The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1883-03-03
Correspondence Baifiaore Coanfy raiom.
4 FORGOTTEN AMERICAN SCULPTOR.

McssFf. EdtfVFss luc bnoch fFau free ii.
brary, Of Baltimore, will place upon its facade In
enduring marble q memorial Of weil-nigh Tor
gotten American sculptor, :. V. Clevingcr. It's
the bust OF Daniel webster, one OF the hye butts
which will illustrate art. science, literature, &e.
That Of Webster is intended a. the memorial Of
the American Ftatcsman, the others being Of
Franklin. Irving, dc.
4 coed Representation of Mr. Webster va.
sought in vain In Baltimore for perpetuation IL
stone. There we're portraits enough, bat no
models. AZ length n gentleman connected with
the Peabody Institute bethought him Of n bust
taken from life more than forty years ago, and IN
the possession o: Of our occasional correspon.
whose very name has probably never been heard
% by our readers. Yet he promised 10 stand IN
the same rank With Hiram Powers and ThoD-t
Crawford, and, but for his early aud hapless -
would have done 20.
In 1889 this young and unttied sculptor made
his way to Boston. Crawford's "0rphans," a
masterpiece Of art In marble then ON exhibi
ton ut the Atheneum, aud thousands thT0nged 20
see Il. Yet at the same time the modest, tinid
Ohio boy had = room apart In the same buiding.
aud thiiher came ''the ancient and honorable %
Boston, eager 90 sit 90 the young sculptor. The
only work he hal brought with him of national
note was the bust of Henry Clay. Tais bust, how.
ever, was - striking without effort. 80 elegant
without nattery, that u al attracted the gaze
Of Daniel Webster aud Edward Everett. Both
these eminent men Immediately engaged them.
selves 20 him, and our correspondent himself, who
knew Clevngcr WE'LL saw him while engaged upon
the bust Of Everett. Clcvinger's modest aud
almost too retiring manners were no less praise.
worthy than his genius, and equally opened to
him the very hrst circles OF Boston society. lie
modelled the busts Of Hon. Joseph Story. judge
of the United States Supreme Court; Judge
Isaac i. David, Of Boston; Hon BENJAMIN llusscy,
henciacior Of Harvard College; Hon. Thomas
Motley. the father of the great historian; Chief
Justice Lcmuel shaw. Of Massachnsetis, and
many others u her most distinguished sons.
Bu, To the bust of Webster. the great statesman.
who then In the full Hover and
physical grandeur. a, about the age Of 80, and
scarcely never was set upon mortal man the seal
Of . more imperial presence His hais vas then
/ worn short behind; was gracefully brufbe' 81
bis temples, and shaded the magnificent brow be-
meath which glowei the great cavcrnous eyes
which u, that countcnance with almost eeles-
ttnl IRE. Such triumph was Clevingcrs success
that his work was recognized at once a. the one
only bust Of Webster. Admirers of the great
statesman hastened TO order copies Of u. and the
one 10 question came TO baltimore. few weeks
since u was loaned by the gentleman owning u.
and - talented young artist from Munich has
made an admirable copy, enlarged for the height
81 the building. which will ~ before mentioned.
he carved in marble TO adotn the facade of tho
grand Pratt Library.
Leaving Boston with brilliant reputation.
Young Clcvinger proceeded TO New York and
there also modelled tho bus,s Of many noted per
sons. Among them was that Of one 81 the most
gifted women IN America. MI' Julia ward Howe,
then Young unmarried lady, the daughter Of
Mr. Samuel Ward. a celebrated merchant Of The
Old school. CieVingcr modelled THIS bust az Mr.
wards house. On the corner OF broadway aud
Bond street at that time the region Of rank and
fashion IA dwelling places. There cur eorresPen.
den, saw him for the last time lie soon after
ward went 20 Florence With scanty means and
strong ambition. Alas his brilliant career had
endei IA America, and he sought the city Of the
Meiici' spending there te" years only to live
IN poverty sud die oi broken heart.
We quote in conclusion a letter from Mrs
Hove: "Clcyinger vent 60 Europe With his young
wife and child. iull of high hope. but once there,
found himself out of the tide u general noiicf
and patronage and obliged to compete with
artist. who had already won the public favor. On