Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-07-04
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by those who knew him that his vigorous
constitution would bring him safely
through the expected crisis. This hope
has been disappointed, and to-day, wher-
ever art is honored and true manhood re-
spected, the tidlngs of his death will fall
with the influence of personal sorrow.
The artist who has fallen in the serene
ripeness of his life won for himself til : fore
most place among the sculptors Of his gen.
Grafton. Born in the chill obscurity OF
New England village, denied in youth the
kindling influence of works OF art, he over
came all the obstacles which beset his rug
ged path. The friendless. untutored lad,
struggling toward the realization of noble
ideal, lived to see his genius honored by
all civilized nations, and to shed luster on
the name of his own beloved country.
Great as was the genius Of the artist,
whose death we lament, his career appeals
more directly to the youth OF the Republic
in its symmetry and manliness, rather
than by its noble achievements in art. Va
rous circumstances made him an nvoun-
tary exile from his native land. But his
patriotism never relaxed beneath the mel
low skies of Italy. TO his latest breath his
heart was with his beloved country. He
never ceased TO he intensely American in
the best sense of shat term and during
dark hours of the late rebellion in The
United States, he stood manfully by the
unity of the Republic amidst associations
which tested loyalty and brave devotion.
In the din of the conflict of arms, his CHEEKY
and al pota
the stormy Atlantic TO stimulate the ardor
of his fellow countrymen. And, as we re-
view, to-day, the splendid achievements of
the man of genius, 1t is pleasant TO think of
him as the patriot, the independent thinker,
the self-made man and representative
American of noblest mold. His pure, la
borious life is ended; its varied fruits are
rich legacy to his country and TO postcri-
ty. Though he has fallen in the golden
prime of his later years, when other works
might have been expected to grow beneath
his magic touch, he has left a splendid
name in the record Of tho achievements of
the century and he has bequeathed TO his
country fame which shall be more endur-
ing than his own matchless marbles.
The father of Hiram Powers was Yer
mont farmer with a large family and small
resources. Hiram, the eighth Of nine chill
dren was born on his fathers farm, near
Woodstock, on the Goth of July, 1906. He
only secured those rudiments of an educa-
ton which could be acquired at district
school but among the advantages which
he then derived was a knowledge of the
general principles of drawing and some
skill in various kinds of handicraft. The
death of the father left HMM destitute con-
dition, and he was obliged to seek employ
ment at Cincinnati in the reading-room of
one of the hotels. Young Hiram aflerward
found situation in produce store. lie
was then employed by Il clockmaker TO col
lect bills and give some assistance in re-
pairing and cleaning clocks and watches.
He displayed some mechanical aptitude
and when the opportunity offered itself,
which was TO turn the course of his life in
to another channel and render him famous,
he availed himself of i. with readiness.
Having become acquainted with Prus-
sian sculptor, who was engaged at Gin
cinnati on bust OF Gen. Jackson, he nc
quired from this man taste and knowl-
edge of modelling in clay, and executed
several busts and medalions which were
not without merit.
For seven years Mr.. Powers had charge
of the wax work department of the West.
ern Museum at Cincinnati. This employ.
ment was not calculated to suit his aspir-
ing genius, and in 1885 he made Il journey
TO Washington, where he was actively en-
gagged in modelling busls of prominent men.
During his residence at Cincinnati he had
formed The acquaintance OF Mr.. Nicholas
Longworth, through whose assistance and
with the money which his occupation had
enabled him to save, he undertook Jour-
ney TO Florence. During the remainder of
his life he continued to reside in Italy.
Immediately on his arrival lie devoted
himselft 10 modelling busts. After years
residence, having gained considerable skill
in handling the cEiscl, he produced his
statue OF Eve. SO great were the merits of
this work that To waldscn, who was the
most eminent sculptor OF the time, pro-
nounced it a masterpiece.
The reputation which Powers gained by
his Eve increased his confidence in his
own ability, and gear ailerward he pro-
duced the model Of his Greek Slave. This
is the most popular of his works. Al least
six repetitions of it have been executed in
marble, and there are innumerable plaster
casts and copies in parian. This celebrated
work placed him in the first rank of living
sculptors. He has produced numerous other
we'll known works, among which are The
Fisher Boy, of which there have been three
re petitions in marble; II Pensero Pros
erpine, bust; California America, mod
eled for the Crystal Palace at Sydenham,
England statues of Washington and Cal
houn, and The Indian Girl. Among the
vast number of busts which he has pro-
duced are those of Adams, Jackson, Chief
Justice Marshall, Edward Everett, and
Martin Van Buren,. The bronze statue of
Webster, which now adorns the State House
grounds at Boston, is one OF lbs latest
works. Shortly before his death he was
visited at Florence by Mr.. Bayard Taylor,
who, in letter TO The Tribune, on the 10th
of April, gave the following account Of the
way in which the now deceased sculptor
was employing his time, and of the poor
condition of his health:
shall begin with our sculptors, and with
their veteran chief, Powers, whose new
studio, on the hill outside The Roman Gate,
is one of the shrines to which all American
travellers flock. Powers has made no new
ideal figure since the Indian Girl-tbe Last
of the Race-which described to The Tri-
bune five years ago but many admirable
busts testify that his eye has not lost its
clear perception of character nor his hand
its former cunning. His head of Longfel-
low, especially, is work which the COM
| in0 oon arations will nrize both FIR tho M.