Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-09-27
INTERESTING SKETCHES OF ART-NEWs,
.Jiiory cf tic Enqnirer:

FLORENCE. Aug. 1V, 1859.
pro,uiscd YOU at least one letter from this
cav and beautiful city. but it is an engage
mcnt very difficult to be kept There is so
much TO see; so much To occupy and excite; such
variety such 4 confusion Of news, politics,
religion and art, that the mind and attention
arc hurried from one to the other with little
chance of fixing satisfactorily OH any. had
thought, for va;rctyS sake, ! would from here
give YOU Il change Of subject, rs Italy pre-
scnts many. whic!', to sor'c OF your readers
might he more acceptable than that dwelt on
already 80 Frequently. But second thoughts
(proverbially the bcsU tell Inc that in Florence,
as in Rome artists arc located, and works origl'
mated, which claim an interest i'll Virginia slini'
lar to those which have been described in the
eternal city.
TO the artists, them Of Florence, let this let
ter be devoted
\ short drive through Il clean, and what to
nc was novelty, 4 new looking street. brought
Inc to small and beautiful garden, secluded
behind which was the large and well iillcd
studio of Hiram Powers whose name requires
no cxpanation whose fame 10 culogy
The artist was unfortunately not at home,
but among his works, which are numerous and
varied. spent time Of great interest and en-
ioy,ncnt First and most prominent among the
claimants to our attention and admiration. was
the Masonic statue cf Washington, just finished
for the brotherhood in Fredericksburg, Va. 1t
is life size. think. and ornamcntcd with the IN
si,nia of the order. The marble is the cearcSt,
the prrcst. the most beautiful ever bchcld,
and the face perfect likeness the Father we
ycncrate so highly and love 50 we'll The dress
was one in which had never seen General
I Washington represented; of course it had the
charm OF novelty. and for tie purpose, and 10,
the persons .or which it WAS ordered, 1t had
also entire appropriateness. 1t seemed quite
complete, and will no doubt he IN Virginia al
no distant day. -,
Next in importance and interest TO the
Washington, was tie model of Webster IN
tended believe rs the pendant OF the JONI
! Adams. also described in the studio OF Mr.
! Rogers in Rome and ordered for the city o
Boston. 1t is like its counter part OF the he
roic size. and in the costume usually worn py
I the original.
| had heard 80 much Of this effort Of Mr.
Powers. that had quite an anxiety to view 1t
and think after doing 50. that no anlmadver
sion on this subject is warranted by Justice
The dress is not classical but strictly accor
ding to truth, and presume according t.
orlier. and, if directors Of public works vii
sacrifice the artistic to the true. they ought 4
| least to be satisfied with the result. howevc
consider Mr.. Powers forte is the beautiful
and the IDEAL 1t is TO his female figures III
will be indebted for his niche in the temple
fame. His Greek slave needs neither com
mcnt or culogy; its grace and elegance hav
gone far to do away the prcjudiccs oil on
! Northern brethren. ard reconcile them to stare
,y in at Least one OF it phases | left TIM
interesting studio with much reluctance, in
tending TO return for another examination
which. alas f. never accomplished
4 morning was well employed in visit t.
our countrynan, Alexander Gait, and foun'
him. rs usual, occupied and industrious lii
Jefferson, ordered by the State of Virgins
for the University at Charlottesville, is il
an advanced stage Of progress. and prom
iscS to bc Il Sorli Of great merit aud power
1t is an excellent likeness Of the sage OF Mon
ticclIo, and is attircd in the costume to whic'
all who remember him arc familiar. 1t is y
heroic size aml cliisclcd out Of the most beau
tful marble | understand from Mr.. Gait
would not be finished for another year. all
sure il will be much admired when it arrive
At nome. L was HluCii P!elScu "'th =" o
Judge Rutledgc, made for the city OF Wash
ington it is noble and expressive was al
shown the plaster model Of Baptismal f2n'
made for St Paul's Church at Richmond, Va
The marble work was on it, way to -Nmeric:
But my chief Suhjcc! Of admiration, IN thi
collection. was Il half lfiaished study in c!aT-
an ideal of Mr.. Cats nope he will 500
complete it. and send it home on exhibition
i, will enhance his fame anl improve his !or
tune.
Mr.. Harts studio also contains statu
which is an object of interest to our State
particularly to its fair inhabitants:-l mean,
iull.length and very fine likeness Of Hear
Clay, ordered by the ladies' Of Virginia sever;
wears ago. 1t is well-designed, wele%,cated
and will, have no doubt, fully repay the ta
expcctants. 1t is in style, features and co
tune, speaking resemblance Of the 'gre'
Kcntuckian.' as saw him some p years ag'
Mr.. Hart has also some beautiful heads in pla'
ter-Inostly ideal
In my peregrinations also visited a nephee,,
Of Mr.. Harts, bearing the same name IL
was engaged on the bust of brother artls
and seemed to bid fair to be successful IN IN
career he had chosen