The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-28
Sketch or Hiram Powers.

hiram Powers, the American sculptor. whose de-
mise is specially reported in the columns Of the
HERALD this morning, was In the sixty-eighth year
OF his age he would nave completed that period
OF life had his existence been prolonged for q few
weeks. The great artist was born In Wood
eighth child OF family OF nine.
HIS parents were plain country people. who
cultivated little farm. he acquired such educa-
ton as the district school Afforded, and he also
found leisure to get some knowledge Of divers
kinds OF handlcraft, among which was the art OF
drawing His father, finding it difficult to main
tain his family upon his farm. removed to Ohio,
where he shortly after died, and the future artist
was thrown upon his own resources. He set out
fer Cincinnati to seek his fortune and found en-
plOyment in reading room connected with one OF
the principal hotels OF the city, and afterwards be-
came clerk in produce store where he re-
manned until his principal failed. He then found
situation with clockmaker, by whom he
was employed in collecting debts, and afterwards
in the mechanical part Of the business but, al
though this employment was not disagreeabe to
him, he aspred to some higher branch Of the arts.
In Cincinnati he made the acquaintance OF q Prus-
sian who was engaged upon bust OF General
Jackson, and, with some little instructions OBJ
tanned from him in the art OF modelling Mr. Powers
was soon able to produce busts in plaster Of con-
siderable merit. In fact, of his earliest he has
declared to be unsurpassed in likeness and finish
by any of his later works. He then felt that his
vocation was the arts and he formed connection
with the Western Museum at Cincinnati, where,
for about seven years, he superntended the artistic
department..
Encouraged by the success OF his early efforts he
journeyed to Washington, whence, owing chiefly
to assistance rendered to him by patron, Mr..
Nicholas L0ngworth, he was enabled to travel to
Florence. He arrived in the Italian city for the
first time in the year 1887, and applied himself inn
mediately to his studies. After diligent thought
and careful training OF his hand and eye he pro-
duced his figure OF "Eve.n The work was completed
In the year 1888 and at once accepted as success
by the artistic world and the public. This was fol-
lowed by the '"Greek Slave" an enduring monu-
ment Of Mr.. Powers truly American genius. The
"Greek Slaven was displayed in the London Exhibit
ton OF 1851 and there in position the work placed
Powers name high up and indelibly on the roll Of
artist fame and honor. His other well known
works have followed In pretty regular succession.
Among them are the "Young Fisherman" full
length figure Of Calhoun; with busts of webster,
Jackson, Adams, Chief Justice Marshall, Everett,
Van Buren,, and other productions in which
Americans take pride, and which tend to perpetu-
ate the history Of some Of the most remarkable
epochs in the national life of the United States.
Thorwadsen admired his ideal statue of "Eve" to
such an extent that the great master
pronounced 1t "a work which any sculp-
tor might be proud to claim as his
masterpiece" Powers 'Young Fisherman"
has passed through three repetitons in marble.
'American were modelled for the Crystal Palace
at Sydenham, England. His bronze statue of
Daniel webster, one OF his latest productions,
adorns the state House grounds at Boston. Mr..
Powers was the inventor OF process OF modelling
in Master which, by obviating the necessity Of
taking clay model Of the subject, expedites the
lab0rs OF the sculptor vastly.
POWERS STUDIO IN FLORENCE.
Hiram Powers was an old resident OF Florence.
Thrty-eight years or over have passed
away since he first became known TO
the citizens OF the ancient Italian munich
pality. His studio was on the Via di Serragh,
in large building once convent, which he Occu-
pied as a residence and for his suit OF studios and
workshops wherein were constantly employed
large force of the most skiIful workmen Of the
world. 1t was not only visited by Americans
but by q vast number OF English, Russians
French, and in short, people from all parts OF the
globe. Though his time was OF lnestimable value,
1t was quietly flched to surprising extent but
by visitors who were invariably received by him
IN q warm, cordial and unaffected manner and
shown about his rooms, where were his various
works in different stages OF completion; and his
bright eyes sparkled with all their youthful fire
he fondly discoWsed On art and the beautiful crea.
tons Of his genius.
special visit made to his studio in the year 1865
W.
HERALD-analytical OF his art and in report OF his
progress The writer said: -
In the first room OF Hiram Powers studio which
the visitor enters are the plaster models OF his
the model OF America and several busts.
His work which no he
was to have been and Is, his greatest production,
was reproduced in marble and finished with that
was modelled for Congress-: but through Presi.
dent Pierce's interference the comm ission was
so altered that only Jefferson and Franklin"
were at that time completed. Pierce objected to
one sentiment forcibly expressed In the design
that Of Freedom, expressed By the broken chains
the commission and his design, compile ted by one
OF his workmen, now surmounts the dome OF the
Completed the model, and years since reproduced Il
In marble. II remained in hts atelier until about
year ago, when Il was sent to New YORK, to be
Arrangements had been perfected to take 1t out OF
the bonded warehouse In New York, where 1t was
stored, when Q Gre consumed the building and
totally destroyed the statue. The loss was very
keeny felt by Mr. Powers, who considered the
work as his best, and desired that his countrymen
should see it. Ii Is doubtful whether 1t will again
he put in MARBLE unless he receives a comm issior
to that effect III was insured; so Mr.. Powers lost
only his time and the chance to realize the choicest
hope OF his life. The model is TO be seen in hts
studio, and, though not IN material that gives
the best eject IL deservedly attracts, by the gran
deur OF the design the beautiful and artistic mod
cling and the magnificent sentiment 1t expresses
the attention OF all who visit the atelier.
0Americar is female figure, partially draped
or heroic size, standing proudly erect, with her
left arm appraised, pointing with her finger aloft
and in the act OF declaring with exuitation, which
shines out or her face, the great victory or Free
dom. She rests upon her right foot, with her left
gracefully advanced and firmly resting upon bro
perfect freedom. Her right hand rests upon bun
die OF JasceS. crowned BY wreath OF laurel, en-