Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-02-02

Miss Reams statue OF Abraham Lincoln,
which has remained in the rotunda Of the Capi-
tol since the night Of the unwilling, in order 10
satisfy the public desire 20 see il, was to-day, in
accordance with the request OF the artist, re
moved TO the position it is TO occupy perms-
nently in tile old hall Of Representatives. IL
takes a place on the east side OF the hall, 20
the right OF the statue Of Hancock.
The statue has, since ii was placed in the
Capitol, been constantly surrounded by throngs
OF people, cultivated and uncultivated, aud the
Gum OF the various opinions upon 1t is-First,
that it is undoubtedly the best literal represen-
tation OF MIR. Lincoln that has been made, or
that l. likely 10 lie made; second that the Lin
coin is not only the Lsncoln Of life, but that the
artist has succeeded where other artists have
been signally ba fled, in retaining the likeness
in the hOmely face and lank, urcouth ngure,
and Yet IN presenting both with dignity.
The only thoughtful, well-weished CT ticisms,
however, that have yet been made upon the
work by undoubted authorities are those by
the artist Healy, the art journal OF Rome,
Bacrdrroti. Story, the sculptor; and Kellogg,
the painter; all of whom have pronounced the
Lincoln of Miss Ream, a greater success than Is
usual in art, both in likeness and I'm treatment.
MIR. kellogg, whose authority as An art critic
is recognized as second to none, speaks OF its
extraordinary merit IN delineation or charac-
ter; in eNpressiveness Of face, indicative OF sal
ness mingled with benevolence; in force and
the drapery, by which breadth and dignity
is given 70 a very tan and Ineager fgure;
ana in the pOise OF the figure, standing
firmly and naturally, Its action I'm
perfect harmony with the idea presented
Healy declares that il is not only admirable as
alikeness," but represents the very manner"
of Mr.. Lincoln; Story, after suggesting a single
alteration intbe drapery over one arm, declared
that he would would "stake his reputation"
upon the statue a likeness and work OF art.
Contrary TO the verdict Of these authorities
We have the criticisms of Mrs. Calhoun and the
other females who now conduct the New York
Tribune, to the effect that the face lacks ex-
preston; that the head does not belong to the
body; that her model was a "formess thing
and they declare further, with An air of conclu-
sive triumph that she did not really execute the
work, but got workmen TO cut the model in
marble, and that aided by photographs, &c,
the result was statue that "resembled the
original, and was not gTOtesquely false, but was
As lifeless and sOul-less, as void of thought and
meaning as all journey-wOrk is These sapient
critics seem to be delightfully."- ignorant OF the
fact that all modern ststuary Is put into marble
by tourney work" OF this kind; and that the
purely mechanical but slow process of repro
duclDg the model in marble is never undertaken
10y the sculptor, but is entrusted TO workmen
who DO nothing else. Story, Tor instance, en-
ploys twenty-five men constantly in repro
ducing his models in marble: and though
some artists. as Miss Resm did, go over the
features with some finishing touches to perfect
points OF likeness, &C., yet many of the first art
leaves their hands. And the flippant charge
from the same quarter, that the "formless
model was improved by the stone-cutters by
the aid of photographs, is as silly as absurd.
Tie model was on exhibition here fC months be-
fore 1t was taken TO Europe, and with the excep-
ton OF the slight change in the drapery on the
arm recommended by Story, the finished work
is a literal copy OF that model. And it was upon
that model that the eulogisms Of Kellogg, Healy.
Story, and the Art J0aTaaI of Rome above
quoted were based.
But the Ream stat lie of Lincoln j. now before
the public, and will be Judged on its own merits.
If il il a meritoriOUs work il will stand tie test
OF just criticism; and if il cannot stand the ignO
rant and malicious abuse OF the Tribune women
il deserves to fail.