The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1880-05-29
THE STATUE.

The EXECUTION Of work Of art, the Kameha-
meba statue. not only the most
notable event, but il is a most interesting occur
renee, in Hawaiian history.
The photograph of this statue in plaster, as
exhibited in the city Of Florence, Italy, is before
us, and we have seen g letter from that city, in
which we are assured that James jackson Jarves,
a noted art critic, and former resident Of these
islands. also other gentlemen familiar with the
islands, expressed a high admiration for this
statue as a work of art, and as an illustration of
Hawaiian physique, being copied from photo
graphs Of living models.
We understand that this is not to be regarded
as a portrait statue. 1t is q commemorative mo-
nument. Yet the features have been modelled
after a portrait of the Conqueror, found in an
illustrated work by Dumont D'Urville, who
visited this country in 1916. This portrait rep
resents the old hero at about Ga years of age
when be was painted rather inartistically in shirt
sleeves, as may be seen in the original painting
the property of the Honorable Mrs. Bishop. The
so-called portrait, hanging up in the Legislative
Hall, is a copy by a Mr.. Nelson, and an imper-
feet one, to which he added the feather cloak.
Now the artist, Mr.. Gould, in accordance, as
we understand, with instructions from the Mo-
nument Committee, has essayed to represent the
Founder of the Kingdom at the period of bis most
decisive ~triumphs, when peace began to dawn
upon these war distracted isles, and when he was
in his prime, or about As years of age.
The artist was led to study the fine description
of Kamehameha, or " Tamaahamaha, - by Van
couver, when the chief presented himself before
the British Commander with a feather woven
helmet on his head, a royal feather cloak round
his person, and spear in hand. The model for
the helmet was found in the Museum of the
American Board of Foreign Missions in Boston,
and there is one in the Museum at the Govern
ment building in this city the feather cloak,
a small one, found in Boston was used
as a study of the surface of the peculiar
mantle but the model of the exact style worn
by the most distinguished of the ancient aliis,
was supplied to the Committee, by His Majesty
the King, as also the feather belt and baldric.
The spear of Kamehameha, deposited in the
Boston Museum, and mentioned in his history,
by Sheldon Dibble, was also studied, and in
respect to sandals, the artist was instructed by
the Committee to modify the simple style of the
Hawaiian sandal, or kamaa, as worn at this day
in districts of Hawaii, and to exercise his own
taste in giving a more classic appearance to the
sandal.
The pose of the statue, with spear in the left
hand, and the right outstretched with open palm,
indicates, as We suppose, the successful warrior
inviting the people of these isles to accept the
peace, and order that he had secured.
The outstretched hand in the picture appears
swollen, but this we learn from the artist is
merely a defect of the photograph.
J. This noble statue of heroic size, in dark and
gold bronze, is now finished in the city of Paris.
The bronzes of that city being regarded as superior
to any others in the world. And we understand
that all foreign diplomats, eminent French citi-
zens, and accomplished artists of that city, have
thronged to look upon the statue of the wonder
full Polynesian, who founded the Hawaiian King
dom.
We hope to see erelong, this statue, properly
placed as a noble monument of our city and
country.