The weekly independent. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss) 1848-1853, 1848-12-09
A NEW ARTIST.


Herald, letter from citizen of that
place, descriptive ofihe paintings by our
fellow townsman, j. I'll. Talum, which
are now almost ready for tie public eye.
We are glad 10 see that attention will be
drawn towards them in our large cities.
To call these paintings beautiful, or eX
presslve. or merely TO say that they will
repay the visitor is not 10 do them, the
artist, Or his conceptions. the justice
which they merit The best criticism we
know how to pay them, is 10 say That ev-
en- in their unfinished state, we are un
willing, unable as it were, to criticse.-
We lose the desire and power of criticism
IN the pleasure we take in silently obser-
wing and studying their beauties.
They will be ready for exhibition about
Christmas. You'd it not be an appro-
pirate compliment to a native Artist, in
this, the place ofhis residence, if some Of
our citizens would make arrangements to
take charge ofthe exhibition during that
week, and to conduct it under their aus
plces and with their personal influence,
thus giving tc Mr. Tatum kind of COM
plimentary benefit Itwould be a de-
served acknowledgement of his genius and
skill. anc by giving to his paintings an
active appreciation, it would probably en-
sure for him what he is justly entitled to,
something more solid than mere praises.
viii not the Democrat concur in uroinn
this suggestion!
Aberdeen, Miss, Nov. 9th, lS4S
DEAR SIB:--Believing you to be ever
ready to forward the interest of merit
and genius, and especially that Of "a young
and aspiring American, propose to pres
sent to you and the public, the claims Of
young artist, whose acquaintance have
made since my arrival in this young and
beautiful city.
Mr.. } ii. falum is a native of Alaba.
ma and has been engaged in The refined
and beautiful ayocarion of portrait paint.
ing for the las six or eight years. but not
finding sufficient latitude for his genius in
merely transferring to canvass "the haman
tar diriae," he has made what | would
call bold and noble stroke at ,hr grand
and sublime. ! called at his studio and
examined with great surprise, and much
greater pleasure, magnificent work. now
in forward state of complexion. and
which will soon be ready for public cxhi~
bitio N. The subject is the Redemption Of
Man by Jesus Christ, in three large paints
ings. The first is tie Passion in The GAR
den OF Gelhsemanc; the second the Cru,
clixion, and the third the Resurrection
from the Tomb. The paintings al ogcrh
er contain upwards Of forty figures as
large as life, and, | might say with aim ost
equal propriety, quite as naloral, but as
they have no, as yet received the finish.
ing touches from his well trained and
plastic hand, it is bard 10 imagine how
perfect they may yet appear. The concep-
lions are entirely original and are rraught
with the brl!liancy of genius aud subiimi.
ty of truth. The sly'c is new and Amer,
acam, and not incumbcred with the Grivo.
Ions &lalse appendages Of uuna,urai clouds
hosts Of unmeaning cheruhs. /
and baby angels smljrg around, where
there is no authority ior Introducing them.
On the contrary, where an angel shoald
appear in accordance with the text. he .
presents a lofty intelligence, woose digni-
iy and grace at once suggest the idea Of a
legale from the skies
The figure of Chnst, the presiding spirit
in each painting, is drawn with masterly .
hand, and without the addition of brilliant
circles, or glttering g'orios around the
head, (as IS always seem he iustis into the .
form, features and expression, the idea of
the incarnate God, and under the decisive
influence, it is hard TO restrain the tribute
Of vencrali0n.
1t would require many pages to give
any thing like an adequate idea Of the (
beauty, truth and grandeur eff the subject
at which [ have so slightly glanced, and
not feeling myselflo be a ronnosseur nor
accustomed to writing for The public eye,
| will leave the more thorough descrip-
zion to those whose habits better ft them
to do the subject and the accomplished az
fist the justice they so richly deserve, and
to place them in their proper light before
the American public. Thus iuch | have
felt it my duty as well as pleasure to
say, being ever anxious that genius shoud
meet its reward in this, our free and en-
lightened land.
And hoping that ere long you will have
the pleasure Of seeing and Judging this
fine work Of art, as Mr. I'atum expects to
visit our city this season. remain your
obedent servant. G.. BARNES.