New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-06-30
ART IN WASHINGTON.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF THE PUBLIC BUILD
NGs-THE PUBLIC GROUNDS.


monument gIeets the viritor who asceuds the CAPT.
tolDe hill from the city and approaches the eice from
behind 1t was erected in commemoration of several
naval officers who fell in the expedition against Tipo,
and consists of marble shaft ornamented with pro-
jectng beaks Of galeys spriugng from square base,
and surmounted by an eagle. The whole structure
which lie about 40 feet in hight stands in basin OF
water, emblem, we suppose of its naval character
The monument though neither imposing beautiful,
might pass as uDobectonable in its proper place. But
this is not its proper place. and as nothing but pro-
prety Of petition make tolerable, it should go
back to the Navy-Yard whence 1t came, or to some
cemetery where it would not be inappropriate Placed
atwhat in feet though not intended to be- the prn-
cipal entrance to the Capitol it mars the harmony of
the stately architecture of the building and takes away
from the breadth and dignity Of the approach. at
point SO important aud conspicuous it III to place
mau,oleom at ALL it should be in commemoraton OF
those whose services have most entitled then to the
gratitude of the Republic. We are not disposed to un-
dsIrate the merit of the brave men who fell punish
ishipg the nsolence Of petty tyrnts who presumed 10
"better our example," and make white men savesi
but surely in the roll Of military and naval heroes
there are names which should take precedence of these
&c monumental honors.
AT the opposite side of the Capitol theabutments
Of what is meant TO be but is not, the principal en-.
trance, stapd two well.known groups Of scrpturesby
Greenough and Persico. That by. Greencugh is in
tended 10 represent the struggle between civilized and
savage fe and had the conception been striking for
originality, power, any peculiar grace something
might have been Pardoned to these in defectof execu
ton or had the execution been faultess poverty and
fec bltness of design would have been les ercepble
in the perfection of work of art Unhappi the spec
tator seeks in vain for either. The group as mere
sculpture is and commonplace and tie thought
IT is intended to convey is meager and spiritiss. The
principal figure is an Indian, not, IS we happen to
know modelled from life, but only such Indian as
Mr.. GreeDough could design in a studio in Italy from
his imperfect recollection founded upon very limited
observation. The result may, perhaps, be ,redtable
TO bis ingenuity, but it has Of the interest which
might have at ached to faithful representation, in
during stone, Of the physical pecuares of race so
rapidly passing away. But the Indian, So rs he is,
has been taken advantage of by white man behind
him. who nnicts deaih-wound for something done,
apparently to the white mother and child at his side.
The woman is not particularly bad but the chi is
mopstrous. Whether it is dead, or in couvulscns,
it is impossible to TELL and it is painful TO reflect that
we shall never know which aflieton it is tbat has
brought that OK of contortion into the mothers face
On the opposite side is d,g-with TAIL we think,
borrowed OF another dog-w atching the i'sus of the
struggle between the In attitude sedate and
und, mODstratiye to suggest that he, al least must
have reached degree of Christian civilization adj
vanced as TO dsapprove of fighting altogether. Other
accessories are not less remarkable From mere
crevce of the rock where soil could lodge springs
tree and the surface Of the rock where there is
no fssufe whatever, hourshes unknown species
OF the vegetable kingdom. These minor faults would
be scarcely noticed would to add, doubtless
they intended to do to the general effect Of the
group, it placed il should be- to be only
from distance; but close examination reveals these
defects uDatoned for by any breadth Of thought, by
any poetic feeling, by any evidence of that subtle skill
in the baud of the sculptor which makes the senseess
stone instinct with life movement, by any his
toc worth preserving the tradition Of the deadly strug
gle of the savage driven from the huntng-grounds Of
his fathers and the heroic devotion of the pioneer who
found home in the wilderness, and planted the
germ Of mighty State.
In the grounds facing this entrance of the Capitol
stands all naked in the open air" Greeuoughs Wash
ington 1t has been very often criticised never if
remember Alright, favorably, and toe severely
Fortunately is where it is rarely seeu except by
those who visit that part of the grounds for the pur
pose of seeing it.
The group by Persico opposite the frst-naued work
by GIeencugh, at this su posed main 10 the
Cspitel, hardly challenges clitcism, for it is more
papable failure a work of art and as an ideal con-
cepiion The erect figure of Columbus holding in his
upraised hand dminutive globe, ard the crouching
Indian maiden at his side with her arm extended, by
which il meant to tyIiiy the discovery Of new
world, and the subjugation Of simple and innocent
people never, we presume, suggested anything bat
game Of bowls TO any observer. IL is an inevitable re-
Il clion The attitude Of one figure is that of player
who may have just made successful stroke and the
other Of who boastngy proposes to surpass it.
The ball. from its SIZE does not suggest geographical
globe, even supposing Columbus had ever seen one;
could an Indian maiden have had the slip hest no.
tOn hen he thus shook over her head that it was
any thing else than missile with which he meant to
crush her. Without the globe the eroupis meaning
less; with it were the ption Otherwise we'll
rendered the illustration is not happy one. # Is too
commonplace a symbol, a, regards Columbus, to be
made the chief indication Of the idea in group placed
in position so imposing; and intended to iii the
race, represented by the shrinking maiden with ave
and amazeuent, it has no meaning. Tnis sculpture,
unhappiy for the fame of the artist is placed where it
be approached too nearly. The best position for it,
undoubtedly, would be where it could not be seen at
all; at any the vail Of distance should be thown
over the broad proportions presented by back view
of the young Indian womsn. Where the grace of ua-
ture is wanting, her mOdesty is the forcbly re-
membered.
From these grouEs We turn with pleasure and re lief
the works of Crawford designed for the extension
of the CAPITOL not yet placed but exhibit in the
old Chamber Of the House of Renresen yes Craw-