Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1840-12-24
THE BAPTISM OF pocAHoNrAs.


The following description Of this Painting is by
the Washington correspondent Of the New York
Evening Star
Among the most interesting of the i'm.
provements at the Capitol since the last
session of Congress, is the beautiful paint.
ing Of the Baptism of pocahonlas. by
Chapman, which is just completed, and
occupies the fifth panel ia the Rotunda.
! do not profess to regard paintings with
the eye OF an artist, or to be correct
Judge of all those niceties of light and
shade. iorc-shcrtening, perspective and
proportion, necessary to be observed that
great work should stand the test of crit.
lcism. II, however, the great merit Of n
painting consists in the fidelity with which
II represents the mental picture drawn in
the mind OF the artlst--ifa faithful copy of
nature, wherein ease and grace are so
portrayed by the pencil, that the spec,a-
tor iorgets that he is gazing on work Of
art, and fancies himself mingling in the
scenes of bygone days--if this be the per-
lection of the limner's art, It would no, be
easy to heap praises too extravagant on
the admirable painting of the Baptism of
Pocahontas.
A critic found fault with fruit piece Of
Apelles. The grapes, he said, wanted
the peculiar tint Of nature. While he was
speaking, bird flew into the room, and
directing lis course to the canvass, pecked
at the mimic fruit. Which was the bet.
ter Judge-the critic or the bird
The painting represents the figure OF
the native prncess-lightly aud symme-
trcally beautiful, with face in whose
sweet features love, tenderness, and rel-
gous awe are gracefully blended, --kncc.
ing at the altar to receive the consecra-
ton Of the venerable clergyman. Her
dress, Of the European fashion, is of SIM
pie white, and light mantle Of fine fur ap.
pears to have just fallen from her beauti.
fully turned shoulders. Close besides her
stands JonN RoLF-hs manly form III.
tie bent rs he gazes on his future bride.
To the left, in the front ground, is the sis
ter OF Pocahontas-half reclining, with an
infant IN her arms, and gazing with appa.
rent wonder on the unusual scene. The
Governor with his page and standard
bearer, form group behind the clergy.
man, and the back ground is filled with
the picturesque figures of the original
lords OF the forest, and the attentive coun-
ienances of their pale faced brethren.
The view OF the interior of the chapel is
said TO be an exact resemblance of the
hrs. edilice erected in jamestown.
To give an exact description of this
painting, or dwell at length ON all lis beau.
ties, would take more time than can at
present be afforded. II must suffice TO
say that It does great credit to the artist,
and would be sufficient to establish the
fame of one even hitherto unknown as one
of the first in the highest department Of
his art. In gazing on j, the Imagination is
carried back, and the observer, distracted
from surrounding objects, fancics himself
an actor in those stirring times, when a
mere handful Of Europeans opposed skill
and science to the lorcc Of whole nations
Of warlke savaees. He enters into the
interest excited by the scene portrayed
before him. lie sees lovely being cast
ing aside the usages, habiiments, and SUI
perstltions of savage life, and received
into the bosom Of civilized society. He
sees more than this. He beholds with
interest the tendency Of this step to civil.
lze the savage foe and bind them in friend
ship to the infant colony.
painter in giving the reason why he hattered
the portraits which he drew. said tina; person
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