Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-09-19
For the Free Press and Times.
The Two Seulptors.

For the Free Press and Times
The Two Seulptors.
We mourn the loss Of Vermonter in the
death Of Hiram Powers, the worlds great
sculptor, and, in reviewing some Of the
works of art which he contributed to the
world, for which he merits and Justly re-
ceives the generous praise of all nations.
We look back upon that other sreat artist,
of whose genius he partook, and from whom
he undoubtedly received some Of his most
happy eoneeptionS-the great Danish
sculptor.
We translate the following from the
Danish Sundays Post, published Goth Nov
1870:
Bertel ThoryaldSen, the " Modern Phi
dias, - was born on the 18th November, no,
and became one of Denmark's, and in fact,
one of the world great men. lie was born
in absolute poverty. His father having
immigrated from Iceland, sought employ
ment in the navy yard at Copenhagen as
carver of "fgure heads, and obtained such
on very low wages. Bertel when a boy fol
lowed his father to the workshop, became
interested and soon cultivated a taste for
carving to such degree a. to be Of cOnsid-
erable help.
lie soon manifested great skill in the ex-
ecutiOn of work assigned HIM, in fact soon
excelled all the other wOrkmen in that
branch, and on account of his skill his
father received numerous orders for work
The parent naturally felt little pride over
his son, which was not little augmented
when Bertel at the age of thirteen was
awarded the Art-Academy's small silver
medal. Long and persistently did he plead
with his parents to allow him to devote all
of his time to the study Of drawing at the
Art-Academy. Especially did he desire to
study perspective. The father did not an
ticipate his sons advancement beyond the
ability to carve figure head, and think
ing additional training in that direction
superiuOus, and perhaps needing the income
from his services for the support of the
family, refused for long while, his consent.
IL was, however, in time obtained, and Ber-
tel entered upon continuous course of
study. Here he came under the ObServa-
tion Of Professor Abilgnard, an eminent
artist, who early discovered this young
students talents, and formed for him lite
long friendship. Thoryaldsen's spare mo-
ments were devoted to forming casts in plas-
ter, and giving Instructions in drawing to
those less favored than himself, by which
he earned some support. But he would
perhaps never have met with real great
success but for his truest and best friend
Prof. Abilgaard, whose words of advice
cheered and encouraged him onward until
his efforts were rewarded with the Art-Acad-
emy's large gold medal, followed by year
ly stipend to defray travelling expenses
through Europe. ThOryaldsen at first hesi-
faf faH off ~
Academy, as he must necessarily leave his
poor aged parents, and it was not until
Abilgaard volunteered his protection and
care of them that he took leave of his
early home, with its endearing associations,
and commenced his journey for Italy, where
he intended to remain for three years. lie
arrived at Rome after long and tedious
Journey on the 10Th October. 1874, visited
daily her rich prOduc tions of art, and stud
led their valuable lessons. Here he model
led his first statue, entitled Jason with
the guilt skin" This study created some
attention and called forth abundant praise
from bis friends and acquaintanees, but
brought no purchaser. In the mein time
his third year was drawing to a close and As
this would finish the term for which the
stipend was granted, he must necessarily
soon return to Denmark. His trunks were
packed. and the coach at the door when a
rich Englishman entered his studio, OBJ
served with critical care and attention his
plaster model, became captivated with its
beauty and ordered it cut in marble, paying
for i. a much larger sum than ThOrvaldsen
asked or expected. 1t is unnecessary to say
that the artist remained at Rome, nor did
he return to his native land for twenty-five
long years. Soon new orders poured in
upon him and he i forced to hire large
number of assistants. From different cuun-
tries of Europe and from Asia there come
acquisitions for his sculpture. If deeds of
mighty men are to be cOmmemUrated in
marble, De the country Protestant or Cath
Olic, the order is sent to ThOrvaldsen. and
day after day his wealth accumulatcs. Even
Rome herself cOnfers upon him the honor
of placing the statue of Pope Plus the 7th
in ST. Peters Cathedral. Colleges and Uni
versitics also confer upon him their degrees.
Kings and EmperOrs hasten to decorate
him with the orders of their respective
kingdoms and empires, and best of all his
venerable parents are honOred.
In 1919 he experienced a strong desire to
visit his native land, where, upon his re-
turn the universal homage of his fellow-cit-
liens was accorded him. As particular evi-
dence of the high esteem in which he Is
the task Of decorating ChristianbOrg Pal
ace, True Kirke Tone of the principal
churches of Copenhagen) and the Court
house. This would seem task of sufficient
magnitude to occupy his time and attention
for the rest of life, and yet he undertook
much more work After his second arrival
at Rome Thorvaldsen toiled for 10 years,
when he resolved to return to his native
home to rest for the remainder of his life.
He was now 60 years of age. The Danish
government despatched a ship of the navy
TO convey him home, and he arrived at Co
penhagen on the 18th September, 1898, to
receive fresh testimonials Of the high re-
gard in which he was held and the deep af-
fectiOn the people entertained for him. His
entrance into Copenhagen proved to be
great triumphal entry. Representatives
from all parts Of the country, king and
peasant alike, hailed his return and We'd
with each other in doing honor to the seulp-
tor.
His friend, Ludwig Boedtcher an eminent
Danish writer, persuaded him to bequeath
to the nation all his works of art. He also
give all of his additional property to the
erection of a museum. The construction Of
the building was at once commenced under
the special direction Of ThOryaldsen, and
large additional sums Of money were con-
tributed by the citizens and placed at his
disposal. But the great artist did not see
the completion of this his last work, for on
the 2ith of March, 1874, at the age of "a,
death paralyzed the hand and arm that had
chiseled so many a beautiful form and face
On the 18th September. 1913, Just ten years
after his return to his native home the mu-
scum was opened to public inspection and
became public property.
In n common grave in the centre Of the
square, formed by the four buildings of the
museum in the centre of chiscled marble,
cast bronze, frescoed walls and adorned
canvas, and decked. from day to day, with
the tribute of floral offerings,-there rests
the poor carver's boy-the great Thorvald-
sen. But his genius did not die it lived
in the eye and hand of Hiram Powers, his
pupil. And as we contemplate the works
of these truly great men-men who gave to
the crude, cold, inanimate marble the form
of human life to the mute lips language
more eloquent than the orators or states
mans to the form and features the ex-
preston that the cruelty and tyranny of
dcsp0tic ages carved IN ne>h and blood, or
the smiles that kind Providence impaired
to the tabernacle of the immortal soul of
the great and good of their ages-as we
contemplate these works we are led to abhor
the cruel tyranny Of the past, and encoura-
ged to emulate the good, generous, self
sacrificing and noble Of all ages. The de-
structive agencies of time may crumble
your monuments, Great Men, until their
sands shall mingle with the waters of the
ocean, yet men and women shall emulate
the virtues that you with your hammer.
chisel and file endeavored to perpetuate
and we ask where among these beautiful
hills of Vermont shall thy fellow citizens
prepare for thee-son tof Vermont-tby