Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-11-17
CRAWFORD AND HIS CONTRACT.

NO" that the lamented and distinguished Crawford
10 no more his great work of adjoining the monument
to Washington being still incomplete, the duty again
derolves upon the Legislature h.r agents, of sp-
pointing an artist 10 carry out that design. II il said
that MIR. Crawford, in bis will, named Mir. Hart as bis
successor but whether he intended this merely as d
letter OF recommendation, believed that. when in.
capable personally of executing the work. be had the
privilege of doing by proxy, does clearly ap.
pear. Without doubt Mr.. Hart is happy in present.
ing his claim thus endorsed, but when that gentle.
mans past datory conduct ia remembered, 1t will be.
come matter OF grave consideration as TO the pro-
liability of his ever executing the work, should it be
entrusted to his hands; for it s we'll known fact,
that ten years at least have elapsed since he engaged
to carve the statue of Henry Clay, but he has not
yet We believe, put chise to marble in urtherance of
that design. We can scarcely imagine that Mr..
Crawford thought he possessed the absolute right tc
bequeath the completion of his work. The distinc.
ton between contract with an artist and one with
mechanic is very marked and obvious. In the one
case, the agreement may be executed by others than
the original c0venanee without detrimen TO any one;
but in case d stipulation is implied or expressed for
the work of the employers orH hand founded on the
confidence IN his Individual genius and capacity
therefore, as soon as he becomes unable, by death
to effect HE design the compact ceases, es Instant,
aud the power of appointment reverts TO the contrac.
tor, who may enon that the work be not touched hy
other hands until examined, when, if the unfinished
subject proves to be satisfactory compensation, pro
tdo is paid and the balance Of the purchase money
offered to another artist for the completion thereof
This Mr.. Crawford must have known The artist has
no right 10 any event, 10 intrust the work to model
lers or workman in his or any other studio, unlees
present himself, for however well prepared may be
his sketches or preliminary models the true spirit Of
the master hand will be absent, if the execution of
the design ia delegated to the assistant or pupil
Now, besides crossing the Atlantic several times after
receiving hs commission, Mr.. Crawford was incapa.
bic of labor mental or physical for nearly year be-
fore his death. Yet he has, since commencing this
work. produced colossal equestrian statue, two fig.
II feet high, several basso relievos besides fulfil
ing heavy engagements with the General Govern
ment, and we understand the plaster casts of two
other figures are now in bis studio ready for casting
Hence we are bound to conclude that the statues in
progress of completion have been, and now being
executed principally by pupils, or tyros in the art;
Mr. Crawford, doubtless, having furnished sketches
of his conceptions otherwise he must have been en-
dowed with superhuman qualifications to accom-
plish the above in 80 short time. Our sculp-
tors studios have assumed too much the work.
shop stamp, and in the most iustrious Instances
there have been manifested an impatence and
mechanical force that threatens US with
statues by the gross rather than the limited mum
Der which artistic labor and skill would render un.
avodabe for fine art is not what is termed useful
art, any more than epic poetry is household prose-
An instance of the former may occur in an age, but
there exists superabundance of the latter for all
ages Our object. however, is not to criticise what
has been done but to suggest caution in receiving
that as the fruit OF Mr.. Crawfords labor which may
have been merely the eAncutivu or lilo .-ssss,;"r.
and to advise circumspecton in the choice of an ar
tist to finish the work which has been so happily
commenced. Every one will recognize the great
advantage of employing, if possible, an artist who
will complete this design here in our midst, instead
of ncurring the unnecessary expense, inconvenience
and dangers OF transportation across the Atlantic, by
making a contract TO be executed in Europe Such
An one is on the spot, willing and capable of doing
Justice to the subject with every facility and appl-
ance of his art at hand We aIlude toJ. w. Hubbard,
who only waits the opportunity of stamping the
originality of his genius upon great work to the
admiration and reverence of all beholders. While
Vrgnians are VIGOROUSLY the most egotlstical people
on EARTH and are always loud in hyperbolical praise
Of their State, and everything that pertains to II
yet as sure as any work, useful ornamental is in
requstion they are not satisfied unless it is Of for
eign manufactures 1t is hoped, that at least in one
instance We will conquer that unpatriotic and most
remarkable disposition which has so universally pos
sessed us, by showing just appreciation of our own
Artist thus melting the energy and ambition OF oth
ers. VIRGINIA.