Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-12-15
RANDOLPH ROGERS, AMERICAN SCULP-
TOR

In briefly announcing, few days since, the seec.
ton of Mr.. Rogers to complete the work, for the
Virginia Washington Monument, that was left unfn
sbed by the lamented Crawford, we ntmated that
we should refer more particularly to the works Of
Mr.. Rogers. However strongly commended as he
was to the Governor and commissioners by the warm
eulogums of intelligent Americans, familiar with his
| studio and its works at Rome-however fsvorably
were they impressed by the modest bearing of the
man and by the fact that, although not son of Viz
GINA, he was worthy son in,law OF the Old Domin-
on having married one of the brightest and fairest
! of her daughters, herself crowned "Queen Of Love
and Beauty sta brilliant tournament in the State,
few years ago-still, they did not decide to appoint
him to the responsible task until they had satisfied
themselves of bis fne genius and high merits by care
full examination of faithful photographs of most OF
his works. His exquisite marble statue of Ruth,
we had the pleasure Of admirng asw weeks since, at
Mr. Stuarts residence of 20th street and Fifth
Avenue, New York. Some idea may be formed Of
| the excellence and popularity Of this work, and OF
the gifted artist, when it isknown that "Ruth" has
been repeated six times in marble and sold in va:
rous portions of the United States the original being
now in Paris. The boy on the Ice has been re.
peated seven tmes-"Cupid breaking his bow"
twice-and the "Nyda" Ave times. This last statue
is peculiar favorte of 1t represents tho blind
girl of Pompe escaping from the desolation OF vol
canic eruption, with staff in one hand and the other
to her ear, guiding herself by sound.
Of Rogers other statues We may refer to "lsaac'
and John Adsms," the latter of which be executed
for the Mount Auburn Chapel-the statue of Otis
for the came place having been assigned to Crawford
Rogers has also made fine Indian group Of Atala
extracting thorn from the foot OF Chactas-taken
from Chstesubriands "Ataa." His beautiful bss.
relefs of "Rschel and Jacob at the Wei" and Day
and Night" have been repeated several times.
But the piece of Rogers, in our opinion, is
the bronze door for the extension of the United States
Capitol now in successful progress in the studio OF
Mr. Rogers at Rome. The two bronze doors for the
new United States Capitol were given respectiveyto to
Crawford and Rogers-thus evncing high apPrecis-
on of the genius and taste of these two distinguish
ed American sculptors. Of Mr. Crawford's designs
for the door, we have seen no sketch-but We have
studied, with pleasure and admiration, the photo.
graphs Of Rogers exquisite work. Thinking that q
description would be not Inappropriate especially as
they embrace of the deepest historical interest,
We proceed 10 70 someWndt lnto oetais'
The door leading from the present Hall OF Repre-
senaves to the South wing of the Captolis to be OF
bronze twenty feet high by ten wide. 1t is oompos'
ed of eight square pannes flour on each side) and
surrounding arch. The pannels are filed with alto
reeuo representations Of the most prominent scenes IN
the life of Christopher Columbus, beginning with his
first application for assistance to the Court OF CASTLE
and Aragon aud rising regular succession through
the stormy acts Of bis eventful life to the great
triumph of bis science knowledge and courage, as
achieved in the discovery Of the nsw continent which
he had predicted sy beyond the hitherto untraversed
waters. Tbis event is we'll conmemorated in 8
crovpine arch, and truly may it be called an arch Of
triumph and glory, not alone for the importance OF
the discovery made of land, where people were one
dav 10 be the wonder and admiration Of earth, nor
for the dangers braved and passed the haven won,
but that he had combated and conquered the pride,
the ignorance and the prejudces q men, crossed the
ocean Of passion and avarice, more difficult, by far
to navigate than the painless seas through which he
had .teered his successful course, calming and en-.
tightening, by the same mighty influence, the one
while he CO passed and described the other. But
alas for human life, with its lights and shade W., iti