Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-02-19
Progress Of Sculpture in the United States.

To the Editor of the Transeyipt:--Freqrent
visits to the Doric Hall at the State House,
during the few days since 1t has been changed
to "sculpture Gallery, have taken our recol-
lection backlover quarter Of q century--to the
time when there was not a ma tive born sculptor
in the United Statesj and when there was not q
bust or statue in Washington, or In any of our
large cities that did not owe Its origin either to
a foreign country or to foreigners hand.
Taking retrospect Of the past-departed
sculptors Of eminence have become immortal in
their works; and many living In foreign lands
have written their names on imperishable mar
BILE; but In the present case we have before US
gallery Of lpture independent of foreign aid
or education, and feel much enthusiasm, pride
and satisfaction at the fact. Henry Dexter, the
sculptor Of these contemporary Governors, was
the pioneer, home educated, native sculptor, we
believe, who made the first marble statue In the
United States-"The Binuey Child" at Mt.
Auburn. Since then his works In marble mum.
ber more than two hundred pieces. His bust of
the late John D. Williams, of Gen Lyman, Of
VIM. Lawrence, and Of R. G. Winthrop, A. H.
Rice and Henry Wilson, and many others, have
sufficient artistic merit to immortalize any name.
The statue Of General Warren at Bunker Hill,
standing In dignity and grandeur, is by him.
His smaller pieces-the Winchester Daughter,
and the Cushing Children, are remarkable ex.
amples for embodying individual likeness and
poetical idea
Mr.. Dexter is withal a modest man, relying
upon his own merit; he asks nothing but an
opportunity to spend his time and talent in the
art ke loves. He does not cast plaster upon the
face of his stters, as many suppose-to the de-
graduation Of all art-making, in this way,
spectral forme-but hes art in his eye, and feel.
| lnnr o. nutd da Ia h
| fully than by mechanical means.
All these Governors of the United States
were in Office the first Of January, 1860; but few
of them are in Office at the present time; and all
these busts, thirty-two with the President Of
the United States, California and Oregon be-
ing yet to be taken) )-have been modelled from
life by tho sculptor, who has visited each State
in the Union, and worked at the residence Of
each Governor. Another collection of equal
interest and magnitude Is not to be found in the
world. Being q national work, they are de-
signed, when completed in the marble, to be
kept as On historical collection of 1850. The
likenesses Of those we know we find faithful and
TRUTHFUL having that poise of attitude, so impor.
tant In bust or statue. There is not an ignoble
head in the collection. Every fold Of drapery
is natural, appearing as If it had been NOV.
ed, yet keeping Its breath and simplicity Of
CO ntour.
We hear that Mr.. Dexter has been advised
to take this collection abroad to exhibit as the
last Governors of the American Confederacy.
But this should never be seriously thought Of.
Orders, we learn, have been given for copies Of
several Of them in marble,to adorn either private
residences or legislative halls, and We doubt not
that the national enterprise and artistic skill of
the gifted sculptor will receive rich rewards,
in orders for copies which shall occupy as much
time as he desires to devote to his profession.-
Boston 7Tanseript l1a ll.a