Washington sentinel., 1854-04-30

PowELL's PAINTING.-Mr Powell, in his De
Soto discovering the Mississippi, has consum-
mated great picture, in double sense. 1t is
great by virtue of the space it covers, the can
vass being over II by Is feet. 1t is also great
in the treatment of the subject. The plot is
copious in figures, effective in grouping, true
to history in its portraits, costume, and devices
agreeable to high poetical idea Of the scene
described, yet altogether clear and simple. The
party of adventurers unexpectedly become dis.
coverers, have "reined upn on the northern
slope of the Chickasaw bluffs, which are visi-
BILE in the distance and their leader, De Soto,
sitting upon his light gray steed, is gazing with
rapt vision upon the mighty Father of Rivers
which rolls away west and south, in solemn
grandeur. The great cavalier and captain, a
mirror of Spanish chivalry of that age, is as
yet too absorbed to have uncovered his head.
The majestic scene before him rivets all his
gaze and thought; the cross is being raised al
most before him; he is doubtless silently sound
ing to the music of the great waters his excel
lent hymn Of glory to God and old CASTLE. De
Soto is the central imposing figure of the scene;
his charger looks worthy of such rider, and
the rider, glittering in knightly costume, looks
fit for the triumph he has achieved. The char
acter of the river is finely rendered, and the
sky natural, and so selected in point of mood
as to give the greatest breadth and effect to
water and landscape.
To the left front of De Soto, crowd upon the
river, typical as it were of the destiny of the
red race, group of Chickasaw Indians and
wigwams An old chief is presenting the
pipe of peace to the Spanish leader. The task
of the chief is a mixture of Cancellation and
suspicion. Near him stand two braves, their
shields and bows cast upon the ground, the one
looking stern and defantly, and the other,
though not pleased in the expression of his
face, displays, with evident pride in his grace.
ful and noble stature, an Apollo of his race.
Almost under the paving of De Soto's steed, a
group of maiden squaws are gathering them
selves up with a look of startled delicacy and
alarm, while an Indian mother, with papoose
cribbed and strapped to her back, is escaping
TO the rear Of the wigwams. The group raising
the cross, and the two officiating priests, are
strikingy given. The group is to the right of
the picture, and the foreground to the left is
continued with a sirnibasiceiie Of camp huts, a
group OF soldiers dragging and pushing forward
a cannon, wounded soldiers caring for their
wounds, &c.
Altogether, we find the picture in relief,
scope and detail, worthy the purpose for which
II has been consummated. We can well under.
stand that Mr., Powell has spent four or FIVE
years in celebrating and periecting his noble
conception, when We consider that he had to
search oui models for almost every object rep.
resented. That he was faithful In his labor.
tho praise Of his picture by the first of the
French artists, yernet, and other firstrate crit
ics, u pretty ample proof.
We learn the picture viii positively leave for
Savannah Tomorrow afternoon; therefore it
val only remain open nj the Masonic Hall
until Saturday, Al ? O'Clock, p. m.
Chariesfoa Courier, llM.