Washington sentinel., 1855-03-16

D6- We find the following tribute to the
genius of our countryman CRAWFORD, the
sculptor, in the correspondence of the London
Art Journal:
A visit to Crawford's studio always seems to
me like peep into the grandest phase of
American life-a phase where her moral energy
and young untamed power are elevated and
sublimated by the highest flights of genius.
But few months back it was my pleasing
duty to describe in this journal colossal monu-
ment Of the noblest conception, dedicated to
the memory of Washington, about to be erected
in the city of Richmond; and now, ere five
months more have passed over our heads, this
wonderful sculptor, as prolific in his powers as
the rich Italian nature in which he lives, is
already finishing second gigantic undertak-
ing. Such wonderful rapidity is too apt, in
unskilful hands, to degenerate into feeble man.
but in the present instance rspidity and perfec-
ton are united, and all must appreciate the
powers of master-mind capable of creating
immortal works-works that will be embalmed
in the history Of his country, and that will form
themselves chief feature in its artistic history
with a propriety and correctness of design
commensurate with the brilliant readiness of
their execution. Excellence, which is usually
only attained by years of weary labor, seems
to rise spontaneously and intuitively at Craw.
ford's bidding. He hits off his marble epics as
a poet would turn a graceful stanza; he calls
forth whole generation of noble and ideal
ised beings, as did Deucalion and Pyrrha of
old-gathering and finging down the stones
that lay beside them, and, by there inspired
touch. created Yes, Crawford is a
wonderful man, gifted with genius vigorous
and ardent as his country's hopes and the con-
sciousness Of possessing such an artist-by
turns fiery and poetic, domestic and dramatic,
ideal and natural grasping every phase Of
sentiment and of passion, and rendering all
with equal truth and fervor, sweeping through
each changing harmony of fancy, and drawing
delicious melodies from all-cannot fail power
fully TO influence the present artistic aspect Of
America-that large-souled and loving mother,
who cherishes all her various children, array
ing herself, so to say, in their individual renown
In the early development Of the destinies Of
that mighty land, life, and the necsssaries Of
life, we're the first considerations. Then came
war, commerce, and agriculture. All the super
abundant energy Of the West was turned to the
possession Of material and palpable greatness.
But now that their essential end has been at
tained, and America fourishes as one of the
most powerful nations in the world, she turns
to worship at the shrine Of Art There is a
great artistic movement taking place in the
great continent. Americans are great travel
ers; they love the sunny South, they are en-
lghtened and prodigal patrons of Art and
artists, and carrying home with them across
the broad Atlantic the traditions Of the elder
sisters Of the universe, gathered amid the
mighty capitals Of the Old World they also
would deck their virgin soil with the finest pro-
duction of native genius-an easy task, while
they possess artists like Crawford, who can
execute colossal monument sixty feet in
height in little more than a year. Many other
works on large scale are in progress BY va
rious artists in different parts Of the State. An
equestrian statue Of Washington is preparing
for New York. and another large statue Of the
same hero is to be placed in the garden Of the
Capitol at Washington. The Capitol itself, one
OF the finest buildings in America, is about TO
be considerably enlarged by the addition Of
two immense wings, each provided with grand
facade on either side the building standing de-
tached in the centre Of park or garden. Doors
in bronze, in the style Of the Florentine baptis-
tery-the gates Of Paradise as Minhael Angelo
called them-are TO be entered, Of which Craw-
ford is TO furnish the designs. Doubtless the
Americans will avail themselves largely Of his
genius in carrying out the whole Of these i'm
portant additions TO their House Of Represen-
tatives. The last work on which he has been
engaged is the pediment Of one Of these new
wings, the first erected and should shrewdly
guess" that when his countrymen see how
wonderfully he has succeeded both in grandeur
and proprety Of composition, they will allow
no other hand TO trace the history of the ma
tional triumpbs. The entire Capital decorated
by his chisel would be noble legacy for the
nineteenth century to bequeath to future ages.