The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-15
FINE ARTS.
Houdon,s Statue of Washington.

HOudcn,s Statue of Washington.
Eight years ago the Committee on Arts and Sci
ences under 0 report to the Common Council OF this
city, recommended the purchase, for the adornment
OF the City Hall, of copy in bronze OF the Houdor
statue Of George washington. Before the report
could be acted upon the breaking out OF the war
diverted the attention Of our people to other ant
more pressing matters than art, and moreover, the
owner and artincer Of the copy the late w. J
Hubbard was then living in Virginia, with which
State all communication had been broken on. The
work itsel-whch had been brought to this city witt
the view Of Offering 1t to the municipal authorities
was never returned, out still remains here awaiting
the disposal Of Mr.. Hubard's representatives.
Is now proposed in default Of the acquisition OF
30 fine work by the Corporation, to purchase 1t for
the Park by private subscriptions; and 1t Is no
doubted that when our citizens shall have mada
themselves acquainted with the SURPRISING merits
Houdon's statue and this bronze facsimile thu
money win be cheerfully supplied.
With the desire Of contributing to the accomplish
ment OF this end we have few words to say OF tn,
sculptor the original statue in marble and the rep
lica which the citizens Of New York have now mos
fortunate opportunity Of securing.
Nicolas Houdon was one Of the most eminent sculp
tors Of France and was In the height Of his fame
the time that he was chosen by Mr. Jefferson to exc
cute for the State OF Virginia statue OF her great
est son. the pdter patrig. Houdon had shown In hi
ideal works the highest constructive genius, but hi
supreme excellence was in the exacttude and ndeli
" Of his delineatlons OF form. He reproduced u
marble with the most wonderful accuracy any ivin
model that was submitted to him, and In the work
ing out OF details he had no equal IN MS aay rron
which Is now to be seen IN one OF the mu
seums Of Paris and which Is not TO ~, o
| distinguished from the natural skeletons ina
aurround Il. In the vestbule Of the Theatr
Francois in the Paais Royal the visitor sees n
sitting statue q yoItaire work SO t ns''ne oc w
smile that sat always on the lips Of the philosopher
Ferney that 1t looks rs II the living SUBJECT ha
/ been suddenly turned into stone. Mr.. Jefferson
who had been commissioned by the state OF VII
i ginia to select an artist to commemorate In sculp
ture the greatness Of washington recognlzea
truthiulness-what was, above all things, wanted y
the important work to be done. Ideazation OF tn
| commanding figure OF Washington was not wanted
| To reproduce his majestic presence, to represen
him as he moved among men, to hand him down II
form and sembance as he was, not in Roman toga
not as a mythical hero, not as demi-god but wear
| Ing the habiliments OF his time ana as republican
citizen OF America this was what the scupto
| should do, and this Houdon, alone OF all sculptors
could do most successfully.
Accordingly his services we're secured, and he cam
| at once to Mount Vernon, and there, from careful
| study OF his iustrious model, he made the statu'
| which now stands in the Capitol at Richmond ant
which has commanded for more than eighty year
| the admiration OF all who have visited that city.
| Thirteen years ago the late w. ]. HUBBARD, himeei
! eminent as an artist, obtained permission OF tn
Legislature OF Virginia to make copies OF this statu
In bronze. lie erected o foundry at Richmond, ant
| from moulds carefully taken OF the whole ngur'
produced three copies. one OF these was inaueu
| rated with appropriate ceremonies at Lexington
Va. on the Attn OF July. 1855, when Henry A. WIS
delivered Grafton before the cadets OF the Virgnn
| Milita-v Institute The second was purchased o,
the stare " North Carolina The third Is that whic
| II il now proposed TO purchase for the PARK. AL
these copies are exact aud faithful reproductions IL
r. vii he admitted on all hands that the Contra
| PARK should not be wanting In a statue OF washing
| ton II Ia positively certain that Houdon's - tn'
best representation OF washington ever made an.
g rat none so good can possibly be made hereater
cover, experience has shown that Tor the oPei
n -onze statuary Is preferable to marble. IN
80 an statue or Marcus Aurelius ~ Rome ma
anvca,, to us in excellent preservation rom IN
o o,a We oasrs while the marble nymphs ina
egn of the a. Tens Of the Roman nociliy nay lay,
aye VI VIZ % yposure OF two centuries tn
ueco, SIG SIC, sne ga. statue OF Washington, nov
bronze copy OF Houdon. pn,om ard we trust Ina
offered for the Park can b. ,na uondon Wash
ihe cost OF an Original eominis our magnincen
the dlsn iterested proposal TO hs,> favor
incton tected on some fine site or =,
pleasure ground may meet with pUnbr~,