The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-07-18
THE ITALIAN DEPARTMENT.

which is very good, and some Of which is hardly de-
serving Of notice. Many of the statues we have seen
are utterly without expression, and are as dull and
as spiritess as unhewn block of marole. But, as
we have said, the department presents creditable
appearance, and when the expected articles arrive
it will be among the first in the Crystal Palace.
SCULPTURE.
Among the various articles displayed in the Italian
department is q statuette of Columbus. This is
certainly work of great merit and as beautiful as
it is novel. The statuette is silver lligree and
closed with glass case. 1t represents Columbus
standing upon half column, helm being fully dis
played behind him, and with one hand he raises
veil from the terrestrial globe, and with the other
points to that portion of it upon which is mapped the
New World. The column which supports the whole
is fligred, with Doric base, and the height of the
entire statuette is about thirty inches The ineness
Of the threads of which the statuette is composed
the remarkable beauty Of its construction and above
ALL the originality of the design cannot fail to elicit
from all spectators the admission that this is work
well worthy Of admiration. Notwithstanding its di.
mnutive size, and the small quantity Of silver of
which it is composed, yet it is valued at one thou
sand dollars. 1t was made by Joseph Bennett, of
Genoa, the most celebrated city in Italy, or per-
haps the world, Tor work OF this Kind.
Viii eve look upon AMI contemplate this statuette,
and revolve in our mind the career Of Christopher
Columbus-follow him seeking aid through Genoa,
Portugal, and England, without success for the re-
azation Of his heaven born conception-after life
of trouble his equipment from Ferdinand and Isa.
bella-his midnight vigils upon the unknown deep
his arrival at San Salvador-and finally his planting
his standard upon new world-how true and
beautiful appears the thought of the ertis, that
veil of ignorance lay upon the globe which the hand
of this immortal navigator lifted up and in teaching
man the lesson of the earth he pointed to an un
known hemisphere.
Another article which is well worthy of notice
among the other tire of the Italians Is eruci
fix, the whole OF which, excepting the arms, is made
from single piece of ivory. 1t is about two feet
long, and work deserving prominent position
among the fine arts, 1t was madc-by monk, and
purchased at a cost of twenty-five hundred dollars.
This is apparently enormous sum for such trea-
sure; but it is reasonable valuation of it, consider
ing its artistic merits. The countenance, expressing
the agony of death, the calm repose of the
muscles Of the body after the spirit had passed
away, and the nailpierced hands and ieet, all vivid
ly remind one of the trials Of our Saviour when he
bore the blows and bullets of his prosecutors and in
obedience to the cry of the multitude Cruelty him,
cruelty him." Ci,d upon the cross. Those who
visit the Crystal Palace will not regret the time
given to the contemplation Of this admirable work.
Near the crucifx above alluded to is another piece
of sculpture in ivory which is also illustrative Of
sacred history. It consists Of five figures, the Blessed
Virgin, the Saviour, Mary Magdalen, st. John and
ST. Elizabeth who are represented as mourning over
the body of Jesus after his descent from the Cross
The Virgin holds the dead body Of Christ In her
arms and Mary Magdaen is in the act Of kissing his
feet. The other two stand by the side Of these
three, and the entire group is most admirably
Executed. Two Of tho figures, the Virgin and tho