The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-11-10

n,pnpr THE AMERIcAN SCULPTOR.

,ri nsy distinguished American sculptor has loea-
"a himself in this city for the present and he has sue
oeI In obtaining very favorable situation Tor his
,,do in the room in the basement OF the Capitol
ldno formerly occupied by the Commissioner OF Pub
n, RuLlines Since his return from Italy, where he
t several years he has taken up his residence IN BAL
,oro and the papers there have spoken In very Hat
ling terms OF his productions The national metropo-
~ however opens wider field for the development OF
a. and we hope Mr. b may here meet that encourage
,oent which his works merit
On visiting his studio struck at once with the
suty and originality of the conceptions of this artist
t less than with the fidelity and truthfuness TO nature
18th which they had been Embodied In outward FORM
us has a number of models but none OF his finished
II. here The Fisher Girl (" which has been so
oueh admired il now ON exhibition In virginia. ana is
aotob here in the course of about two weeks. These
ados howeyer show the idea in the mind of the ar
M and are sufficient to indicate genius of no common
er In the Fisher Girl we have representation of that
,oa,t If farm which is so and SO highly appreca-
"a Che sits ouetly mendng her net, innocent of
M or crinoline and might very well be taken for Eve
a. there was iishpond in Paradise, on which point we
believe Milton gives US no information
.y,une America is another expressive work, indi-
tino the characteristic quality OF this nation boy,
syeng in sense Of freedom and impatient of restraint,
has Invested himself of his garments and throwing him
self in careless and graceful attitude ON the ground,
soi,es a twjg which he uses as pencil and is writing
t word Liberty on the earth. The whole expression
Of this figure is in keeping with the idea indicated
The celebrated sCoquettc inculcatcs moral lesson in
bappy manner She stands In easy attitude, toying
with human heart, which she holds in her left hand,
while in her right hand is arrow, with which she Is
apparcnty about aceac the heart for her own amusc
mcnt The expression of her countenancc shows that
she intent her cruel sport and just in her pathway
lies rose upon which she is evidently about to place
her foot close examination however, shows that the
rose conceas thorn and that retributve justice is
speedily about to oycrtake her This fectous concep
ton is well rendered by the artist and had he given to
the public no other work. would be sufficient to entitle
him To a niche in the temple of Fame Tho statue OF
which this is the model is exhibition in Mobile
and another is in progress which has been ordered by
gentleman in st. Louis
There are also in Mr. Barbees studio several very fine
buss Among these are busts of Mr. Philip b. Thomas, OF
baltimore the first president of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad Company and Mr., and Mrs. Ehds, OF ST. Louis
which are pronounced excellent kcnesses There is also
bust representing pride the sconful and supcrcilious
EXPRESSION of whose countenance speaks for ITSELF and
another representing Gratdc which rises out OF the
leaves of the caprcua flower, being embematic of the
same sentiment This made for Mr.. Bruce, one of
the members of the Virginia State senate, and warm
friend Of tho artist
We omitted to mention that Mr. Barbce is native of
Virginia. and it proposed by his friends that the State
should render some fitting acknowledgment to the genius
of It's distinguished by ordering statuo of Madison
to he made by him bill was before the Virginia egs
ate its last session, appopiatng ten housand do
lars for this object but it not ached, and remains
among their unfinished business. We hope such tasti
monial will be rendered. and that Mr. Barbee will not
perencc in his the truth of the provorb that
prophet hath honor in his own country Let Virginia be
the first to recognise and honor the genius of yirginan
sculptor and then let the Capitol of the nation be adorned
with national work from his studio.