The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-02-03
"Peale's Court of Death"

This beautiful Painting by Rembrandt Peale,
which has been exhibited, at various times, in
the principal cities of the United States has
been purchased for $4,000, by G. @. Cotton.
DR., Cotton has now in process of execution an
engraving, which is intended to presenta com
plete colered fac sin,ile of the painting.
The Court of Death is sublime work of art
which has won the admiration Of all who have
seen it. The study of it leaves an impression
respecting the uncertainty of life, the evils Of
war, the temptations to incompetence, and SEN
sual indulgence and the triumphs Of Christian
faith over the terrors of death, which time can
not oblterate. Although the subject is Death
there is nothing repulsiye in the picture. 1t
covers 80 square feet of canvas, and contains
% figures, of the size of life. The following is
brief description of the painting: This is an
Atlegorical Picture, presenting great moral
truths by pictorial personifcations The idea Of
the painting was first suggested to,the artist by
reading the Poem of Bishop Portevs ON Death
-"D Deep in murky caves recess,
Laved by Obivion's lste~s stream, and fenced
By shelving rocks, and ntermingled horrors
Ofyew and cypress shade, from all obtruson.
Of busy noon-tide beam, the Monarch sits
In unsubstantal majesty
In the centre of the composition, shadowy in
outline, stern and inaexible majestic with. pow
err, is seated the Monarch DEATH His hand
raised, Indicative of command, while his agents
around unconscious of his presence)are exc
cutting his mandates, Sable drapery envelopes
his form gloom gathers about his countenance
shrouding his designs in mystery. His foot
rests upon the body of youth struck down in
the prime of life and health an evidence Of his
universal power over the race. The feet and
head of the corps hang over an island rock,
and touch the dark waters of Obllrion, which
flow below, indicating the mystery which sur
rounds the origin and end of life.
The figures or groups on either side of Death
show the influence Of our passion and our pleas
ures in working out his designs. On the right,
a Warrior, with drawn sword, agitated by ambi-
ton and revenge, personates the Spirit of War.
The blood drops from his sword-his Victina has
| FALLEN DelOW anu DGlllHu. OHutL Ills iCct uC
tramples the helpless Wldow and Orphan.
Attending War is Fury, Confagration,
bearing two flaming torches, carrying desolation
and destruction in her train. Behind War, two
figures represent Famine and Pestllence. Fam
inc, with haggard face and emaciated form, the
hands cluthed upon the breast; and Pestience,
with anxiety and dread in the countenance, COW
ering her mouth, and closing her nostrils to shut
out the infections atmosphere. This group OF
seven figures personates the leading character
istics of War, as one ofthe great agents ofDeath.
On the left of Death is female, offairy beau
ty, bewitched in form, the emblem OF every
GRACE. her countenance wreathed with seductive
smiles, who personates Pleasure. Her Vase,
which contains the intoxicating draught, rests
upon the shroud of Death, and from her urn,
directly beyond a slight cloud OF incense rises
TO obscure the face of Death from her votaries.
A youth by theside Of Pleasure has partaken OF
the Intoxicating cup His form is relaxed, his
countenance indicating partial intoxieation, an
empty glass in his hand over his head. Behind
this youth is Remorse, bowling his head in shame
lupon his hands, while thick shades of evil crowd
upon his soul. Below, and to the left, is DeIir-
ium Tfemens, fallen upon the ground, and in
agony, grasping the back of his head. Above
this is Suicide, drawing the dagger from his
\ heart. f8
] In the back ground, to the left, is a group of
figures, representing some Of the yarions diseases
resulting from the indulgence in sinful sensual