The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1889-02-21
PAUL AKsas' FAMOUS WORK.
Tho Dead Pearl Diver Finds Pur-
chaser In Portland. Me.

Tho "p-sJ Pearl Diver Finds n Pur-
chaser In Portland. Me.
Readers of "The Marble Faun" will
remember the studio of the american
sculptor Kenyon" in Rome, and two
pieces of statuary therein favored with
especial notice by Hawthorne. Tho
sculptor Kenyon" was Paul Akers
We know this because Akers occupied
at that time the studio which had been
Canova's-the self same studio in
which kenyon" wrought because
tho description of his features ar1nly
cut, as il already marble, an ideal
forehead, deeply set eyes and mouth
much hidden in light brown beard. |"
applies to Akers; and, finally, because
in the preface 10 the Marble Faun"
Hawthorne says that the American
artist Of his romance is none other
than Names gifted sculptor. In that
studio there were two pieces OF Akers'
work that strongly attracted Haw.
thorne. One was the marble bust Of
Milton, which is now in the library at
Colby university, the other was the
Dead Pear, Diver" Of which tho
Miriam" of the Marble Faun" says
in words that cmtody the criticism Of
Hawthorne himself: ~ like this
statue; though IL is too cold and stern
in its moral lesson, and physically, the
form has not settled itself into osufii-
cient reposo."
"I'he Pearl Diver" was modelled in
Italy In 1857, and cut in marble the
next year. Akers died in 1861, when
only 35 years of age, leaving accom-
plished great work, which seems
small, however, beside the lavish
promises Of his genius. The Dead
| Pearl Diver was carried TO New York
by Akers, and there became ono of the
the Dusseldorf gallery. When that
exhibition was broken up the Pearl
Diver" with other fine spoils OF tho
collection, was taken 10 the Academy
Of Fine Arts in Buffalo, N. Y.
The academy could not afford to buy
| II, but il was allowed to remain there,
where 1t was admired by all who saw
it. Governor Israel Washburn was
very anxious TO have il purchased and
brought 10 Maine, but gave up the
undertaking because there was no so-
ciety with facilities for caring Tor II.
| When the Society OF Art was formed
in Portland, however, Mrs. Elizabeth
Akefs Allen thought the time suitable
for having the statue placed IN the
city, which, before all other cities,
should remember the work OF Paul
Akeis
The real value OF the statue, as the
sculptor would compute ii, was some
thing like 10000. Mrs Allen, how
ever, was willing that 1t should go 70
| Portland for price as low as would
| be proper for such a work OF art. Sc
| sho fixed the price at IS, 600, and then
offered to contribute herself $1,000 10
ward the sum needed The offer wal
promptly nado known to prominent
citizens Of Portland, who responded
readily and literally with tho fund,
needed TO complete the sum OF IS, ,000
The money has been paid over and the
i statue hns arrived at Portland.
The figure tells its story ut the first
glance Stretched on the worn rock,
at the bottom Of the sea lies the diver
Tapped in the soft slumber of death
and rocked gently, one feels. by ths
multitudinous waves.
The arms are thrown carclessiy
above tho head, one hand buried In
the floating mass OF long, dark hair.
The net partly filed with pearl bear
ing shells, which he will never beai
TO the upper world, is still attached Il
tho divers waist The bright youn2
! fgce is TUNED upward, but the hall
closed eyelids ara weighted with cter
nal sleep. There is nothing repulsivt
in the little figure or in the cxps~ssioS
Of the delicate features. It is daatA
IN its most peaceful form. -