The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-10-17
Art Items.

The New York Herald furnishes the follow
ing information about Houdon's statue of WASH
ington:-
"Eight years ago the Committee on Arts and
Sciences, under a report to the Common
Council of this city, recommended the purchase,
for the adornment OF the City Hall, of copy
in bronze of the Houdon 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 and more
pressing matters than art, and, moreover, the
owner and artlhcer of the copy (the late w, j.
Hubard) was then living in Virginia, with which
State all communication had been broken Off.
The work itself-Which had been brought TO
this city with the view of Offering it TO the
municipal authorities was never returned, but
still remains here awaiting the disposal of Mr..
Hubard's representatives IG is now proposed,
In default OF the acquisition OF so dne work
By the corporation, to purchase it for the
Park by private subscriptions; and it is not
doubted that when our citizens shall have made
themselves acquainted with the surprising
merits of Houdon's statue and this bronze fac
StneNe the money will be cheerlully supplied.
With the desire Of contri outing to the accom-.
ps6ment of this end we have few words to
say OF the sculptor, the original statue in marble,
and the replica which the citizens OF New York
have now a most fortunate opportunity OF
securing. Nicholas Houdon was one of the
most eminent sculptors of France, aud was in
the height OF his fame at the time that he was
chosen by Mr., Jetfer,on to execute for the
State of Virginia a statue of her greatest
son, the pdteT pd6te HOudon had shown in
his ideal works the highest constructive
genius but his supreme excellence was in
the exactitude aud fidelity of his delinea
tions OF form. He reproduced in marble with
the most wonderful accuracy any living
model that was submitted TO him, and in the
working out OF details he had no equal in his
day, From single block of marble he carved
a human skeleton, which is now to be seen in
one OF the museums of PARIS, and which Is not
to be distinguished from the natural skeletons
that surround it. lu the yestbule Of the Theatre
I'm Do tNa
his sitting statue Of Volaire, work so instinct
with lie, so wonderfully UGiSnll'dr 10 the
mocking smile that sat always on the lips of the
philosopher of Ferney, that 1t looks as If the
living subject had been suddenly turned into
stone. Mr.. Jefferson who had been commits
stoned by the Safe of Virginia TO select an artist
10 commemorate IN SCULPTURE the greatness OF
Washington, recognized at once in this one trait
OF Houdon-hls marvellous truthfulness-wbqt 1T
was, above all things, wanted in the important
work TO be done. IdealizatlOn ofthe commanding
figure OF Washington was not wanted, To repro.
duce his majestic presence, to represent him
he moved among men, to band him down in
form and semblance as he was, not in Roman
toga, not as mythical hero, not as q dem-g god,
but wearing the habiliments of his time, and as
a republican citizen OF America, this was what
the sculptor should do and this HOudon, alone
OF all sculptors, could do most successfully.
Accordingly his services were secured and he
came at once to Mount Vernon, and there, from
careful study OF his llustrous model he made
the statute which now stands in the Capitol at
Richmond, and which has commanded, for
more than eighty years, the admiration Of all
who have visited that city. Thirteen years ago
the late w. j. Huba,d, himself eminent as an
artist, obtained permission OF the Legislature OF
Virginia to make copies OF this statue in bronze.
He erected foundry at Redmond, and from
moulds carefully taken of the whole figure
produced three copies. One OF these was inau'
gurated with appropriate ceremonies at
Lexington, Virginia, on the 4th of July,
1856, when Henry A. Wise delivered
an oration hetore the cadets Of the virginia
Military Institute. The second was purchased
hy the State of North Carolina. The third is
that which it is now proposed to purchase for
me Park. All these copies are exact and faith
marble. lt will be admitted on all hands that
the central Park should not be wanting in a
s'atue OF washington. II is positively certain
that doudons is the beet representation OF