The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-08-30
BENZ. PAUL AKERs, SCULPTOR.

BENZ. PAUL AKERs, SCULPTOR.
"Disd, In PhlladelphIa. May 2ist, Dspjamln Paul
Ahsr. sculptor. aged as
So closes tho earthly career Of one Of
Americas most gifted artists. On that lore
ly May Sabbath-fair as tha, "sweet day"
Herbert has immortaliled. when the metrop-
oils poured forth its thousand. to do honor
to tho obsequies Of the martyrei Ellsworth
-alittle company Of friends. under the pines
on tho banks Of the Saco, in far-awsy Maine,
gathered to pay the last Offices Of affection
and friendship to the remains Of one Of thoss
rare children OF genius whose advent forms
an era in the history Of every people. and
whose departure leaves an irreparablc void.
When, in any position in life, men full Of
vigor and full Of promise pass from earth.
we feel that II is loss to tho world-how
much the moro when such men possessed
special and rare qualities.
A few years since Clevenscr, whose raro
busts, scattered among the private houses OF
his patrons, give evidence Of great genius
and skill, died at Florence in the very dawn
Of his promise. Last year the architect Tciit,
who had crowded much Of performance into
short life, and whose future was full OF
hope, laid down under the shadow OF Brunei
leschi's dome and passed from earth; and
now, with hands heavier laden with garnersd
sheaves, and with future brighter with
promise than either Of those who have pro.
ccdcd him, gifted rs they were, Paul Akers
passes from among us.
That tho subject Of this notice had exhibit
ed induitablo evidence Of genius, and the
special gift Of its expression through the me-
dium Of sculpture, has long been conceded BY
all who have had On opportunity Of Judging.
1t seems fitting, then, that q brief account
of his life works should be gwen.
Benjamin Paul Aker was born at Sacca-
Kappa, village forming a part Of the town
of westbrook, Maine, six miles distant from
the city Of Portland.
With aspirations for some higher life than
that Of the country people about him, blind
moyings instinct within him ever inci.ingto
nobler. fuller existence, his early life passed
outwardly like that Of most New England
boys. with busy hands engaged in various
avocations, and II was not till twenty.four
years Of age that he saw by accident, in =
shop window, the marble burst Of Brackest,
which was to him revelation. From that
moment no was q sculptor. Ills life work
lay clear before him, and boldly and joyiully
he entered upon his career.
Without any art instruction, totally IN.
practiced in modelling, he opened at oncc .
studio In Portland, where his first essays de-
cided the question Of his genius and fitness;
his first portrait bust was pronounced sue
cess.
In Europe, where galleries ofGt are ae-
ccssiblo to all, this might seem less wonder
ful-though even there II would be held re-
markablc-but that boy grown up to man.
hood in country village OF Maine, whero
or statue was utterly unknown, should, on
seeing bust by accident in q nelghbering
city, at once open studio and commence
successfully the practice Of his art, argues
not only innate genius, but also the possession
of rare manual dextcrity.
Several prominent citizens Of Portland, tho
poet Longfcllow and the Hon. Samuel Apple
ton, Of Boston, sat to the rising artist. In
due time came the journey to Europe, and.
after visit to America, the inevitable ro-
turn. II was when in Portland, after his
first visit to Europe, that hc modelled statue
of"Bepjamin in Egypt, at the moment of
the discovery of the cup in his sack" This
was exhibited in the Crystal Palace, and
destroyed BY the burning Of that building.
Bringing with him several portrait busts
in plaster, to bo cut in marble, among them
grand head Of Judge McLean-he settled
ut Rome In 1855. Unknown and retiring,
he passed an almost solitary winter In his
studio. It was not an idle winter. The
summer found there remarkable work nearly
finished in clay-a liie.-iIed group Of "Una
and the Lion," illustrating tho line.
sand while she slept he kept both watch aad
ward"
The composition is excellent; the sleeping
Una graceful and full Of expression. while
the figure Of the lion is grand and noble;
modelled from nature, 1t Is the finest sculp-
turcd lion have seen. Though naturally
inviting comparison with the famous lions BY
Canoya, at st. Peters, It was universally sp-
proved.
Our Central Park already speaks much for
the lberality and taste Of New York. Bot
its chief excellence and its large utility rst
in promise. Ono essential requisite for its
full development is statuay, and that ofs
high order. Mr.. Aker's early death hi. de-
privcd the park Of bis intended commdore
Perry. This group would be a fitting and
beautiful addition to the park, and the only
work of his hands that ban besubstitutcd for
the last statue.
Will not our wealthy citizens go thatit
find. place there' Thus will the gsniusof
n native artist be honorcd, ands most ad-
mirabls ornament and educator Of public
taste DO secured.
In addition to the Una, an exquisite bsss
Of Cicero, q restoration from . somewhatmn.
tilated head which lies on shelf In tho Vac
n III lLa