in the fity-fonrth year of Washingtons age
and al time when he was resting in the meridian
OF his glory having accomplished the independence
of his country and retired from official life, TO en-
JOY that of private citizen and agriculturist
In the second place, il the first tribute OF
the kind paid TO his wisdom and virtue, and by
the Legislature of his native State, when in its I'M
fancy. and when in extreme poverty, which is
manifested in the negotiation of Franklin and Jef-
ferson with the sculp ptor.
In the last place, the statues location is one Of
great peril, standing II does in the yestbule of
the capitol and Immediately beneath badly con-
structed skylight, which one occasion gave
way by pressure OF ice and snow, masses of which
fell upon the figure; but fortunately il escaped
material injury. The capitol has been several
times on fire; and, IN the event OF its destruction,
the annhilation of this noble legacy is inevitable
there beng neither precaution taken 10 remove it
in case of accident, nor means used TO secure
material record by duplication. II may be added,
that so general have been the neglect and want of
appreciative feeling, that whilst fancfu and Carl
cature representations OF the ilustrous patriot
were flooding the whole United States, and Vir-
gnia's own towns especially, and indeed The very
vicinity OF the Statue ITSELF this State, the pos
SCISSOR of this veriiable monument neither pointed
finger nor raised voice to inform the grateful
and admiring world where the fac-simile face and
figure of the great Father of Freedom could be
found. On the contrary, Virginia SO forgot or be-
Ia IN fbn .,l hsar tai
though priceesstreasure, that she not only watched
with eagerness the production Of but promptly
aided IN distributing pictures and prints, from the
portrait by Stuart; which portrait, from the fame
ofthe artist, became quietly elected supreme ant
thorty. Some effort, however, was made, in
more instances than one, TO subvcrt its popularity;
yet Stuart's reputation whilst in Europe, together
with that which daily spread from pictures paint
ed in this country, rendered his triumph decisive.
Besides Washington's face was recollected by
many surviving intlmates, who strengthened It's
authenticity, and forced into insign6cance pic
lures and artists, whose prctensions We're either
lily surrepttously founded. There does not
in fact, remain doubt respecting the faithfnlness
of Stuart's delneaton; the only objection TO the
portrait, as regards resemblance, which can be
made is one in which the artist had no option and
was therefore irresponsible. But at this partic,l-
lar time, il is matter of the grayest Importance
that well grounded decision should be arrived
at, to determine the proper source to which
uSlS can Apply LOT correct standard.
ought to be, determined by two indisputable
points: one of which is, that Stuart's picture is
rendered unnatural by distortion of the cheeks
and lips-produced by clumsy set offalse teeth,
which the friends insisted upon being worn in
spite OF Stuarts remonstance. 1t may be here re-
marked that the dentist, who had been baggage
master during most of the war; wrote 10 Wash
ington upon hearing Of his intendid visit TO New
York for some such operation. 10 solicit the honor
ofdong the job for his general setting forth
paramount claim, having served so long under his
command. The generosity of Washington in
duced him to submit to the bungler who on all
occasions boasted of his performance, but whose
egotism and ignorance all future time will exc
crate as the cause of rendering otherwise ines
Unable relic worse than useless
The other point, however with due considera-
tion for Stuarts merit, is entirely nsurmountable,
and that is, that the picture was painted too late
in life whereas Houdon took casts for his statue
when Washington was not only in his manly and
intellectual zenith, but had, in a moral sense be-
come phenomenon in humanity; therefore. he
should be represented to the eye when he was
almost as perfect in form as he was supreme in
soul; at time when he had reached the summit
of power and had withstood the temptation Of
profiered pomp and title to seek his recompensc
in the repose and peaceful sphere of a provincial
gentleman.
This date shoaM he sc,itten IA untaaiag light;
and at this date his coaniiynien and State brettyen
ordered his image to 6emade, jnst he was, in e
ptreSt marble.
will extend The view taken Of the subject by
urging that this is not matter which concerns
Amsrirans only, but one in which the whole world
is, will be, interested; for no human being
whist living everreached Washington's eminence,
nor in dying left for memory moral of such SUBJ
lime purity; such, indeed as time through the
worship of ages will exalt almost TO deity
The difficulty Of realizing Washington in any
representations, even in those which are consid-
cred great works OF art is an every day complaint.
The more discriminating have had the tenerty to
call the stupid prints and pictures emanating from
Stuart's portrait, caricatures. 1t may be asked of
what For the world negects 10 ascrbe the de-
formity to the dentist--the attache of the wagon
tran--who, by perpetrating the abominable imita-
ton of good teeth destroyed the indivuality, form,
and expression of noble face and this is sup
posed TO be the only plausible reason for the mex
excusably few statues or pictures in public pos
session. g
II is shameful and melancholy truth that there
is not artistically clever statue, of reliable like
ness, in this vast country, unless Cfreenoughs be
excepted, and to an extent il may, although, un-
happily, it has received an almost undue share of
condemnation on account of its allegorcal con-
fguration; for the head is unquestionably good
however censurable the composition may be.
That accomplished artist used every means to
obtain authority upon which he could rely for
likeness, and his first effort was TO procure cast
of the head of Houdons statue, and a copy of the
picture by Stuart; but, unfortunately, from being
so long surrounded by the works of mythical art
he became incapable of designing for any but a
classic age or sphere-the ideal beauty of which,
his ardent spirit OWNED, would, in the course of
years, win the taste OF this western world and
link it TO chat of the ancient east. This, however
is more poetic than probable; and fear his highly
elaborated colossus will be doomed to everlasting
uupopuarty monument of Washington. Had
Greenough seen more of his own country, and
been familiar with the genius and intellectual
pulse of its people, he would not only have avoided
this shoal, but would have given us a memento
as god-ike as the heathen Jupiter, with more Of
mortal attribute.
That artists generally should resort 10 their i'm
aginations is not in the least to be mnrvelled at
for they the frighful versions of Stuart's pic
ture in every town, gallery, and house the more
refined necessarily therefore, fly to their own con-
ceptions TO avoid the mockcry of an incubus
II is TO be hoped that no ianatical opposition or
witherng Indifference will retard the conviction,
which should be inevitable as 10 the immense
importance of establishing Hondons Statue at
once the only reliable authority eaa0u. trust
its exposition will cface all association of other
images with the name of Washington, and that the
strong impulse universally fell through the whole
country, TO commemorate the great by statuary,