True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-01-25


the artists skill, But We are proud to say
that MIR. James Mcdonald is the son of
Mr.. Isaac Mcdonald, our fellow-citizen of
this place, and was born and raised in this
city. Feeling an interest in the progress
of art at home, and in the success of young
men born on Ohio soil, We publish the fol-
lowing letter from Capt, W. d, Porter,
on the subject, written for the Republican:
EDITOR OF THE REpUBlICAN-Sir :
Permit me through your columns to draw
the attention of those who have any taste
for sculpture to the bust of Mr.. Benton,
by Mcdonald. This latter gentleman |
have seen but three times, and cannot be
considered as being acquainted with him,
but hope he will excuse the liberty a
stranger takes in paying him merely a just
tribute to his talents. The bust of Thos.
II. Benton, by the above artist, possesses
merits far above mediocrity; there is a
truthfulncss of expression in all its features
truth to the life. | was struck with
two remarkable facts in relation to this
cast. The eye and ear were both charac-
teristic of Mr.. Benton. 1t is the misfor-
tune of most young artists, put to study
antique sculpture, and it is no uncommon
thing to see an antique ear and eye, plas-
tered or carved ON the face and head of
a modern statue. The ancients were fan
ciful in their sculpture, seldom sticking
closely to any one natural object, but on
many instances making up their tout en-
yemble for variety of object. We, there
fore, find many copyists, but few originals.
Among the latter, We can safely place such
men as Powers, Greenough, and Clark
Mills. Permit me to state here, that Nc
Donald, too, may be classed among them,
! for like them, he has followed u single OBJ
ject of nature.
, The artist could not have selected a
more difficult task than to have attempted
to portray in plaster or marble, the Inca
ments of Mr.. Benton's face His features
are marked and bold. To mould such a
subject, the characteristics of expression
necessary to be developed, must be correct
or it becomes a caricature. For young
artist, then. to have undertaken this, was
at most, bold attempt, and that attempt
has been perfectly successful. Having
had the good fortune to visit those places
throughout the world, renowned for fine
statuary, l have had an opportunity to see
and Judge of the beauties others read of,
and by comparison, Mr.. Mcdonald may
we'll felicitate himself on his success in the
plastic art. have heard that these busts
sell for but ten dollars. The time, trouble
and talents required to develop bust O.
the character made by Mr.. Mcdonald
meets at that rate with but poor reward
! We only find here and there great sculp
tors. These men have always at first beer
self-taught, and were compelled to remain
with but few exceptions, long while il
obscurity. The talent for soul pture is ont
of that character but seldom manifested il
any community. In Mr.. Mcdonald, St
Louis possesses young man of no ordina
ry talents. He may yet (and there is il
my mind no doubt of it,) live to fasten il
immortal fame the lineaments of many O
our great men. The subject selected b,
him is happy one for many reasons. Ii
the first place, Mr.. Benton, like all of ou
statesmen of long standing, has becom
identified with the history of our country
in many respects he is a remarkable mar
, and among his characteristics is his oppc
sition to monuments of stone or marble
, His features are bold and we'll marked, an
t there is certainly strong expression in h
= face, hard to depict, and yet Mr. McDonal
has been enabled not only to fasten ii
features correctly on the plaster, but thcl
is the expression, life-like.
Yours, with respect,
! W. D. PORTER.
Capt. P. is said to be well qualified
form an intrllirent Indictment i'm rpsnect