Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-05-27

THE FINE ARTS - PORTRAIT PAINTING
Perhaps no city in the Union, population con-
sidered, Is famous for its patronage Of the
Fine Arts, and its encouragement Of Artists
as our own "City OF Rocks" Such is the re-
suit OF a refined civilization. The art OF paint
ing was co-eval with civilization, and was sue
cessfully practioed by the Greeks and Romans.
Obscured by several subsequent centuries, the
art revived again in the fifteenth century,
where it produced the Roman, Venetian,
Tuscan, German, Elem ish, French, Spanish,
and finally the English School. At later pc
riod, of course, American genius arose to dis
pute the laurels for fame and Immortality, as
il did 10 all other branches Of the Fine Arts
and exact sciences. 0fthe American painters,
Benjamin West, Washington Allston, John
Trumbull, Gilbert Stewart Henry Inmsn,
Thos. Cole, John Barnard, Rembrandt Peale,
occur to our minds at this moment, although
our country can BOAST of as many more who
have rendered themselves more or less noted
by their talents.
A painter must combine natural skill with a
practised eye and ready hand his expression
must be proper TO the subject and the charao-
ter represented; be must observe the proper
light and shade, and pay special regard to his
colors, TO the end that the drawing shall be
just, with nothing out Of place or ill-propor-
toned. The several parts must be so connect
ed aud contrasted 80 as TO make the whole
grateful to the eye, as good piece Of music is
10 the ear. These, aud very many other things,
are requisite TO make an Artist; and when we
remember how many have made the attempt
at portrait painting alone, and failed TO accom-
plish any thing worthy Of record or preserva,
ton, it is apparent that when a man does pass
through the Fiery ordeal" he should at least
be allowed all the credit which he will likely
receive in any community.
Thus much we thought it proper to say in
order 10 introduce the name Of Il new and, il
we mistake not, rising star in the art Of
painting. We do go the more readily for the
reason that ~e know a majority Of our read.
ers can appreciate real talent 10 this depart
ment Of the fine arts, aud TO hs works we re-
fer them. The gentleman 10 whom We allude
is Mr.. REUBEN 7. A. Macy, Keniuokian by
birth aud new resident Of this vicinity. Al
Though comparatively a young man, he has
been an ardent worker at the easel lie has
Just completed portrait Of our friend Anson
Nelson, Esq, who is a relative Of biz, and
which can be seen at FreemAn's on College
street. We do not ray the painting is perfee
or faultless, but We do cay IL denotes genius
and talent 10 the artist, aud proves iha, with
practice, Mr.. Macy will attain an snviable no.
toristy. Il Is bat due 10 Ar. NJ. TO remark
that 10 Nelson's portrait, the painter had 90
sitting from his subject, bot painted from
photograph by Dodge & Wendsro,h.
We can say this much without the least DIS.
pArageiuent TO our Coopers, Durys Dodges,
and Others, who have already acquired wide
and euvisbls reputation, and carved q niche
in The temple OF lame.
We are Informed that Mr.. Macy Is now en-
gagged on an elaborate piece embracing agronps
Of children. We can hardly do better tlan
70 conclude with saying, in the Language Of
the celebrated Washington Alislon, Deliver
US from kicking down even The weakest step
Of an early ladder"