The Sun.
London, England, 1866-08-25 00:00:00

Portrait of George Peabody.

We think there can be but one opinion of the princely
munificence of the great and good Georgo Peabody.
Stich disinterested benevolence as his, is a rare avis
and, like comets, of very rare occurrence. If we cherish
the memorials of friends in likenesses, how desirable that
we have correct or reliable ones. In the case of Mr.
Peabody we are singularly favoured by the artistic skill
and acumen of the world-famed photographer, Mr. Mayall,
of Regent-street and Brighton, as will be seen from the
following extract, which we cheerfully give from the
"Brighton Guardian" of the 22 nd inst. We content ourselves
for the present by giving that extract, securing for our-
selves the personal opportunity which we shall have
shortly of examining the production in question. But we
cannot help adding, and we do so in good faith, what Mr.
Peabody has done for the honour of humanity, Mr. Mayall
has done for photography that which at once puts him un-
disputedly at the head of that art. He may have his
equals, but unquestionably not his superiors. Some of these
days we propose spending an odd hour in his studios,
when we shall have much pleasure in referring to a few of
its specialities.
Inasmuch as Mr. George Peabody is perhaps the greatest
practical benefactor the English poorer classes have ever
had, and inasmuch as Brighton is honoured by being the
place where two portraits of him were painted for presen-
tation to instit itions he has founded in the United States,
we are glad to know that the working classes of Brighton
will have an opportunity of viewing the second of these
mementoes, and of becoming acquainted with 'the linea-
ments of the eminent and philanthropic man who but [a
short time since was residing in this town.
Our readers will recollect that while staying at Brighton,
Mr. Peabody gave Mr. Mayan, photographer, sittings at
the splendid studio erected by the latter on the King's-
road. The small photographs wero intended for publica-
tion, and have since been received both in Great Britain
and on the Continent with much favour. Mr. Peabody,
however, was so struck with the excellence and graphic
individuality and character of Mr. Mayall's enlarged life-
sized photographs coloured in oil that he gave a commis-
sion for two such portraits of himself to be painted. Ho
was then within a month of leaving for America, and
wished to take the first portrait with him, in order to pre-
sent it personally with the Queen's Letter to the Peabody
Institute, founded by him at his native town of Danvers.
The portrait was finished in three weeks, and was pro-
nounced by Mr. Peabody to be the only one with which
he had ever been really and entirely pleased. It now
hangs in the Institute at Danvers.. The second portrait,
designed by Mr. Peabody for presentation to the institute
he founded at Baltimore, has since been finished, and is on
private view during this week at Mr. Mayall's Brighton es-
tablishment, King's-road. It resembles the first portrait
iu every. respect, except that the he ad is turned a little
more to one side. This wo think an improvement. The
other portrait was equally perfectas a work of art, 1 ut the
aspect of the face in this ono is, to our mind, more graphic.
The principal features are more decidedly marked, and
there is a charming animation about the countenance
which was not so apparent in the fuller face of the
Danvers work. The head does not les° in dignity, in-
deed it rather gains, but the portrait looks smarter, if the
word may be used, and a more life-like air is imparted to
the.picture generally. The pose of the figure is exactly
the same as in the, previous work, and the accessories are
also copied, except in one respect. The Danvers portrait
had in the background, by Mr. Peabody's express desire,
thefitcade of the building iu which it has since been hung;
in this picture is introduced a battle monument standing
in the square where the Baltimore Institute is situate. If
critics aro inclined to cavil at the effect this has on the
picture, they need only recollect that in such a case tho
sitter's wish is the artist's law. As it is, the work is ono
of which Mr. Mayall may well be proud, and which will,
no doubt, be as highly cherished in Baltimore as its fellow
portrait is in Danvers. When the work was on view
hero we expressed our admiration of it, and wo can confi-
dently repeat all that wo then said, and apply the praise
to this later achievement of Mr. Mayall. 'Phis afternoon
the portrait will be removed to the Town Hall, where
"the whole town" will have free admission to it. Mr.
Mayall thus realises his kind wish that the Brighton
working classes should be familiarised with the lineaments
of the man who has done so much for their London
brethren. The Mayor granted the use of the Hall when
requested to dy so, and is entitled to thanks fur his com-
p] iance.