Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-08-08
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RICHMOND, AUGUST 3. 1871.
IHE PdINIINGS.

lruDihnlls Paintings for MONEY W.
thought IL had a tendency 10 increase that
thirst Tor gold which is already sufficient.
! Is active in The American people. The
CHARACTER OF every naiion rs made up Of
particular impressions: as drops of water
form stream and IL is The example OF
such distinguished men, as Col. Il. that
leaves the deepest impression behind it.
Under these feelings we speke the senii.
menis we entertained about This exhibi.
'ion.-fet as ihepaiuling had been taken
down TO be sent 10 Washington, we we're
willing 10 drop the discussion but the
following Communication from the pen
| oil one OF the greatest Young artists this
country has produced" being forwarded
from n. York, we do not think ourselves
at liberty TO withhold il.
An Editorial article having appeared i'm The
New York Daily Advertiser, commenting M .
OF some remarks made in The Richmond EH.
9ulrer. 'n,sspectlns the improprie,y of Colonel
irumouilS exhibition OF his painting of the
surrender OF Cornwaliis-an exposition of the
mis'statements and trtiiiiies cOniainsd in that
article are herewith furnished the Editors of
,ne Enquirer Ivy person acquainted with some
Mr.. Dwight pretends to saw that the custom
prevailed in France aud Enylaud.-I is true
that David made the attempt in Paris some
10 or 20 years since, with his picture of the
Sd6ihes, and this was the first Instance there
aud II met with general ceusurp the prece-
Gent was not conntenanced nor continued
Bnt this picture of Dav;ds was his own and
MOI Male at command OF Government, or any
Individual. No artist in Paris would ever have
'houSht OF exhibiting picture tor pecuniary
prollt, painted on the terms of Colonel Trum-
bull
The truly splendid paintings of the battle of
Auste''itz by Gerard, and The Pest of .jaaa
aud battle ct Eylau by Gros, the battle OF Ma
hN g.n
AT the public exhibition of the Louvre. free
from any contributions from the pubic
These pictures were all in point OF size and
labor, and certainly in point of merit, fully
equal 10 those of Mr.. land for which the
artist only received 10000 francs, equal to
about 1000 tor each picture. What the prac.
ice has been in England l am not able to saw
with certainty, but doubt whether Mr. West
or Copley, when they had engaged to paint
picture, aud for which they were To be paid
when finished, exhibited such a picture for
private emoluHent.
Iia, Sir Thomas Lawrence should request
Tue permission OF exhibiting his portrait O..
MIR West at the public exhibition of the tioyaI
academy, was not with Il view TO pecnniary
gain, bnt TO add 10 kIs reputation az an artist
tue receipts there being tor The benefit OF the
institution.
had Trumbull exhibited his picture at the
academy here for the benefit OF that institution,
he wuuid have heen emitted to The epithet i5e-
RAJ which has been so undestrvedly brsIuw ed
upon him by his Connecticut friend Dwight
Moreover MIR. Trumbuil, not content with the
proceeds of day heht eXh bitIon, must
a'so shew IL IN the evening, sy artificial light
IN order TO reap further pecuniary profits from
the idle crowds thai patroe Is oadway at that
period, evidently betrayjng a thirst Tor catch
ing ali the StI!ingS lie could. 1t is well called
a pediinS concern In no country has il ever
been thought fiji 10 exhibit an historical pic.
tire, painted IN oil colours Ly candle or lamp
hight. which can never be advantageous TO a
good picture, whatever its effect may be on a
bad one.
The conduct of Col. TrumbHll is the more
unworthy. as he Is The only American painter
who has been patrouized by the General Gov
erimtnt--and TO an extent which would be
thought To satisfy even has cupidity, or hisown
opinion of his claims 10 patronage.
The above is due 10 justice aud to truth-of
the merits of the Surrender oil CORVALLIS. |
shall fOi bear TO remark
Mr. Dwight says that until delivery OF the
picture the artist cannot claim his remnnera-
iion. Mr.. TrumbuiI contracts to finish The
pictures toih all reasonable dispatch. When fin
isted the government is responsible for The
price,. ..ApprOprations have been made for
this purpose aud when the picture is finish-
ed, why does not the artist denver il and CLAIM
has compensation? The delivery OF the picture
rests with the artist; aud if lie Will not deliver
IL, il is more than iallacy TO make that au exc
cnse tor exhibiting il tor the purpose of pri-
waite emoiument.