National Republican., 1874-05-29
LRT MATTERS.
LAuNr rHoMpsoNs STATUE OF SCOTT


LAuNr THoMPsoNS STATUE OF SCOTT
AT THE SoLLstERS' HOME.
II the art student. instesis Of seeking for models
In the almost bleak halls OF t6s Corcoran art gal
lery, viii 90 TO the Old soldiers' Dome and study
Launt Thompson's statue OF Gen,>ral Scott, re-
Gently erected there, he cannot fail to tnproYe his
ideal Of what Is beautiful and true in art and
sculpture. The statue 10 in bronze heroic sie and
stands on . pedestal cut In Virginia granite, Sm-
pie but massive. The pose Of the figure Ia ~
markably hne, and stands out bold and grand
against the sky: each line being naturally and
gracefully turned. In short, We have never seen
sky lines blended with such exquisite harmony
In statue. The old General Is isrepresented ss he
appeared at the age Of hfty-tsll, portly, and
erect. In full dress uniform his right hand resting
In his breast and his len touching the hilt Of his
sword. The lefs foot extends 3 few inches, giving
ease and naturalness to the poise, while his mil
itary cloak hangs carelessly over his shoulders
and down his back, and just disclosing the-ep
Lets and insignia OF his rank. The character OF
tho old General too, is strongly expressed In the
severe, but natural features. The broad fore
head, the dsep-set, thoughtful eyes, the CON-
pressed lips, the proud and almost naughty look,
are all there, and suggest the. ideal Of Q grand
old Roman Aside from the strength and beauty
Of this statue, the care and exRctness with which
all the details, however minute, have been
This, Il 10 but Just to say, is due In great
measure to the care and good taste or Surgeon
General Barnes, who personally directed what
may be termed the equipment. It is evident that
the artist worked from the very best OF models,
and under careful direction, and he has produced
q work we shall always refer to with pride and
admiration General Scott was indeed the founder
Of the Old Soldiers Home. When In Mexico he
levied Q contribution Of $4,000 on 9 town for
treachsry on the part Of the Mexieans during q
truce This fund he sent to Washington with the
request that 1t be made the nucleus for founding
home for old soldiers. On his return home he
drew up the plan and organized the institution
which has Increased into such magnificent proper
tions and with Its beautiful grounds Of several
hundred Is an honor alike to the country and
the fidelity of those who have well and worthlly
administered the trust. At the close Of the late
war this insstution had q surplus fund OF nearly
eight hundred thousand dollars, and that not
wIthstanding several Ane buildings have been
erected and q large amount Of money expended in
improving and beautifying the grounds. This
statue, then, deity executed, and 50 grand as
work of art, is a fitting tribute to the memory Of
one who was at tho father and founder Of this
Old Soldiers Home. The artist devoted two
years. labor to it, and although of heroic size
ceiyed only els, 1000 for it. A.
SUMNER IN MARBLE
The public is naturally interested in the
memorials left in marble or canvas Of the late
Senator Sumner. In the portrait painted for the
republic of Hayti by Mr.. Henry Ulks, of this city,
the painters art has most WorthIly and power
fully presented the face and form Of Mr.. Sumner
MIR. Preston Powers, son Of the late Hiram
Powers, has given US o bust Of the orator and
scholar, modelled from an imperfect cast taken
sfter death, and from photographs As por-
trait, the bust, considering all the conditions,
must be pronounced reasonable success. There
is little to recommend It, however, beyond the
fact that 1t will be recognized by thuse who have
seen Mr.. Sumner.
So far as known, Mr.. SUMNER sat for bust to
only two artists-both of Boston. Tho first is Mr..
jackson, an excellent portrait sculptor, whose
bust il, however, several years old. The other is
Martin 1IIlmore, now in Rome. engaged in model
ing the elaborate monument in honor of its dead
Union soldiers, ordered for Boston Common by
that city. An origin al bust of Mr.. Sumner was
executed by Mr.. Milmore, from 1857 to 1859, Just
before Mr. Sumner begun to break physically.
The original is in Rome, where it has been cut in
marble, and oft Mr.. George Bemis, whose name
Is familiar to all acquainted with the history OF
the Alabama treaty, writes, in letter bearing
date "Rome, April II, 1874" as follows:
'At your suggestion called on Martin NIL
more. There Is no doubt his bust Is a noble one.
| think have never seen anything Of Sumner so
good. 1t has his BrandtoSe manner, When ne
looked and felt his best"
Mr.. Motley writes Mr.. Sumner under date oi
May 8, 1859,
| ave all went yesterday morning to see Mil
mores bust of you, and consider 1t a very remark
| able work. I certainly mover saw portrait bus
| that eXcelled it, md have seen q good many
The likeness is striking, and it is the best lsOk"
A full-faee photograph lying before US iustthe
| these encomiums The head is superb In pose
the likeness is complete, and the whole expires
sion and ensemble every way worthy Of the illus
trious subject. Mr., Milnore's work Is justified y
every observer BY this counterfeit pressntm ent,
Mr.. sumner himself always regarded this bust a
a fine Specimen Of high art, (speaktng of 1t frou
the esthstic poidt CT yisW,) and in letter to Mr.
MiImore pronounced 1t the best of lkenssses
| Wendell Phillips, whose critical Judgment Is o
the highest order, not ouly ndorses the excellence
of the portrait, but declares that it is the beat
! bust made In Boston for ten years. The Roman
Art Journal, regarded as leading authority, de
clared Of this bust and Its companion, Wendell
| PhlIlips-then at Mr.. Milmores studio on tht
Via TolentIao, that thoy were worthy Of the grea
masters, noble in conception, and admirable y
ArscutioQ. -
If Mr.. Sumner is to be honorcd in monumental
bronze or marble, 1t is well that he be represente'
at his worthiest. The unbrokcn evidence Of int
mate friends tends to show by whose hand an
brain that ideal has been realized. Let the choic
be one of merit, and not secured BY pleading an
presence.