The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-02
The Fine Arts.

picked up to date.
The Fine Arts.
rOwELL's GREAT NATIONAL PICTURE.
The great historical picture by Powell, of Cincin.
natl representing the discovery Of the Mississippi
river by fernando de Soto, will be opened tomorrow
to the public in the late exhibition room Of the late
Art Union in Broadway
This picture was painted by order Of Congress,
the act authorizing it specially delegated Mr. Powell
for the work, as Western man, and directed him 70
select some Western subject identified with our coun-
5y's history for his canvass, leaving the par
ticular theme to his own discretion. The painting
being intended to fill the vacant panel in the rotundo
of the Capitol at Washington, it was thought fit, as
all the others of the circle representations OF
scenes lying east Of the Aleghanes, that this one
should be specially dedicated to the West and given
to Western artist The result is the magnificent
Chef dGurre which will be opened for exhibition to-
morrow.
Before proceeding to brief description of this
spler did work. a few words concerning the subject
delineated, may, perhaps be useful to some OF our
readers. The discovery of the Mississippi by De
Soto involves one of the most interesting volumes of
the early explorations in North America by the chi
yalry of Spain, when Spain was power in the
earth and her soldiers excepting their bgoted cruelty
20 the Indians, were the living realities in courage
and galantry Of the steel clad knights Of the dark
ages.
fernando de Soto, sometimes called Ferdinand
de Soto) as Governor Of Cuba, had received the title
Of Marquis of Florida, from Charles V. when, with
nearly q thousand men raised In Spain, he under
took the formal occupation Of the peninsula to
gh;ch lie owed his title. Ten ships were fitted out
in Spain to carry out his troops and necessary
stores and they sailed from San Lucar for Cuba in
April, 1893. Vn the Ictn may, suv s...c yu.r ou.v,
or De Solo, as we shall call him. sailed from Havana
on his Florida expedition, with nine vessels, nine
hundred men, besides Sailors two hun dred and thir
teen horses and herd Of swine. On the 30th May
he arrived IN the bay Of Espirtu Santa the Holy
Spirit (Tampa Bay where he landed three hundred
men and pitched his camp, but being attacked by
large force Of Apalaches (known to US as the war
like Seminoles he was compelled to retire. He, how
ever landed again with his whole available force,
includi1 detachment of priests and friars, and
several pieces Of heavy artillery. But De Soto was
not satisfied with the simple occupation Of Florida.
As officer Of Pizarro in his dashir and stirring
adventures in Peru, he had seen too much Of the
wild romance Of Indian warfare to be content with
the monotony Of mere military experiment at
colonization. So, with vague expectation of dis
coveries Of gold among the abongines, he set out
due west with his army of some six hundred men,
including many distinguished Spanish hidalgo
who had joined him and his fortunes for the love Of
adventure. After numerous bloody battles with the
Ir dams in his route, in Of which two thousand
of the natives were slain, and nearly hundred Of
the spaniards, De Soto, in August, 1912, reached
the Mississippi river on the bluff Gf our memory
serves us,) now known as Natchez on.the Hill, and
he only elevated point the river for hundreds of
niles in either direction. We shall pursue this
ortunate adventure no farther, for here we are
brought to the historical incident to which we are
indebted for this painting the immediate subject
before us.
Mr.. Powell has selected the moment when De
Soto and his cavaliers from the hill got the first full
view Of the broad excanse OF the father of waters
and If be has not made the most of his that
could be crowded into it without discord, we are
much mistaken. Beginning in the centre, the mail
clad hero OF the picture, upon fiery white horse, is
striking]y conspicuous. Behind him are bis suhor
dinate cbieftaips on horseback, splendidy capari-
soned, according to the Spanish warlke fashions of
that day. IN the midst Of them, upon a patient
donkey in regal harness, is white friar The eyes
Of all this PARTY, with general expression of intense
fixed upon the river, the riar hav
ing his hands and eyes uplifted in devout thanks
giving. Behind this group, to the left, follow the
mailed ard h.Imeted warriors of the expedition,
their bristling spears and battle axes, in heightened
lTay, stretching back till lost in the misty woods
thus leaving upon the imagination . vivid impress
sion Of powerful force still behind, though inyisi
BILE to the eye.
To the right, upon plateau, on the immediate
river bank, is cluster of four Indian tents fantas
cal]y frescoed with barbaric devices By the side
# there tents stand group of Indian warriors in
he most striking costumes of their tribe. An old
bief Is reaching forward the pipe Of peace to the
wonderful invaders of his lands with air nd bear
Dg OF profound humility. Another ia looking on
With fixed amazement at the terrible intruders, while
younger warrior is resolutely gazing at De Soto
With determined stolidity In front of these warriors
IRE two Indian damsels nearly naked, and finished
10 the highest perfection Of Indian beauty, reclining
pom the ground, with some baskets of corn, ducks
and other peace offerings lying before them to the
acceptance Of which they yainly endeavorng to
gain De Solo, for his eyes fixed upon the Missis
-ippi.
In the immediate foreground to the right, group
Of and wounded soldiers gathered.
Some Of them are placing in battery for the
protection Of the camp. One of these has white |
bar lkerchief lied over ugly cut in his forehead
mother old campaigner is sitting down. bandaging
his damaged leg, while another dusky and rusty with
bard usage, Is holding his helmet before his eyes,
While looking ont upon the great river their outlet
o the sea and to home. Next to this group in |
he foreground il q pile OF small arms OF |
he style Of that time, some of the exact |
patterns Of which may now be seen in |
he Crystal Palace, sent over from the Tower Of |
London by Queen Victoria These arms are resting
,pon the camp chest, which is almost as strongly
banded with iron as one Of our salamander safes.