Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-01-05
VIRGINIA WASHINGTON MONUMENT

We ars most happy to haveit in our power TO state
that Crawtord's fine statues Of Patrick Henry ana
Thomas Jefferson, together with tho two beautiful
shields representing the Arms o NUGlnla-al intend
cd for the monument on The Capitol Squarearc no"
on their way to America and may b" shortly expect
ed to arrive in Richmond. They woro to leave Mu
Mich abOu, the 10Th of 0rtober-at,er having rccelv
cd tho admiring gaze of at least % O vlsers Ia thu
great Industrial Exhibition for All tierinany, whcl
was opened in Munich for three months und closed oI
the 18th October. Although. according to tho rulc
of the Exhibition, Germany and Austrian Italy. only
could be- represented, the Bavarian Commission de
sired strongly the privilege of exhibiting these
statues that Mr.. Crawford was induced TO CONSENT.
In consequence of the exclusive character of the ex
hibition, American prodgc could hot under
| the jury of Fine Art,-nnd thus no rusdal could be
awarded to the Artist. The Bavurjan Government,
however wishing to do all in its power to express the
high opinion entertained of the merit of the statues
proposed that the sculptor, Crawford, he made Pro-
fessor in the Royal Buvaran Academy of Fine Arts.
The election into that body unanimous and was
Immediately sanctioned by his maiesty, Maximilan
II. This result is highly gratifying. az it opens the
way for future similar houors TO American artist and
assists tho European i'll forming proper estimate OF
American genius.
We understand from intelligent eye-witnesses that
the execution, in bronze Of these stutucs and shields,
cannot be surpassed, and tho quality OF le metal IL
not clualled by that OF any other Foundry i'll Europe"
The colossal bronze statue oi Bavaria, CD feet i'll
height, erected in Munich some two years since nnd
cast ut the Foundry, presents the same beaui.
fu golden hue when first executed, aud is perfect
ly untarnished by the weather.
Mr.. Crawford, in October was in MUNICH, where
he put up in the Foundry the model OF his magn-
cent equestrian statue Of Washington, hremg g-o"e t
in height ready for casting in bronze llec"ntracted
with the Director Of The Foundry for tho casting in
bronze of the equestrian statue within eighteen
months. Immediately after that period II will be rea
dy to be forwarded to America. Prior to s arrival
the Legislature al.d fellow citizens generally
will have un opportunity OF examining the statues Of
Henry and Jefferson, in which the artist, we
hear, has given to his work much fin.
ish as though it were I" lie placed III
gallery, instead Of at considerable heglrt.--
They will be enabled TO See that Mr.. Crawford has
faithfully aud promptly performed his contract
with Virginia, aud within period unpr-ce-
dencd. considering tho magnitude Of the work.
These fine works Of art will speak for them
selves and will secure, at the hands Of our pa
trioc State, the completion OF tho four remaining
statues and six caslosthIs giving To- Nirginiaa mon
ument which, for magnitude and bGauy, exceeds
every thing Of tho kind in the world, it we arc To re-
ly upon the universal judgment Of the thousands who
have seen it.