Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1859-05-12
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kscEIibr:.sisla PcaIc.

TINS distinguished artist, who painted
"lhe Court Of Dcath' the son of Charles
| Wilson pcalc, was born in Bucks county.
PENNSYLVANIA, whittier his mother had fled
from Philadelphia at the approach of the
hostile British army, his father being then
with volunteer company (raiscd by his cX-
crtons, and Of which he was elected cap
tain with the army Of Washington.
Rembrandt commenced drawing at the
ago of eight, from book-drawing, between
school hours and SO great was his love Of
art, that lie i:jurcl his health by severe ap-
pIcation to study, ard laid the foundation Of
illness in altcr-lifc
In 1896 he commenced lis career as Il
portrait-painter in Charleston, $. G., and at
this time Washington gave him sitting for
"a portrait, and this, with the aid Of one
painted by his father, gave rise to the por-
trait which is beyond question the most ac-
curate likeness Of Washington ever executed.
1t was purchased by the Government for
two thousand dollars, and is now in the Sen
ate Chamber at Washington.
In 1901 Mr.. Pcalc left ChGrlce.cn and
went to England. While i'll London, he
published Il memoir on the Mammoth, which
| is honorably mentioned by Cuvicr IN 1907
Mr.. Pcalc visited Paris for the purpose OF
painting some of the distinguished men Of
that nation, and to feast on the treasures Ma
polcon had assembled in the gallery Of thc
Louvre. He painted a great number Of sa-
vans and military men, many Of which on
his return were placed in His fathers niuscum.
lie again srt up his easel in Philadelphia as
4 portrait painter, but found leisure to com
pose lis picture of the "Roman Daughter,
which is work of extraordinary merit
This was exhibited at the Pennsylvania A.
cadclny in 1872, and elected high Cnconi-
ums. 1t is now in the possession Of Mr.
Savage of Boston, and has frequently been
exhibited in the AthenHum Gallery Of paint
ings in that city.
The establishment of Museum and Gal
lcry Of Paintings, in the city of Baltimore
was now iavorite object with Mr.. rcalc
and be accomplished it, lie continued thcr,
nine years and besides painting many por-
traits, composed and executed in lar%e Tho
Ascent of Elijah" and other works of mag
nitudc. Finally he painted his Court Of
Death" This, having been exhibited in
many of the principal cities Of the United
States, has made the authors name familiar
and famous. Thenct profit of the first years
exhibition of the Court Of Death was
SS. $50. 1t was recommended from a large
number of the ulpts of New York, and the
Cooperation of the city went in body to sec
it.
In 1929 NJ. Pcalc visited France and It.
alv. and. on his return, published volume
on the latter country. In 1882 he made an
other visit to England, where he painted
many portraits. Mr.. Pcale was elected Pre-
sdent of the American Academy of Fine
Arts position which he filed with distinc-
tion and honor.
At an early are Mr. Pcalc was induced to
make experiments on gas-li9ht, and whcr he
was an inhabitant Of Baltimore, formed a
company for lighting the city with gas, which
was done in 1917. Baltimore owes to him
the honor of being the first Of our cities that
adopted this great improvement.
We could occupy columns in detail Of
the life and labors of Rembrandt Pcale but
we have said enough to indicate that he has
been one of the most laboriouS, cnterprsing
and gifted men OF his day lie is now eighty
one years of age; resides at Philadelphia
and paints portraits and other works, witt
as much skill and fidelity as in his younger
days. A few days since, Mr.. Joseph llarri-
son of Philadelphia gave him reception
dinner, at which many Of the distinguished
artists of New York, and other cities, gath.
cred to do min honor.
The Court of Death" is the largest pic
ture ever painted in the United States, coy
ering, as it does, three hundred and twelv,
square feet Of canvas, and containing twenty
three lifc-sizc figures. OF all the works O
lei nutlnr ia tbis which will iba III,