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

ed among our prNaso s,Sse NJ. Aks,.
Early in the winter Oh 1901, nr. 60 NJ,
mddenly found himself famous, and was kep'
hnsiIy employed in taking portrait buss,-
RsrsIy beautiful, truthful, yet transeenI,ng
49, ac,ual and exhibiting the "possioie OF
aha alter, they possess the higher qualities OF
az .,t together with q fidelity TO nature
s su = nerfection Of manipulation which alone
,.onId render them remarkable. Already
,he INST, of the young artist were classed
m;,h those OF Powers-the highest possible
s'',.rI;ment. A beautiful compOsition-a
full length portrait statue ola child OF Mr.
EJ.srd King, Of y ewport-was greatly al.
n;rcd. and etEctually disproved a whispered
assertion that he could only make portrait
busts. A..
,,oJol a stnJy for a statue ofSt. Elizabeth
Of U,ncorr. which statue, now in the pos
ss.s;on 81 Robert Hoe, Esq, OF this city merits
80 ,han naSing reference. In this, more
than any oil his completed works, the most
REGULAR and nrest qualities oil the gifted
artist are exhibited.
Sta Elizabeth has ever been a favorite with
worshippers and with artists, being the ira
ditional type Of high-bOrn charity; The well.
known story Of the miraculous changing oil
the bread she was carrying into roses Is the
,ubiect our artist has chosen. 1.-The statue
represents the princess at the moment when
the roses have fallen 10 the ground. Her
outer mantle has fallen. and she stands in
the costume OF a noble lady Of her day-a
close fitting jewelled bodice and train OF
graceful sweep. Her whole attitude indicates
nm entire forcetiuhess Of self, her head with
its heavy tresses, which we are told were Of
raven blackness, is gently inclined, and her
face is iriadiate with the rapture OF devotion.
While looking at this charming creation
one involuutarily attributes to the artist the
qualities TenpysOn aseribes to young Hal
lam:
can comprehensive tenderness,
All subtilizing intellect.
Finding his large studio too small for his
needs he took another addition, which was
soon filed with his busy workmen il CHANGED
TO be the old studio Of Canoya, which fact
was Inscribed Mt length on mural tablet
To those who knew the power of its living
occupant, the chance seemed not inappropri-
ate.
Under hisimmediate supervision ihc-similes
Of some Of the finest works Of antique stat
uary were prepared for various American
patrons. Mr.. Edward King, OF Newport,
X. l., has perhaps the largest collection Of
these, among them u magnificent Dying
Gladiator
Il was a fayorite plan Of the sculptor to
scnd 10 America copies in marble OF all the
chief works Of ancient art. Doubtless he
had felt the need Of such facilities and il was
his cherished purpose eventually TO collect
iac.similes Of all the best sculptures in free
gallery in New York, where students might
nave all the benefits ol the galleries OF Europe.
In connection with Mr.. left, the young ar
chitect before mentioned. whose mind was
both original and practical, u plan OF art
education had been elaborated which could
they have lived to perfect and execute, prom
ised great benefit to the interest OF art in
America. This idea Of Mr.. Akers, the free
gallery OF marble copies Of the best statues,
is so feasible that We may hope il is some day
destined to Do realized. Plaster casts are a
mere mockery! The Summer of 1857 was
passed partly in the north OF italy and in
Switzerland, also visit to England, where
he collected all the authorities extant TO assist
him in composing bust Of Milton. This
bust, finished the following winter lis a poets
ideal of the poet. IL added much to the
sculptor's reputation.
The great work of the winter was however,
the Pearl Diver. u statue 10 well known 10
need description here, and one which should
find its fitting shrine in that public gallery
for which the metropolis Of America yet
waits. Thought worthy by Hawthorne offs
place in .Kenyon's' studio, it will live in the
classic pages Of the Marble Faun.' During
this winter Miss Stebbins, whose beautiful
statues have attracted much attention thu
past year, occupied a portion OF his studio
and commenced modelling under his kindly
supervision. Her first work, the Lot0'
Eatcr, statue Of great promise was modelled
in his studio.
Returning 10 America in the summer O
1858, Mr.. Akers was attacked by disease IL
the early autumn. FrUm that time his lii,
was that Of an invalid. In the fall OF 80 b,
again sought Rome, hoping for benefit. \
well-nigh fatal attack OF hemorrhase at Lyons
retarded his journey, and when AZ last hC
reached Rome he was unable 10 open hi:
studio. Returning Ia America in the sum-
ner Of GO. he was married to Mrs. Taylor,
of Portland well known as writer and poet
over the signature Of Florence Percy An
infant daughter inherits his name, and WI
trust his genius.
Since 1858 Mr.. Akers has executed lew
portrait busts, ono or two exquisite designs
FOR monuments. and we believe, partly com
pleted study tor the statute Of CommOdor,
Perry. commissioned 10y Mr. Belmont, for tn,
Central Park, but the artists work prac,i
c,lly closed with the spring OF 1858. Hi
lie from that time was one OF suffering
Wealth and fame seemed about to gid his
labors, when mystrrously his self appointeC
tasks are all set aside, and after weary year;
Of sickness, he is taken from earth.
The period Of his active work, then, ex
tends only from the fall Of 1855 to the sprin,
Of 1858. Three short winters For thes
the world possesses Una and the Lion,' ST
Elizabeth, The Pearl Diver Milton an,
some ioriy unrivalled portrait busts. Wei
has he justified the devotion Of life to art
II is not alone the sculptor that We mourn
behind and greater than the artist was tn
man, broad. strong, tender, with a grca
soul full of faith in humanity and trust IL
God. With an intellect calm, selt-poised an,
capacious, he possessed TO o remarkable do
gree one evidence Of genius-that Of inspir
ing all with confidence in its posscssor. Al
who knew him had faith in him, and lookeC
TO his future in art with exultant antieipa
ton. The pages Of CrGyOn and the ATLANTA
bear witness to bis powers as a thinker anC
writer upon the art. His influence upon al
about him was stimulatiye and enobling.
Indignant at oppression, with heart.
scorn OF boastful assumption, and an i'm
patience Of empty formalities, yet ever cage
TO recognize true worth, and withal Of rar
modesty, he drew 70 himself the warmost nd
miration and affection OF those among hi
acquaintance whose friendships were mos
desirable. The friendships he inspired wer
earnest and lasting. Few will be more deer
ly mourned in Europe and America than thi