Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1904-02-29
ARTISTS OF VERMONT.

This paper on "Artists of Vermont"
was prepared for and read before the
Book and Thimble Club of Barton
Landing, Feb. 4, the day set apart by
the club as Vermont Day.
It almost seems as if Vermont was
over modest about publishing the
names of her sons or daughters, who
have, to any great degree, won the
appellation of artist. To this mod
esty, or to the fact that Vermont Is
younger state than some of the union,
conse quently has not had time to de-
velope many great artists, or else
some have have begun their career IN
this state, then after receiving the re-
quired instruction and experience
abroad, have remained outside, where
larger cities than exist in Vermont
furnished them opportunities for COL
tinuance in their work. Hence the
reason of our being able to learn so
little regarding them. All early
American painting was Influenced by
English and consists chiefly of por-
traits. Later artists vert to Rome
and Germany and brought back the
infiue nee of those schools. The char
acter of the paintings for the last
thirty years has been most strongly
jnflue need by French methods. Most
of the prominent artists now at work
have studied in Paris.
The first name of note as Vermont
artist is that of Hiram Powers, who
was born in Woodstock, Windsor
county, July 30, 1905; diedin Florence,
Italy, June 81, 1873. When a boy he
was taken with his family to Cincin-
natl. Ohio; where he learned the art
of model ing, and acquired some local
reputation for his busts and medal
lions of such men as Calhoun, Web
er, Jackson and Clay. After short
residence in Washington, D. c., he
went to Italy in 1887, settling in Flor
ence where the rest of his life was
spent In '39 or 40 he completed his
GIVE" and the "Fisher Boy" little
later. "The Greek Slave" (upon
which much of his fame now rests)
was finished in 1843. Of this figure
some six or eight copies came from
Powers studio. The first sold to
CAPTAIN Grant for 50 100000 was taken
to England, and is now in the gallery
of the Duke of Cleveland. The second
was brought to America in AT, and at
tracted great attention IN New York
, CITY and is now in the Corcoran Gal
lery in Washington. The third be-
! longs to the Earl of Dudley. The
fourth was purchased by Prince Dem
idoff for $4,000 co. At that noble
mans death it was sold to A. T
Stewart of New York for 81, 900 90
+ The fifth copy is in the possession o
Hon. E. W. Stoughton. Other works
t of Powers have been extensively re-
t peated. Among his ideal subjects arr
his "Penseroso," "America," "Ev'
: Disconsolate," ''Faith," Hope
d "Charity," "Clytie," "California,
l. ''Paradise Lost" and "Christ." Hi
= statues of Washington, Webster
Franklin, Jefferson, Calhoun an
6 others are in different American cities
q The original Webster was lost at se
and cost $4,000 90, the duplicat
y 100000. Hawthorne makes Miriam
y speak very pleasantly of an exquisite
s. ly carved hand, that of an infan
daughter of the sculptor. Althoug
= small and simple it is one of the mos
artistic and touching of Powers crea
% tions. 1t has been occasionally re
g produced. One fine copy is in tn
t. possession of Mr.. John Erskin of Bos
lie ton.
W His second son, Preston Power
(born in 1881 his only pupil, hf
= spent most of his time in the Unite
~ States, and Florence where his studio
once occupied by his father, remain
If The figure he produced of Senate
ed Jacob Colamer of Vermont, now
n the old Hall of Representatives
RS. Washington, is distinguished by
ne quiet dignity and ease, which tho
ne only can appreciate who know Il
- difficulties that have been overcor
~ in dealing with our modern costum
lis His bust of j. G. Whittier, from Iii
ed is in the public library at Haverhi
ers Mass and replica is to be placed
he the Boston public library. His bust
lty Swedenborg, belongs to the NJ
hc Church Society of Boston. His bu
~, of Senator Morrill, of Vermont,