The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-06-05
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.
A CRITICISM ON NJ. EzEKIEL's GROUP BY
DIR. LEOPOLD JULIUS-A GREAT COMPLI-
MENT TO A FORMER CITIZEN OF RICH
MOND.

The name OF NJ. Ezekiel is very familiar
to our Jewish citizens. He is sculptor Of
well-known merit, and as he is native Of
this fair city the follow8s criticism on his
group" Religious Librty written by
DR.. Leopold Julius, the home correspond
ent Of the LeipSiger. Zeitsherift fuer BIZ
dende Kunst (the Leipsig Chronicle OF the
Plastic Artsl,rwill be read with pleasure by
Mr.. Ezekiel's many friends in Richmond
MEMORIAL GROUP OF sTATUARY FOR THE
CENTENNIAL JUBILEE OF THE INDEPEND-
ENCE OF THE UNITED STATES.
The international Exposition in honor OF
the centennial anniversary celebration OF
American independence, which is to take
place in Philadelphia, is to be specially
adorned by the erection Of numerous statu-
ary works.
The friends Of Religious Liberty in that
country have resolved upon an act OF ho-
mage to liberty in her religious phase by
contributing a stately memorial group in
marble, which is to be unveiled on the 4th
OF July.
The commission to execute this work has
been allotted to the talented young Amerl-
can sculptor N. Ezekiel, already agreeably
known not only to his own countrymen, but
| to us Germans as well, through various
works OF his.
The model OF this group, now being exc
cuted in marble to the height OF eleven feet,
was completed some time since, and the eX-
hibiton. of the same at the atclier OF the AS
socated Artists in Rome, 1877 Via Di Torino,
taHracted general attention and elected
much creditable comment.
The group reproduced in our journal
from an excellent drawing on wood by Sir
TT frion1 ~ fho cnn1nfnr lis-
plays from the centre the personitication OF
the Genius OF Liberty, who is represented
as stately woman in coat OF mail and man
tie. and upon her breast is emblazoned the
American shield; her majestic head, en-
hanced by lllxuriantly- y-howing tresses, is
adorned by the Phrygian cap, encircling
which is band OF thirteen stars, significant
OF the thirteen colonies Of hundred years
ago. With her left hand she leans upon the
iasces, holding at the same time the scroll OF
the Constitution the right hand, in unison
with her glance, is extended in an attitude
at once tolerant and protective, thus be-
speaking the spirit Of Freedom while af-
fording protection to the Genius of Devo-
ton in general, who, clinging to her right
for security, offers up his homage to the
Creator.
The Genius Of Devotion is ptrsonitied by
the figure OF boy, nude, with the eXcep-
/ tod Of some sparse drapery, raising pure
and sweet face prayerfully heavenward, and
holding in his left hand the consecrated yes.
sci OF burning incense, from which rises
the sacrificial flames.
Peacefully, though forewarned and vigi.
lant does the Genius Of Liberty stand
watch and ward over the sweet, trusting
sDirit OF Devotion, imparting the unmis-
taxable impression OF heroine, who, should
danger cali, would with adequate force pro
feet and maintain her charge.
To the left OF these figures we behold the
emblematic bird OF Q Freedom, holding II
his vigorous talons large serpent, the
spirit OF Intolerance, writing and van
ouished, whilst the eagle detiantly looks Tor
ward in anticipation Of new encounters.
The symbolism of all this is easily encom
passed by the mind. On the one side WE
behold the peaceful and tranquil spirit o.
Religious Liberty, while on the other Il
wased the fight against iniquity, tradition
ally represented by the serpent; ergo. LID
erty separates mentally as well as IN the
more tangible form, aggression ana lntoler
ance in course Of their overthrow, from tn'
element OF peaceful public worship, Hence
the idea which it was the task OF the artist
to give expression to is successfully ex
pressed, and we must accept the entire Ell
fort as really glorious one.
The group builds up well in every re
spect; the conception and display OF TN
| figures, with their respective habiilments
are equally free from trite realism on tn
one hand, and that automatic spirit tina
ever apes the antique idealism on the other
but throughout we behold not merely forms
but actually pulsating life, especially viyit
in the prayerful boy, while we must not iai
to add that the vivacity Of the entire worl
extends with undiminished ife-likenes:
even down to the eagle, OF which we must
in truth, say that it is the first gratifying
realism we have ever seen in plastic re
presentation of the g King OF Birds"
At all events, Philadelphia may be con
graduated upon the possession Of such /;
memorial work, so felieitous in conception
so signally successful in its execution; ant
the States may be proud to count this artist
as one OF their children.
F7 @ LEOPOLD JULIUS.
Dry Goods Clerks and the Ladies'.