Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-11-30
Tile LATE ROBERT VI. SULLN.

w, announced the death of this distinguished mr.
tist few DAYS ago. and briefly expressed our feelings
at the time Since then we have learned some OF the
particulars Of his exit from li(c, which have only
served to hechtem our regret. We knew the deceas-
ed somewhat fumiliarly for some years. during his re.
sidence in our city, and whilst wc admired his bril-
limit talents as an artist, we could not help warmly
.,te.mup some of his most amiablc qualities as a
man. Unhappy, however, neither his fortune nor
his fame WAS ut all equal to his merits and lie lived,
as WERE under cloud, and oppressed by adverse
circumstances which lie could not control. He bore
up, however, against them with manly foriiude
which won our respect and at length the state OF his
affairs seemed about TO change very greatly, for he
received IL pressing invitation from Lyman c. Dra-
per- ESD, the worthy secretary Of the Historical So
ciety of WISCONSIN, to visit Madison, the capital of
TINT State, where he was assured that number Of
the most distinguished citizens were ready to sit 10
him for their portraits, and to employ him IN taKih"
copies Of his Pocahontas, Black Hawk, Chiet JUS
tice Marshall aud Others which he had sent before him
as the heralls of his coming. lie left this CITY, ac'
cordiney on the 18th ult., and proceeded as far rs
Buffalo, New York, where he was arrested by fatal
disease at the hotel where hehad stopped, and was
thence by the advice of his physician, removed t" the
Hospital for the advantage OF more constant medical
attendance and moro nssiduous nursing. After brlei
and sharp Illness he died the 3oh ult, and his body
was burie, in the Cemetery Of the institution with all
proper repect. We understand, however, that it is
the intention of his relatives here, to have the body
brought home to this city, and inferred by the side
of the moullering relics of his mother, already br.
ricd here. We are gratifed to know that an oppor-
uity will thus be afforded to citizens 10 pay soe
suitable tribute to the memory of man whore talents
have done honor to our city and State.
The Wisconsin Patriot thus handsomely notices
some of the production, Of the gifted SulIy, which
adorn the rooms OF the Historical Society OF Wisron
sin:
The portrait of Marshall is by iar the best painting
in the rooms of the Historical Society. 1t presents
Sully in his best light bringing ont hs peculiar eS-
ceencies, which secn 10 us 10 be- Il quick perception
Of the peculiar mental characteristics Of the lndydu
al and the skilful transfer Of them To the CANVASS
much so that the portrait looks les- like painting
hun an individual In looking ut il you seem to catch
the ever varying play Of sentiment and pss-ion AMI
mating the features. The eye seam5 TO gleam and
sparkle-the lips seem w-aatned IN smiles or CON-
pressed with hate e2G duplclty.
This regularity is observable in all his portraits
painted from life. In that OF Black Hawk is the Get
tied melancholy and pensiveness of Sreat heart
bursting almost with its heavy sorrow-yet repress-
ed by tho natural dignity Of chieftain His history,
his greatness, his power, his defeat and captivity can
all be read in bis countenance. Suly's pencil tells
you tie history, and shows you the man.
in the Prophet, read his character, at glance,
low cunning, malice, deceit md every spark OF no.
bty degraded, and every thing devilish SLING its
place.
The portrait of Pocahontas, although reliable as
far as features concerned shows less Of charac
ter and ia less characteristic OF Suly than any OF the
others. There s etherality about it, that almost
uppresses one with the thought that the image s un.
real-a lghness and softness about it that is not Sui
IT, He needs something definite TO paint and cannot
paint Judging from the specimens before unless he
has something worthy Of bis peucil WeHre vel! aware