Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-05-13
RANDOLPH ROGERS STATUES.

in the dress oil Virginia rlileman-lIiileeu
hunting shirt, lcgyngs and mocasns-and,
when completed, will be holding Il rife i'll
the hollow of the arm Mr. Rogers is fortunate
in having such beautiful costume to dress his
hero in Nothing can be more becoming or bet
ter adapted to sculpture. When we also con-
slider the energy, yigor and spirit Of the SKETCH
as we'll as the Southern type which the artist
has So well portrayed, We have no doubt that
the Lcris will be one of the most classic and
beautiful statues on the Monument. To show
the propricty Of dressing Lewis in the rifle
mans costume, we quote what Washington
Irving says in the 24th chapter list yolume) Of
his life of Washington.
! Ills (WaShington'S, troops lwcrc Scantily
supplied with rcgincntal clothing. The wca-
: thcr was opprcs>ivcly warm. He now con-
ccivcd the idea of cquipping them in the light
Indian hunting garb and even OF adopting it him.
self Two companies were accordingly equip
ped in this style and put under the command
Of Major Lewis 10 headquarters. 1T is m I'M
becoming dress. own, for an officer. writes
Washington but convenience rather than
show. think, should he Consulted The cX-
pertinent was successful. The dress takes
very well here writes Colonel Bos1uct,
and, thank God We see nothing but shirts
and blankets Their dress should be of
one pattern for thi, expedition Such was
probably the origin of the American rifle
dress. afterwards so much worn in warfare and
modelled on the Indian costume.
In another part of the work Irving speaks
Of the irinscl frocks or rifle shirts and round
hats.
We are happy to learn that the statue of
Gen. 71ohta. Nti,oa j, completed and nearly
cast in plaster 1t also is very highly spoken
Of The statue of Georye Mason was success
! fully cast in bronze several months since, and
is now almost completed Miller (the Director
Z of the Founiry at Mu"ich) writes that it vii!
be at the >ca.boarjby the lst of June. If so, III
the month of July we may look for it in Rich
mond. The Ny~knN is being moudcrcd, and
will he very soon cast in bronzc Mr. Rogers
expects to send photographs of the sketches
for the trophies on the outer. square pcde>'
tal<. We have before us photograph of the
upper panel of Rogers bronze door for the
United States Capitol. 1t is an exquisite work
OF art and shows the perfect manner in which
Rogers works are finished. Mr.. Rogers has
not only shown Great genius in the conception
Of his noble works, but has also exhibited an
Industry and rapidity Of labor highly credIia'
bic to him
We Yesterday published very interesting
letter dcscribin. the American Painters in
Rome" below we insert another letter, equally
attractive. referring to Rogers splendid tr'
umphs in sculpture
scULPToRs IN ROME RANDOLPH ROGERS.
To Mc Eiitors Of tie Enq"jr'r:
write from impulse. not from method,
which must account for one letter so closely
following another, and must also plead my ex-
c,sc for nv sudden change Of subject in com
, mcncinC to speak Of the sculptors ere had
finished the catalogue of the painters OF Rome
To these will return at some future period
; lint inst now all the world is visiting the ate
Ucr of Randolph Rogers. and every tongue
loud in praise of his admirable works. In thl'
General enthusiasm the artists take part. Mr.
: Gibson. the celebrated English sculptor, mad,
visit to the studio Of Mr.. Rogers. in colnpa
ny with the Prince of Wales and his accom-
uiishcd Governor, Col. Bruce. Mr. Gibson
pronounced the doors glorious, "a magnificent
work = but with the practiccd eye OF one lon=
in the profession, he Immediately detected 'n'
rlrc merit OF Il little sketch made for the State
Of Virginia. lie declared ii to be master
piece. uniting the grace OF the Antique
school with the spirit and accuracy Of tho
new. Lehman, the most celebrated OF th'
German painters, expressed the Same OPINION
and in my visits to our american brothers o
the pencil. each one, in speaking of the rar
and the mc:toriollS. advised me to sec Rogers
sketches. as they were worthy of the highcs
If praise. At first determined not to go unit
: l,al concluded the subjects promised and 6c
e .rn. But when remembered I" whom wa
c writing. AMI far whom these works were d'
signed. concluded now was the accepted tin'
n that your readers, having interest and Owner
d ship in these particular objects, would hot III
Vt TO take pleasure III their description, perhap'
l. more now than when they had obtained pos
:. session and were able to judge for themselves
n Accordingly, armed with determination |
'i take no denial repaired. one line afternoon,
sc the Via Marguta and solicited the lavor VINO
% Know many artists unwiinsly grant oi an IL
lc mission 10 their modelling room .Aitcr som
hesitation. my request was complied WIN u
te doors were thrown open. and the TWO sKetch'
" desired to see were placed before me. The
TO both represent the same person. General Levi
e. of revolutionary mcmory-the arransehe'
ID Of the costume alone making the difference b
tween them; but only an actual observer can b
ID lcvc what change the addition OF that iiowii
rL., ptnfu fns
3, sketches for colossal statue and are lntehn'
=. to be photographed for the Judgment ana ae'
!. sion Of the authorities in Virginia 10 WHO
~ they are to be submttcd-but nhlNc -
{, usual rough sketch of an artist they are inns
~ cl to the minutcst line and bear 'hc san
u" affinity to the enlarged cast tliat Perirc' "
,c mature does to portrait why 50 oinuch ut'
sual care and labor has been expended ! ca
ny not say. but it tells iorclbiy TO the uleuucao
cyc and will always be highly ornamental
q" the studio. have. since my visit' seen
nhotorraphs, but all photographs, even l
"" best, are miserable things and never 90 Jus,'
he 70 the originals. They are taken from t
cir o5asi,r. itSclfa very imperfect rcpre'entati
an of the cl,y: and when we know the pho
rroph aran falls below the plaster, We m,
'ei make great allowance for representa-
IL which has undergone WF.e piocIHSes 'i u1
re. r;or,tious. But to return to the sketch
no. no. represents General, then Major lie"
in the heat and enthusiasm of action, with
all stretched hand gra>ping the isnited bra
Is: ready to apply it to the ordnance. The
ncs t,lc is full of fire ard spirit; the uplifted
= ready for the signal, the raised head H
ur. eager eye, and firm expression of the mou
" show concentration Of power, energy
determination rarely combined either in nat
or art. Fortunately for the individual b
no. portrayed, fortunately for us whose .st cna =
tn. pion he was, in him these attributes met
md worked together The dress is tha, worn .n
ras his corps during the particular time 'nC calIa Ii
''' commentaries; hun;inc->hirt, Sil'c ca.,r
rifle Uniform 1t is picturesque soo.Sno eoI5u'
and Ike the costumes of Italy, accorn'n5
NV ''N > .o,rc.cnts the same figure 81