New-York tribune., 1873-06-28
PRICE FOUR CENTS.
HIRAM POWERS.
DEATH OF A GREAT SCULPTOR.


bronchial complaint; but il was thought by thOes
who knew him that his vigorous constitution would
bring him safely through the expected crisis. ThIs
hope has been disappointed, and to-day, wherever
art is hOnOred and true manhood respected, tho
tdngs of his death viii fan with the influence Of
personal sorrow. The artist who has fallen in tho
serene rpeness of his life for himself the fore
most place among the sculptOrs Of his generation
Born in the chill obscurity OF New-EDgland
village denied in youth the kindling influence OF
works Of art he oyercame all the obstacles which
beset his rugged path The frlendleSs, untutored
lad. struggling toward the realization of a aobie
IDEAL lived 10 see his genus honored by All clvi%
ized nations and to shed luster on the name VI 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 itssymmetry and manlness'
rather than by its noble achievements IN ART. va
rious circumstances made him an involuntary exile
from his native land. But his patriotism never re-
laxed beneath the mellow skies OF Italy 10 MS
latest breath his heart with his beloved country
He never ceased to be intensely American N the pest
Gense of that and during the dark hours OF tne
late rebellion in the United states, he stood manfuy
by the unity of the Republic amidst aSsocatlona
which tested loyalty and brave devotion In the dn
Of the conflict of arms, his cheery and almost pas-
Slo words
tic TO stimulate the ardor of his fellow
countrymen. And We review, to-day, the
splendid achievements Of the man Of genius. 10 -
pleasant to think of him ~ the patriot, the lnde-
pendent thinker the sclf-mlde man and,rc9resents
alive American Of noblest mold HIS pure. iabor-
ors life ia ended its varied fruits rlcn legacy
tc his country and to posterity. Though ne mas
fallen in the golden prime Of his later year When
Other works might have been expected 10 grow be-
ne .th his magic touch. he has left splendid name
in the record Of the achievements OF the cenUury7
and he has bequeathed 70 his country fame which
sLall be more enduring than his own matehiess
marbles.
The father of Hiram Powers was a Vermont farmer
with large family and small resources. Hiram,
the eighth of nine children was born on his fathers
farm. near Woodstock on the 29th Of July, le'5 He
onlv secured those rudiments of an education when
could be acquired NJ a district school; but among
the advantages which he then derived was NnOwi-
edge Of the general principles Of drawing and some
skill in various kinds Of handicraft. The death or
the father left him in destitute condition, aud he
was obgadt 10 seek employment at Cincinnati IN the
reading-room of one Of the hotels. Young Iran
a(terward found situation in produce store. no
was then employed by cockma Ser to collect DllIS
and give some assistance IN repairing ana cleaning
clocks and watches He displayed some mechanical
| n.
which was to turn the Of his life into another
channel and render him famous. he availed hHnselt
of II with readiness. Having become ACC 1anted
with Prussian sculptor, who was engaged at CIn-
cinnah on a bust Of Gen. jackson, he acquires
from this man a taste and knowledge OF modelInS
in clay and executed several busts aud medallons
which were not without merit
l,or seven wears Mr.. Powers had charge OF tha
J rgax-work department OF the Western Museum a6
Cincinnati. This employment was not calculated
10 suit his aspiring genius. and IN $50 be made a
Journey IN Washington, where he was actively en-
c-,oad in modelling busts OF prominent men. During
his residence az Cincinnati he had formed the ae-
ouaintance Of Mr.. Nicholas LOngworth. through
whose assistance and with the money WhIch ais oc-
cupation had enabled him % save, he undortooka
Journey to Florence. During the remainder OF MS
lie he continued to reside in Italy. Immediately on
his arrival he devoted himself TO modelling busts-
After years residence having gained considerable
skill in handling the chiSel he produced DIS status
Of Eve SO great were the m rts of this work mat
Thorwaldsen who was the most eminent sculptor OK
the time pronounced 1t masterpiece.
The equation which Powers gained BY his Eve
increased hIf confidence in his own ability. and a
wear aftcrward he produced the model of hs Greek
slave. This il the most popular Of his works. Az
ltisr SIX repe.iti0us Of it have been executed IN
Marble and there are inlumerable plaster casts and
cories in pariln. This celebrated work placed hlm
in the first rank Of living sculptOrs. He has pro-
dreed numerous other wel-known works, among
" len are The Fisher Boy, Of which thera
eve been Iec repetitons IN marble; IL Penseroso7
P-oserpinr. bust California; America modcien
for the c. stal Palace at cydenham' EHGa-ldi
a.. me, Of Washington and Calhoun, and The Indian
c,f Amolg the vast number Of busts which he
/ "a uroduced are those ot Adams, Jackson Chief
J,sric, Marshall Edward Everett and Martin Van
I,ren The bronze statue of Webster, which now
aorDs he State House grounds at Boston, ls one OF
ms LATEST works shortly before his death he vas
visited Florence by Mr.. Bayrrd Taylor who III d
letter ~ THE TRIBUNE, on the 10th OF April, gaVe
the following account of the way IN winch the now
deceased sculptor was employing his time, and OF
the Door condition Of his health;
.all begin with cur scuptors, and with their vet
erau CHIEF Powers, whose studio, on the hill out
lido tbe Roman Gate j. one ~ the shrnes 20 which ai
American travellers lock. Powers has made no new
ideal figure since Indian Girlthe Last or the Race
which described in a letter 20 THE TRIBUNE two
wears ago but many admirable busts testify that his
eve has not It's perception OF character nor MS
hand It's former cunning. His head OF Longfenows-
especially s a work when the coming generations VIII
prze both FOR the poets and the artists sake Lonfe-
los head though so simple and grand in its outlines
in fact sort of nldcr Jovcs u Of subtle ana delicate
minor traits IN the Selling of which Powers mas "Eafr
exhibited his mastership portraitsculptOr' IAAo
,b, ba,d and L,unt I.onpsons Bryant, and set them
side by side and yoi will that the ancient Homer
and sophoces have no grandeur and less OF mo
idvidpl characterization. For eighteen months past.
regret 70 cav Powers has leen invalid. lHis trouble
is bronchial aud pulmonary, but it obiges him al
most ept rev 10 suspend bis artistic activity trusa
n, vigorous aud elastic constitution Will soon
restore "a hIn his powers and TO IS our Powers
Mr.. Taylor's estimate OF Powerss genius is un-
doubtedly that Of most other intelligent and thor