The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-06-07

lld( VI AK
Aibrizzi in 9TH Works of Antonio
CanoVa," illustrated by the great
English e~ngraver, Henry Moses She
says:
TN this fine composition Canova has
not only maintained the dignity Of his
subject. but (warmeu by admiration
OF the amiable qualities Of this illus
triOus MANI has also infused into the
statue an expression OF the g~entleness
Severer virtues.
The hero is sitting with an air of
noble simplicity on an elegant seat,
raised or a double square base. No
thing can surpass the dignity Of the
attitude of the living air Of medita-
ton which it breathes and the grand
eur Of the style, the force and free
dom Of the execution, the close and
animated resemblance to the original,
ali conspire to place this statue in the
highest rank of art. The fine tuniC
which he wears is seer only at the
knee, being covered by an ample Orna-
mented cuirass, above which is a mag
nif1cent mantle fastened by a clasp
on the right shoulder. and flowing
down behind majestic folds. Beneath
his right foot, which is extended for
ward, is a p~arazonium, sheathed, and
a sceptre. signifyfng that the sue
cessful termination of war, and the
establishment Of laws has rendered
them now useless.
"The hero Is in the act Of writing
on a tablet held in his left hand, and
resting on the thigh, which Is slightly
raised for its support From the fol-
lowing words already inscribed on It
we learn the subject which occupies
his mind-'CeOrge Washington to the
people OF the United States-Frtends
n fellow citizens In his right hand
he holds h e with a suspended
air. as if a~nxiously meditating on the
avs fitted to promote the happiness
OF his c~ountrymen; a border OF the
mantle. raised to the tablet by the
hand which supports it, gives a fine
effect to this graceful and decorous
action. In his noble countenance the
sculptor has finely portrayed all his
great and amiable qualities, inspiring
the beholder with mingled sensations
Of affection n generation. This
statue is only in a slight degree larger
than life; his robust form correspond
ing with his active and vigorous mind,
II to his great man q worthy
cause was not wanting, OF the means
Of acquiring the truest and most last
ing glory, neither has he been less for
tunate after death, when, by the gen
Jus Of so sublime an artist, he appears
again among his admiring country
men in this dear and venerable form;
not as a soldier. though not inferior
10 the greatest generals, but in his
lOftier and more benevolent character
Of the %virtuous citizen and enlighten-
ed law-giver."
But the Countess Albrizzi's enthusi-
ast1c admiration Of the sculptor prob
ably dulled her critical judgment. A
more critical writer In 1.-The North
American Review" OF October, 1929
the view of those who prefer
to see Washington in the uniform OF
an American general or the costume OF
a Virginia planter. He says:
1.-THE chisel OF Canova was ompar-
atively seldom exercised in portraits
(f this term may be used in refer.
ence to statuary), but Of the few
which he executed, two are particu-
larry remarkable from the extraordi.
airy interest Of the subjects. We
allude to those of Napoleon and
larger than nature, and was executed
in 1903 for Napoleon himself. Their
is also a bronze cast OF the model in
the palace Of arts at Milan. The
Washington, as u readers are aware
was executed for the State Of North
Carolina, and was sent home, we be-
lieve, in the year 1921. The Napoleon
is entirely without drapery, excepting
q loose military cloak, which hanks
from the left arm, without GOVERNS
any part Of the figure. The Wash
ington is clothed in the habit Of an an
Gent Roman warrior. In both cases
Canova has, we think, exhibited q
less correct Judgment in regard tc
costume that we should naturally have
expected from his consummate taste
The costume Of the Washing
ton is less injudicious than the no
costume Of the Napoleon. but is moi
In our opinion, conceived on correct
principles Of taste. The sitting atti-
tude. employed by Canova, is also less
advantageous han the upright one
would have been. It is only in fac
IN a standing position that the human