The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-28

1As Portraits OT WashiWgt0a.
R11BRANDf rnALns LE0TURB ON THE PosrRArS OF
wAsHN0ToN B1Fo1x THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
The venerable artist, Rembrandt Peale OF Philadelphia
delivered most interesting lecture on tho "Portrais OF
Washington" on Monday evening In the lecture room Of
the New York Historical Societys building Second
avenue TO large audience. Hon. Luther Bradsh intro
duced Mr. Peale by saying that the venerable gentleman
though now octogenaran, had yielded TO the socia
lions of his friends and consented TO repeat his lecture
the Portraits Of Washington" most fitting and appro
pirate subject the anniversary OF his birth day Mr.
Peae would also exhibit two portraits OF Washington not
heretofore presented TO the public.
The lecturer proceeded 70 say that under the fat
erpg auspices or the New York Rhetorical ,ocisty be
sented himself a. the historian OF the Portraits Of Wash
ngon Chaeaubriant had said that there was virtue IN
the looks OF great man. Henry Cay declared that he
with portrait Of Washington Cities may be founded
bearing the name of Washington columns may be erect
grateful people, there would nevertheless be something
wanting Had his features ordinary, and his
expression less the rising generation would
still wish TO know bis own peculiar look But when 1t is
known and recoected that his aspect noble his
conduct and that his coutenance corresponded with bis
character, is impossible to suppress patriotic and
natural desire TO behold impressive image OF that
countenance His portrait was taken Oy many
artists but there was one living who could speak
OF the original with more claims than himself
the attention not the adence Of the rising genera
ton Washington Is he remembered him WA siy feet
end one inch in height, weighed go pounds and had q
Hord complexion 0; the deepest blue aud hair brown
and flowing In his fathers portraits he was represented
with short neck sloping shoulders, Limbs strongly
moulded and somewhat corpulent. In all his sathers
portraits the eyes and toe small For his
no2s Of o.
his father who long familiar with every feAure aud
expression Of the great mans countenance pronounced
the best portrait OF him executed and ELECTED the
spontaneous applause of Waspgtons relatives aod most
intimate friends and after having been object 0. int
rest his painting in England, France and italy,
Senate OF the United States, for $1,000.
From his youngest days he had great veneraton f,r
the character OF Washington aud always took opporu
nifty review days TO him aud study his couu,enauce
The rs. portrait OF him painted by his father, Chas
Wilson Peae, at Mount vernon, IN August, l772 Wash
ington then III years age represented the
blue and red uniform CT colonel OF the Alexandra militia
The original Of this portrait belonged Mr. Gusts In 1T76
his father painted another portrait for JOAN Hancock In
little farmhouse IN New Jersey Washington sat To his
father for a miniature for Mrs. Washington. In this
little the artist sat the op.y chair. Will,
the ustrous sitter placed himself the side OF the bed
During the sitting Colonel vghman entered and handed
Washington despatch announcing the surrender OF Bur
goyne washington in the excitement. Of the moment
banded the open letter to the messenger and exclaimed
"BurgOyne taken His father executed, in all Ave
portraits Of Washington from l772 70 1895 Portraits
had also beer painted by Stuart TrunDu Pyne, pupil
of Sir Joshua Reynolds, and by the Swedish portrait
painter, westmuer. In 1875 Mr. Jefferson had q statue
Of Washington executed by Houdon, but except in profile
the likeness not coed This statue in Rich
mono and Cauovas in Raleigh, N. c. The lecturer also
referred q OF Washington ny Cerachi, and to
Browns statue in New York, ard Cravfords that day
being lnaugurated In Richmond For . long time his
fathers picture considered the only likeness o.
Washington He stood behind his fsias- he painted
II and watched every motion OF the seTs features In
1890 Washington sat 10 Savage for head to be Intro
In 1895 duplicate painted which is II the Ii
brary Of the New York Historical Society In the Trum
bull gallery at New Haven tine portrait OF Washing
tom good representation Of him as military hero 81
the battle of Princeton Pyne portrait was net good the
head being too small. wesimulier's picture was
painted in 1904, and is now in the possession Of
Charles A. Davis OF New York. In tue autumn OF 1895
Washington the lecturer About this txo also he
gave sitting Stuart, but his mouth distorted by
the appearance OF having his mouth u. OF the
OF rinsipg Washington gave the lecturer three ait
tngs OF three hours each At the lime his father sat
at side OF him making another likeness, his uncle
James at the other working miniature ivory, snt
his elder brother ct the same momea: engaged IL
sketchirg Washngtons profits. II this age he would
state that lace ruies e:t7e- .he shirt DO
SONS or their wrists, neither die they wear boards.
Though said that the bearded Romans bes. ths
beardess Greeks and the bearded Coins beat the beard
less Romans yet the fathers OF the American revolution
who were not bearded, conquered powerful enemy
either. With regard to Stus-ts second picture Il
not for the fault OF the dentist AID Elite too nush prom
hence in the eyes, better likeness co-id be desired
The last time he Washington IL the spriog OF
$780, and then his cheek gowet with the rlddy hue OF
health. With reference to his own portrait, Of which his
father 80 much approved the lecture resed opinions
OF Judges Marshall Peters Tghma, AID other intimate
friends Of Washington all o. whom commenced Il in The
highest terms az q perfect likeness He had painted
seventy fac smiles OF this picture In conclusion Mr.
Peae gave Jared Sparks description o. the person and
character Of Washington.
the venerable artist repeatedly app.auaed AS he
proceeded with his lecture he exhibited .ac smiles o. the
different portraits alluded TO, which formed small por
tion OF the interest attached 10 the DISCOURSE
Al the conclusion OF the lecture NJ Folsom ste mr
70 the Hague, proposed vote OF thanks % ~ Pesie
accompanied by request would repeat tue lecture
In the place on Wednesday (this) enng Judge
Edmonds seconded the melton, and l. -S carried With
applause.