Peace no relation Boston
The bill proposes to purchase an historical painting entitled "Peace" by Walter L. Dean of Boston, Massachusetts. It represents "The Squadron of Evolution," better known as "The White Squadron," as constituted in 1891, lying peacefully at anchor in the harbor of Boston. This squadron is the nucleus of the present Navy. The Chicago as originally constructed was bark rigged, and it is in the foreground of the painting. The Boston and Atlanta are represented as brig rigged, while the Newark is bark rigged and the Yorktown is schooner rigged. These vessels have since been reconstructed to meet modern requirements, so that their original identity has been lost. "Peace" shows them as originally constructed, and is a means of keeping in view the type of ship which started the Navy of which every American is justly proud. There is no question among the minds of your committee but what it is perfectly proper that this historical painting should be owned by the Government and hung in a suitable place in the Capitol building.
The painting is 9 feet long [274 cm] by 6 feet 3 inches high [191 cm]. Wherever it has been exhibited nothing but praise has been bestowed upon it. It was shown at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1892 [1893], where it occupied a place of honor in the United States section of the fine arts department. It was then exhibited at the St. Louis Museum of Fine Arts, and afterwards sent to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. It was next shown in the art gallery of the Massachusetts Mechanic's Association fair, and later in the public library under the auspices of the Worcester Art Society. Later it was sent to the Tennessee Centennial Exposition at Nashville, and also to the public library at Bridgeport, Conn. Then at the Boston South End Exposition, and last summer at Poland Springs, Me. Where it was placed in the building which had previously been the Maine State Building at the Chicago Exposition. In all these places this work of art occupied the place of honor and received many awards.