Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-01-27

THE NICHE STATUARY AT THE CORCORAN
GALIERY.-The statues of Phldias and Raphael,
executed for the front of the CorcOran Gallery
OF Art. by Mr.. Ezekiel, an American sculptor at
Rome, have beeH successfully placed In the
central niches at height of thirty feet from
the pavement, by Mr. bradley, contractor for
the work. In the two other inches have been
placed new pedestals for the remaining statues
OF Michael Angelo and Albert Durer, which are
expected early in the spring from Rome.
These statues, cute from SecOnd-claSS Carrara
marble of light grey color, contrast well with
the brown stone of the inches, and acquire
may be well to state that Phidias was the
renowned Greek sulptor who, in the reign OF
Pericles. ABS B. c., filled and surrounded the
Parthenon or Temple Minerva, at Athens, with
statues and bass-reliefs in a style of grandeur
and truth, such as were never equalled before or
since hiSday Indeed, 1t may be said, that they
will ever remain the unapproachable standard
Of the sublime in sculpture. In the Corcoran
Gallery. whose front is so fifty adorned by his
effigy, may be seen casts OF some OF his glorious
though mutilated works. such as the Two
FateS, TheseuS, Ilissus, and the baSs-reliefS of
the Panathenaic procession. To illustrate the
full grandeur of his genius, he erected statue
of MineWa 40 feet high, made OF ivory and gold
(chryselephantine>, in an inner part Of the Par
thenon, and his more famous bronze figure of
the same goddess 20 feet high, outside Of the
building.
Mr. Ezekiel's statute OF Phidias is an ideal
one but it is conceived and wrought in style
worthy Of the subject. Clad In tunic, thrown
back from his robust breast, the great master
stands at ease, with one foot slightly raised
upon a marble block The right arm hanging
down holds his mallet, while the left rests upon
his hip, and both, as also the bare legs, are OF
sturdy, muscular mould, significant type of
out of the dull marble The head is raised to
the left, and with the repose of the body con-
veys the idea of the sculptor pausing to observe.
the result OF his work.
opposite the greatest sculptor, stands the
statue OF Raphael the greatest o. ,,..,,,,,.ters-
l4sa-l52o For the li.enesss Of the head and face,
Mr.. Ezekiel had authentic guides, for every one
must recognize in the face, the flowing locks and
cap, the aspect made familiar by the divine
Raphael's portraits of himself. Unlike the
Greek masters, the face here is delicate ard
beardess. He is envelOped in cloak, or man.
tie, held together by his right hand while be-
meath its fold, prOtrude the palette and brushes
in his left, and the lower limbs are shapely and
well posed.
These statues about seven feet in height, are
executed in the broad free style necessary for
an elevated position with no pretenSiOn to the
finish and detailed character expected in ordin-
airy statuary in hall. Mr.. Ezekiel, the sculp-
tor Of them, we may add, Is a native OF Rich
mond, Va, who has resided many years In
Rome. He has filled several orders for statues
OF the above description for buildings in Berlin,
though his genius has constant employment In
the more finished walks of his profession. The
beautiful effect of these statues upon the build
ing delights every one. They are new evidences
OF the taste and munif1cence OF its venerable
founder, ever watchful to deyelOpe its attrac-
tions, and they also make the public the more
regret the untoward obstacles that thwart his
cherished and more important plan Of adding
to the gallery free Academy of Art