New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-03-13
THE JACKSON AND THE WASHINGTON STATUES
IN WASHINGTON CITY.
r..,s.na.a.,os of The N Y Tribune.

CesrespssdeIs0e Of The n Y. Tribune.
WAsHsGToE, March 8, 1860.
Creeuoueh once said that an a.s seemed TO be re-
"parded in Washington something between sToll-
al ing player and mendcant." This bitter sentiment
finds response in noble natures, who are made painfully
conscious Of the necessity 10 crush out OF Artists every
feeling Of patriotism and manhood that they may be
the better fitted crouch 1T the doors Of Congress,
teggars for s patronage; or to contend andsramoe,
as for spois agains thcse who trust to political intrigue
in lusLipg their claims before Congress. eanuot pre-
tend 10 cay that th, has been pursued as policy but
am quite its practical working has been to Danish
the true Artist whore retiring nature and refinement
of soul will never stoop TO urge bis claims before any
patron. When such men land such only deserve the
name Of Ars, full of holy zeal, to Washington
TO oer to the Government their services or s1ggss-
tons and find that they tresad though they mad
criminal design upon the National Treasury IL it TO
be wondered that they fall back in utter discourage
| ment al d give place 10 adventurers in Ant
Congress- bas great power TO encourage aud develop
rational art by just and discriminating distribution
of its patronage Bat instead OF thus developing IL,
Congress seems have labord under The strange hal
lucinaion that the United States contained but one
sculptor. On him il has snowered patronage, whose
urofuse liberslity only equaled by bis ncapacity.
The erection Of equestrian ststue If As important
an event, and affords far higher opportunity for
work Of gtrius than the building of national capitol
There no greater field for the display Of learning in
our national history and genius In giving expression
~ it in the enduring bronze, and yet 1t would seem
thet in scorn Of genus and derson OF learning Con-
Rreas intrusts this most important commission 10 one
Utterly incom pe.ent by his own admission, whose
boast ia that he :" is not an artist but plasterer
wbose works sbundantly prove his true appreciation
Of his right sphere Of action.
The sole claim Of merit in his equestrian statue OF
jackson ia bssed upon the fact that the horse stands
upon its hind legt, without support; and our pas-
teIer produces from bis pocket mall copy in bronze
10 wheedle the foolish by the illustrate OF this bril-
liant idea as though the balancing OF piece OF metal
had snything TO do with Art. Tire study of ceners Of
gravity is problem for steelyaId makers, or manu-
fsctureIs Of rocking But where is his hero
all this timef Heard you ever one word OF the truth
opei Old Hickory whom the British failed TO suodue
at New. Orleans and the Bank Of the United STATES
could never subordinate this artist has made secondary
"a accessory 10 those wonderful legs and that
ttuIeDd0us tail.
Still there is merit In this fest Of metallic equta
ton. But who enter into criticism OF such
work the recently erected by order of Congress-
spd inaugurated with imposing ceremonies on the I'D
ult--tbe equestrian sta OF Washington ber,ous
w. il il beneath criticism Yet 1t stands here 90 large
and brazen that ii challenges notice. II ia indeed,
oistasteful talk to notice 70 bad work. But We feel
constrained TO declare that there not line in II Ike
nature. The neck s Of such inordinate length that
the beast could eat oats from the cap OF his rider The
throat of the horse is carried far back over the brea
In q manner impossible in nature. The head is badly
Joined 70 the neck, and the neck worse lifted to the
shouders. The scapula being six or eight inches too
high at the point Of the shoulder gives the breast
tsnee and bloated appearance. The modelling Of this
part is strangely suggestive Of monstrous potato.
The horse is badly frightened az lie looks toward The
White House. and presents q striking contrast with
the eYpreesionefs face Of his Illuminate rider The
backward start Of the animal Is 40 sudden that the
name and wondrous tail acted upon by typhoon
vet the ipassve rider is not budged forward an inch
in bis seat The rather he sits well back on the crup-
per. II is patchwork, made up piecemeal, and put
together very ngeniousy, but In defiance OF harmony
Contempt il the only critical emotion suitable 70 an o.
innate OF this work and in this contempt the Congress
of the Unite States must largely share for they have
been content job cut this statue 10 one who has been
fortunate enough gain their favor i've OF his
claims upon them as artist. The money paid for
theee two statues by Mills should have insured the
Government the noblest works OF art.
Under indicious management, Washington might, by
this time have been rich in fine works Of art instead
of leaving testimonies Of careessness ignorance,
which will stand monuments TO orr shame until y
wiser generation will remove them. Who are tho
men who control these things in Congress II they
think il is desirable &c give any man $4,000 Of the
public money, that pasterer may perfect himself In
his art, very well We might question the policy,
but we should feel insulted, now do, by the
pretence Of such work the Equestrian Statue Of
Washington. w.. ID. d.