Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-08-11
EVENING STAR.
AMERICAN ART AND ARTISTS.

Mr.. EDITOR: In perusing your paper of yes
tcrday, was struck with one or two error. iu
tho remarks and allusion, with regard to on,
artists, taken from the h knickerbocker, which,
though of no great Importance, should stand
in need of proper correction in the eyes q
every editor to whom accuracy is dear. i
was, moreover, little impressed to see thai
long list of many of our great men in ar
placed under the head Of New York Artists, u
for the most celebrated therein mentioned
came from other parts of the country fir,
ginia, for instance, claims Mr.. Crawford a:
one Of her sons. 1t is to the whereabouts OF
this latter gentleman that / would particu-
larly refer. Although Mr. Crawford has been
residing for years past in Rome, he has of late
left the Eternal City to return home. On his
way he passed through Munich, that great
capital, so celebrated for its casting founderies
and was received by the Duke, as / have
heard, with the distinction due so great ge.
MUS. As is well known his great equestrian
statue was cast there, and amsgine that we
shall soon have the pleasure Of seeing a mas
terpiece Of our artist.
l crossed the ocean with him on the Fulton,
which arrived at New York on the 18th ult !;
and 1 imagine he is either IN this city or at
Richmond In fact, 1 have heard that he
has established here a temporary studio so
that every lover of art should endeavor to
find him out, and visit his work or works
whatever they be.
The busts Of Mr. Powers, if not unrivaIled,
as you say, are at least unsurpassed. But he
seems to have, of late, 1 might venture to
say, altogether abandoned the making of
busts or rather to further his project, asks
the most exorbitant prices in hopes that be
may receive as few orders Of that character
as possible He might honor you in that re-
spect for 81, 200, but not less. In so doing,
Mr.. Powers has naturally an aim in view, and,
l find true one. As be no longer labors for
his daily bread, his own genius prompts him to
act so; he devotes all his time TO the several
charming statues be has of late been making
His time thus becomes more advantageously,
and at the same time more Interestingly en-
ployed.
The beautiful Pensoroso which saw two
months ago, is nearly cut in marble. His
America, q noble and commanding young fe-
male figure, is undergoing the same process
perhaps for this city or our capitol, which
should be decorated with all that American
genius can produce. He is at present en-
gagged with his California, which, l imagine,
in artistic finish, will surpass any thing he
has yet produced. 1t is at least his favorite.
1 have somewhat dilated in wishing TO in
form you as to the whereabouts of Mr. Craw-
ford and the present occupations Of Mr. Powers.
Yet, allow ne TO express my cordial concur
renee in the opinion that Mr. Page approaches
Titan more than any man living Many
years has he devoted to the study OF that
great Italians paintings sand IL has not been
in vain But | wonder if old Titian-for he
was not far from one hundred years when he
died-took so long time to paint his portraits
And, perhaps, one would suppose that fifty or
sixty sittings somewhat trying to his patience;
vet our artist, one Of the most f. dscinstipg men
living, has a tact of Willing away the time, Of
entertaining you in the most charming man
ner. A great English poet once remarked
that he sat sixty times for him, and was sorry
when they ended. Young Mr. Richards, if
he be the one l aud acquainted with, is now
in Italy, painting a series of pictures, full Of
poetry and beautiful imagination, with the
title of the Difficulties of the Path Of Life.
For years to come he may, for there is every
evidence of it, make onG Of the greatest land
scape painters Of the day.
Yet, Mr.. Editor, was sorry to see ono or
two of our prominent artists omitted. Mr..
Tilton, for Instance, row residing in Rome, is
becoming truly great artist His favoritc
master is Claude, and have no doubt but
that he will succeed in understanding him, in
the same respect as Titan is known to Page.
But might almost say, inferior to none is
Mr.. White. That gentleman studied for sew
eral years in Europe, first at Paris, then at
Dusseldorf, and finally at Florence and Rome
He studied we'll, and attained much. Now in
New York, he is engaged in painting differ
ent historical pictures, all of which must be of
rare mort. Not taking into consideration his
accurate drawing, Mr.. White has gained a
reputation by the force of his coloring, which
he has shown in his Columbus" The
warning to John Smith," and others.
Lastly, not to trespass too much upon your
space, why do L not find the name Of Mr
Read on the list-Mr Read our poet-artist.
who, whilst with beautiful and fertile i'm
agiuatiou he gives to the world GO New Pas
tOral'' and ''The House by the Sea" produces
at the same time some of those charming COM
positions, which for taste and arrangement
are seldom surpassed. If wearied in mind by
constant thought whilst with pen in hand he
writes off those beauties which have charmed
the world, he resorts to his studio, takes in
hand his pallet and brushes, and thus passes
his time amongst his paintings. He who has
read Mr.. Read will doubtless pronounce him
a true poet, a man of exquisite taste and of a
fertile Imagination he who has seen his pic
tures-hut let me mention his ''Lost Pleiades, ~
artistic composition, arrangement of figures,
will 60 and pronounce him an artist, who, for
and graceful drawing, has few or no equals.
Mr.. Read has returned to Italy, / am happy
to say, with many orders and may he not for
get how bis friends impatiently awsit the
next production by which he is to increase
still more his already wide spread reputation,
as poet. SUBSCRIBER.
Washington, August 2, 1856.