1854-12-26 Winthrop Statue: Richard S. Greenough to Jacob Bigelow, 1831.039.007-008

Boston Dec 26 '54. 1

D^r Bigelow My Dear Sir.

Far from suspecting that, as you said, you were "half asleep" when you drew up the articles of contract for Winthrops statue, I should say that you were "wide awake."

If it were not that your time is more valuably employed, I should be inclined, seeing what a good contract you have aranged for

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always understanding. that Storys statue is the guide. For instance, If Judge Story was 5 f 9 in in height & his statue is 6 f 6 in in height, Then Gov Winthrop being 6 f in height, would require his statue to be 6 f.9. & say 2/5 in.

Fifth.

A penalty is attached to the failure of completion of the work within a given time. I think this a mistake for several reasons. If an artist desires to defraud he has many more expedient means of doing so than by

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the Corporation, to ask you to prepare one for me. Feeling that I must depend upon my own poor wits for the modifications of your note, I will put down my suggestions, as requested.

First. It will be necessary for me to model the head in Boston. here is the original portrait, which will be better than any copy.

Second. It is highly important that I should be left entirely free

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in regard to the treatment of my subject, and that, if after a mature consideration of the subject, I should feel its conclude to change, even from my study model, that I should be at liberty to do so. Sometimes we make several study models..

Third. It should be specified, that the statue is to be made of "first quality" marble

Fourth. The difference of size in the different subjects for statues, should be preserved in their respective statues;

2.

The delay of his work, in fact, the most obvious was is to hurry his work. Again, many circumstances such as difficulty in finding good marble, or good workmen, the recasting & improving important points; illness, or death of near relatives, to incapcitate from work, indeed innumerable causes may delay an artist, yet so that he can look upon his commission as a job. finish it according to law & contract. & quietly wash his hands of the blame by saying, I was obliged to

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made a marble pedestal for the Statue to rest upon, 1) if upon delivery of the statue, the parties ordering see fit, they are to deduct from the last instalment [sic] paid upon the statue, the cost of said pedestal, to defray the expenses thereof.

Such my dear Sir, would be the kind of contract which it would be a pleasure for me to make and execute, & hoping that it may meet your views I remain, Yours Respectfully. R.S. Greenough

deliver or forfeit." The artist lives by his reputation & that is in great part according to the satisfaction he gives his employers. The better way is to arrange the installments of his pay so as neither to leave him or his employer in debt. Custom has done this, and the rule in most cases of large commissions is as follows. One third of the whole on completion of study model. One half of whole, on completion of cast. The other half of whole on delivery of marble or [next page]

bronze. This rule, founded on the experience of artists sculptors for many years is equitable; no more than sufficient to insure them against the loss of marble and other accidents to which they are peculiarly exposed.

In the present case I should desire $500.- on completion of the head of Gov^r Winthrop, or of the study model, or of both. $1000.- on commencement of model of statue, $1000.- on completion of model, & $2500.- on delivery of marble in Boston.

P.S. R.S.G. is to cause to be