Harper's Weekly,
December 5, 1868, Page 772.
Houdon's Washington
PERHAPS on the termination of a general election for President of the United States nothing could be offered to inspire the patriotism of our readers so much as a likeness of WASHINGTON. It appears on this page, and comes from a photograph of the statue of WASHINGTON in the Capitol at Richmond, Virginia. This statue has been justly spoken of as the most precious work of art to Americans that exists in the world. It is undoubtedly a true representation of the noble features and form of the “Father of his Country.”
The Legislature of Virginia in 1784 unanimously passed a resolution “requiring his image to be made in the purest marble by the most eminent sculptor in Europe.” The duty of selecting an artist was committed to JEFFERSON and FRANKLIN, who offered the work to HOUDON, then the celebrated sculptor in Paris. Although the sum appropriated was inadequate, HOUDON answered: “It would be the glory of his life to be enabled to place his name humbly upon the plinth of a statue representing that good man.”
It was supposed that whatever artist might be engaged would perform his work in Paris from such material as he could obtain; and for this purpose a copy of PEALE'S full-length portrait of WASHINGTON was sent to France; but HOUDON rejected all such aids, and determined to proceed to America to obtain the requisite materials.
JEFFERSON informed WASHINGTON that the artist “had difficulty to withdraw himself from an order of the Empress of Russia,” who expressed her surprise that HOUDON should leave the rewards offered at her court to make the statue of Colonial Rebel.
JEFFERSON described the artist to WASHINGTON as “without rivalship, and as disinterested, generous, candid, and panting after glory.” “He comes now for the purpose of lending the aid of his art to transmit you to posterity.” FRANKLIN accompanied HOUDON across the ocean and announced their Arrival in Philadelphia. To this WASHINGTON, then at Mount Vernon, replied on the 26th September, 1785. On the same day he sent a characteristic letter to HOUDON, which is as follows: “Sir, —By letter, which I have lately had the honor to receive from Doctor FRANKLIN at Philadelphia, I am informed of your arrival at that place. Many letters from very respectable characters in France, as well as the Doctor's, inform me of the occasion; for which, though the cause is not of my own seeking, I feel the most agreeable and grateful sensations. I wish the object of your mission had been more worthy of the masterly genius of the first statuary in Europe, for thus you are represented to me.
“It will give me pleasure, Sir, to welcome you to this seat of my retirement; and whatsoever I have or can procure that is necessary to your purpose or convenient to your wishes you must freely command, as inclination to oblige you will be among the last things in which I shall be found deficient, either on your arrival or during your stay.”
HOUDON immediately proceeded to Mount Vernon, and was cordially received. Although the artist had been led to anticipate the highest pleasure from beholding WASHINGTON, yet afterward stated to JEFFERSON that he “had no idea of the grandeur of his form, features, and presence.” WASHINGTON at first refused HOUDON's request to allow plaster casts to be taken of his face and whole person, but such was the confidence which the artist inspired that WASHINGTON submitted, saying, “Do with me as you please. I can refuse you nothing;” and thus it was that his whole precious form has been transmitted to our time.
HOUDON remained at Mount Vernon a fortnight engaged in taking casts, which he sent to Paris. The moulds of the head were retained under his special charge, he observing: “If they are lost in the ocean I am determined to perish with them.” He descended so far into the minutiæ as to make casts of WASHINGTON'S watch-seals, spurs, and walking-stick, which appear in the statuary.
HOUDON determined, immediately on looking at WASHINGTON, to take him in the costume of the time, which accorded with WASHINGTON'S wishes, and with the judgment of the best authorities abroad. This garb was finally adopted, and hence WASHINGTON appears in his ordinary dress. The attitude in which he stands was common on important occasions. He had resigned his authority as Commander-in-Chief. The cane of the civilian which he holds in his, right hand is intended to express that he had become a private citizen. His sword and military mantle resting on the rods or fasces —the military emblem of the Confederacy— the Constitution of the United States had not then been adopted— presents the same idea. The original statue, chiseled in Paris, now stands in the Capitol at Richmond. It represents WASHINGTON at the age of fifty-three, then in the prime of life. The tranquility and dignity of the expression can not be surpassed. His noble frame stands there in full majesty.
We have often regretted that this work of art, so precious to those now on the stage and to generations to follow, should still stand in a building not only not fire-proof, but easily destroyed. It should be placed beyond the possibility of destruction in a fire-proof edifice on the Capitol grounds. This, we hope, may be done, and we beg leave to suggest it to the present authorities of that State.
We have, however, the gratification to know that three bronze copies of it were taken under the consent of an act of the Legislature of Virginia, and that one of them is at Raleigh, another in the grounds of the college at Lexington, Virginia, presided over by General LEE, and the third is temporarily deposited in the City Hall at New York. The latter is offered for sale at $10,000 on behalf of the widow and heirs of HUBARD, the artist who made these bronze copies.
We have high authority in the pamphlet from which we have gathered these facts for stating that the copy is exact, and trust that it may be obtained for erection in Central Park. We hope this will be done, so that whatever may be the fate of the original our people here can have the opportunity, as they gaze upon the noble features and form of WASHINGTON, to recollect his example, and to resolve to follow him as the purest and truest of the great men who have adorned the world.