The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-05-14
ART AT ROME-THE DOORS FOR THE CAL
TOL-A BALTIMORE ARTIST.
Ono of the editors of the New York post in

ART AT R0ME-THE DOORS FOR THE CAP
TOL-A BALTIMORE ARTIST
One of the editors of the New York Post, in al
interesting letter from Rome, says:
| found nothing in the studios of the scuptors il
Rome which interested me quite as much as tn
doors which Rogers had been making for the Capi
to at Washington. There seemed to be no diver
slty OF opinion abe ut this work, even anon!
artists. All agree that it is an eminent success
creditable alike to the country and to tn
artist The casts are now at the foundry il
Munich
The life of Columbus is the artists text. He ha
selected what he regards as the nine most pictur
esque events Of the eventtul of the most il
lustrious of navigatOrs, and has appropriated on
to each of the eight panels and the arch of whicl
the door is composed, four panels being on eacl
leaf. Thus each panel contains finished pictur,
in alto relieuo.
The series Of designs commences at the loves
panel on the left, and they are numbered upward!
to the arch-whch is the fifth representation; ther
descending, they are numbered downwards to tht
ninth and last.
No. represents Columbus before the Council O
Salamanca, endeavorng to convince them of thC
existence of another continent, and the possibility
OF discovering it.. Discouraged by their objections
ana onenoed by their opposition he retired to the
convent OF La Rabida, whose prior, Juan Parez
henceOrth became his constant friend From Is
Rabida he entered into negotiations with the Kina
of Portugal and offered him the service Spain had
declined. In the mean time Isabella actuated part
ly by the arguments of the good friar, whose ones
columbus remained, agreed to give second hear
ing to his propositions, and sent him sum of money
to equip himself and purchase mule
No. represents Columbus leaving the convent
on the mule presented by the Queen. He is in the
act OF bidding farewell to the good fathers who
crowd the archways of the portico and cluster
around their friend, giving him their benediction
and not forgetting the refreshment of the poor ami
NAL to whom they are offering a draught of water
oh nyuS Hn1 a1N,,,L he.
bella, after his return to court Columbus stand
In the foreground, the chief figure of the piece anC
with appraised head and outsretched arms is urginc
his suit Ferdinand shows his indifference by lean
ing back IN his seat inattentive, while the arden
Isabella bends forward, eagerly catching ever,
word which falls from the orators ps.
No. a. The departure of Columbus from Palos
the port from which he sailed in quest of the New
World He stands with his left foot planted on the
gang plank, ready to enter the caraval when he
has said farewell to his friends
NO. .. The landing at San Savador-Columbus
occupies the centre of the picture, and is elevated
above the surrounding group. He holds in one
hand sword and in the other the banner of Laor
and Castillo and is taking possession of the country
In the name OF his sovereigns. 1t is the largest OF
the representations, occupying the space of two
panels. The filling up is beautiful and varied: or
the lett hand is the vessel, on which some of the
adventures still remain, then Columbus elevated
on point of rock. Between the caraval and him.
self are ardent Mariners some wading in the wa.
ter, some just touching the land, all in attitudes ex
pressive OF JOY and thanksgiving. To the right the
space on the margin of the picture is filled with In
dians, secretng themselves behind the trees.
No. 6. Erecting the Cross on the island of His
PAMELA.
No. 7. Entering Barcelona on horseback, and in
triumph, on his return to Spain.
NO. 8. Leaving the town of Isabella in chains, a
prisoner, and succeeded in his command by Roba-
dlia.
No. 8. The death of Columbus.
On the rails which divide the panels horizontally
are SIX portrait buss of the historians of that time
VINO wrote about the discovery of America, namely:
Peter Martyr, Las Casas, Diego Mendez, Mendoza
Bernal Diaz and Marco Polo. On the lower rails
are Two ideal busts OF Indians; on the upper are
TWO busts OF fsquaws-making in all ten busts.
On either side of the panels, from the floor to the
arch, are sixteen inches, containing statuettes in
full relief of the distinguished contemporaries OF
Columbus, such as Ferdinand and Isabella Martin
Alonzo Pinzon, Vincent Yanez Pinzon, Don Bar.
thoomew Columbus, Juan Parez, Toscannelli, Juan
Ponce de Leon, an Indian chief and his wife Ana
corvana, &c.-in all sixteen.
Under the statuettes, forming a bracket, are in.
troduced heads of American animals supporting the
plynths of the figures, combined with wreaths OF
flowers and embems of the arts and sciences &c
of America. Over the statuettes are the emblems
OF the three theological virtues Faith, Hope and
Charity, and the emblem of Justice. On the door
posts are alegorical figures, representing the four
quarters of the globe-Europe to the left of panel
W. - ~hod W ILc IclG vi panel NO. AFRICA TO the
right OF panel No. 6, America to the right of panel
No. 8.
The posts are also very richly decorated with
animals, birds, fruit foliage, &c. On the centre OF
the arch above is bust Of Columbus; to the right
is figure of Victory to the left is figure of Fame
Below these figures are arms, helmets, Shields ban
ners, &c, the emblems of conquest.
Such is brief description of the plan of this
charming composition, which every one praises and
which no crticises and that can be said of no.
thing else in Rome that saw. | am sorry TO learn
that Mr.. Rogers is not likely to receive any ade-
quate compensation for his labor on this work ex-
cept in glory, as it is quite certain cost him some
three or four thousand dollars more than his con
tract with the government entities him to-
On my last visit at Rogers studio his men were
engaged in casting the colossal statue of General
Nelson for the Virginia Washington Monument {
spirited and noble figure, suited, indeed in ever,
famous subject. His ''studes" of General Andrew
Lewis and for the decorations for the six pedesta
for the same monument, now also to be seer
here. They are in every way worthy to stand be
side the more illustriOus figures of Washington and
Jefferson, IN the same group, upon which the last
labors of Crawford were expended.
Mr.. Rinehart young Baltimorean, who made a
sudden re equation by group of Night and Morn
ing, now in the possession of Mr. Jacob Albert, OF
Baltimore, has been studying at Rome for the
past year. de is regarded as one of the most
promising young scuptors here. He has just finished
an admirable bust of Henry Stone, of New York
Willis Hall, of New York, also has step-son here.
Mr.. Hanley, who graduated from the studio of Mr.,
Wolff, Prussian sculptor of eminence here, few
months SINCE and is fairly embarked in his
profession. He has made few busts that are full
of promise. Hei only about eighteen wears of age
All who best know him and his family feel most in
in his