New-York daily tribune., 1843-10-19
weir,s Picture.

The subject OF this picture, which Is destlfen ioI
the Rotunda at Washington, is the " Embarkatlon
of the Pilgrims" There is but one opinion re-
specting its merits 1t is an honor to Mr.. Weir,
and will be an ornament to the Capitol. We
have seldom been more struck with painting at
first sight, than we were with this The group
ing is certainly very fine. If there IS one head
more like the old Dutch masters than all the
Others, it is the Captains. 1t is admirably paint
ed. The minister, Mr.. Robinson, and Elder
Brewster, are finely executed, but the noble heads
are not Dutch nor English-they are Italian. In
deed, they are like remembered faces, and uncon-
sciously remind Us of those heads of the Apos-
ties, in Rome and Florence, which have so long
been the study Of artists. We do not know
whether Mr. Weir has been in Italy, but if he
has, memory has done more for those two heads
than imagination. The vessel and drapery are
perfectly painted. We wish we could say as
much for the hair. It is sadly defective. Miles
Standisf, the soldier, and his wife, forming Sc
parale group, are finely designed, but badly exc
cutcd kneehng on only one knee, and resting has
chm on the hilt of his sword, he looks as II ne
would rather, any time, fight thanpray. BUTT has
an unfinished look, as if done in a hurry. AS this
cannot be, we attribute this effect to the redun-
dancy of bright coors so far in the foreground
It is always dangerous to cover one of the near
est and most prominent objects with the hvellest
colors We dislike, also the placing the parting
scene between the husband and wife in SO promi-
nent n place The Pilgrim, with his hat on
standing so near the knecling elder, dlsturbs the
harmony of the scene. If it were anybody but
one of the pilgrims, it might do; but his place Is
with that kneeling group in this heart breaking
hour We would not have him forgetful OF his
wife, nor vet so wholly Indifferent to the astpart
ing prayer of his beloved pastor. But we will
not find fault. 1t has thousand beauties; and
there is no figure which interests US more than
the boy who stands with his back TO the specta-
tor. You see not feature; but you know Just
how he looks he is leaning on the bulwarks,
forget!ul of the group before him-of his dog and
gun, and is gazing thoughtfully and sadly out
upon the wide sea. As he leans his head on his
hand, and looks off on the boundless eSpanse,
strange, and underlined thoughts are passing
through his heart. You feel interested IN hlm,
and are anxious to Lnowliis future history. The
little sick boy must be a portrait, it IS SO per
feet. Many dislike the rainbow and the Storm
cloud in the distance. It's always hazardous to
blend the allegorical and historical together
but if it be ever allowable, it is here. The
terrific storm is already gathering IN lmagln-
ation to one who looks on them with their history
fresh in his memory. He would think Of it, and
that ia vessel together, were it not painted. and
like as it did to Noah on his solitary ark, we
want TO see the rainbow of promise bending over
that sad, yet faith-sustaned group There they
are-thc minister and the little remnant of hls
flock, praying on the deck of the heaven-sent
vessel-noblc hearts, every one. There is sorrow
enough there, but no relentirig. Indeed this must
always be favoritc picture. You might as
well expect monk to dislike the picture Of St.
Francis in his ecstasy, as an American to coolly
crticse painting of the Pilgrim Fathers, either
in their embarkation or stormy landing on Ply
mouth rock.