Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-04-30
THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
BY RITCHIE & DUNNAvANT.
FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 1883.
REMBRANDT PEALE.

| FRIDAY, APRIL 80, mos.
REMBRANDT PEALE.
Although verging on the period Of middle age
with all its sobered thoughts and SOLDERING realities
and although We happen to live at an epoch ~her
thoughts, like men, are moulded according to fashion
aud cramped Into commonplace refnement-stiIl We
must plead guilty before the polite world to
shade of fanciful belief in the existence Of
that fountain of perpetual youth, about which
heathen poets have concocted such string
of poetic fables. We have found, indeed nc
trace of this wonder in the vicinity of all
editors hard.bottomsd chair and would not be able
to designate its whereabouts. But we have more
than once had the good fortune to meet with old men
whose minds and spirts,I hearts and empers were as
elastic and as vivid-and whose attachments and
sympathies; for the higher and more innocent
pleasures Of life were warmly cherished
and as openly avowed, as when the same
capacities and emotions are sometimes found
among boys who have not yet turned cox.
combs, and girls who have not yet been converted
into bellies. So there must be fountain of youth,
somewhere, though few there be that find it,
Wherever it lie, we are disposed to believe that it
devote their lives to the aspirations of art apart from
its mere uttarian departments. Seldom, indeed, is
it found by the poets. Like most of their brethren
Of the pen this sort of artists are apt to be venomous
at times. They will occasionally entertain scrimo.
nous feelings and display them in attempts to write
each other down-a species Of conflict which wears
away youth and temper faster than does the strife Of
commerce or Of politics, and much faster than hard
and honest fighting of II less ETHEREAL description
And your professed musician generally grows old and
testy-why, We are not musician enough to discover.
1t seems to be reserved for the painter and sculptor to
luxurate in world of peaceful harmones, where
they nd no utrudng discords to disturb the current
of life blessed with all the delights oil ambition,
without its more biting soicitudss, triumph without
attendant regrets and growing appreciation Of the
beautiful constantly offering new fruits Of enjoyment
which never pail the taste nor coy the Appetite
These artists enjoy that poetry of life which professed
poets imperlectly describe
We have Just been driven into this stran of lucu.
bration, by the visit of al artist who has passed
his eghtieth year, who has been entertaining us with
short lesson on the wisdom and experience of art,
impaired with the eager zest OF great master too
intent on the importance of the theme TO appreciate
the unvorthiness Of bs listener We must be per-
mt,ed to indulge asttered but, we trust, an inno
cent vanity by informing the public, without fur.
Their oircumlocution. that our editorial sanctum wa5
Yesterday honored by the visit OF no less person
age than the venerable Rembrandt Pesle, the great
artist whose pencil has portrayed the faces of tn
great men of country for more than two genera
tons, the companion Of Trumbu and of Allston,
the ootemporary of Washington, the only painter
now living who has been honored with sitting from
the hest and greatest patriot OF the world.
Mr.. Peale's visit to Richmond lie the pilgrimage OF
true artist. For the first time, he comes to pay no
mage to tbs genius of houdon and the last effort OF
Crawford He brings to Virginia pilgrims offering
worthy Of the shrine. He comes to present to our
old Commonwealth his portrait of Chief Justice
Marshall. He Is now ripe iu years, and wishes to
place this cherished production of his labor and ge
MUS where il will be beet appreciated and most care
fully preserved when he shall himself no longer be
able to care for it's preservation.
We are gratihed to inform our readers that Mr..
Peale intends delivering lecture on "Washington
and his Portraits" TO be illustrated by series of
paintings, within few days. This rare treat is no.
velty in the line of public ecturing, which will be
keeny relished by our lovers OF art and which can
not fail to interest even the unnated Mr. Pesle ia
master of subject and has already made the theme
esply interesting to crowded audiences in other ci.
ties These lectures constitute labor of love. The
venerable artist has passed long lifetime among the
great works of genius. When a boy, then almost the
only art student of his country, he placed his easel
in the renowned galleries Of Europe. Thirty years
afterwards, he was seated before the Madonna di
Segeiola of Rspheal, impartiug the finishing touch
to another canvass pronounced by the chief of Euro
pean oonnosseurs to contain the beat copy ever
made from the original masterpiece But among the
wonders of classic art, he has found no memory to
which his declining years can look back with such per
feet enthusiasm to the calm, lion like face, the
ineaments of which his own pencil has depicted from
life, and which he has since studied in the handiwork
of every artist who was fortunate enough to secure
the same high privilege.
MIR. Peale is himself study worthy ct a brush as
favored as his own he ia perfect picture Of healthy
old age His complexion is clear and forid, his form
ereot bis hand atesdy and his eye almost a. clear
ss when they first traced the outlines of p'L re-
He s still so active as to be almost unconscious of an
octogenaran burden, and what is most desirable for
a lecturer, bis voice ia still strong and musical