The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-03-16

sRADrs PORTRAIT OF WASHINGTON IRVING.
we were favored yesterday with q view Of life size
portrait Of Washington Irving, at the age Of sixty x
cuteS oy Mr. Brady the photographer Of Broadway from
IN original agMreoype not known to have been In
stence until after his DEATH Tho history Of this picture
u an interesting one.
Every one knows the disls which the ilusrious sub
ject had to sit for his likeness Apart from the morbid
feeling which in his latter years give rise to It, he had
good grounds for the repugnancc that ne entertained to
such an ordeal None Of the portraits that had been ta
ken Of him in early middle Life had proved Sal sacory
All failed to convey the intellectual characteristics his
features, and even in physical outline they could not be
considered faithful After his deccasc the most poignant
regret was felt and expressed by his friends literary
men generally, that likeness existed Of him which
would preserve to them the remembrance Of face 20
loved and honored rumor after short tme was
Druised about that there was in tho possession OF
LADY at Baltimore . daguerreotype Of Mr..
Irving, which had been taken at an advanced
age Mr. Brady, alive to the importance OF adding his
nhtoFcal collection portrait valuable, Immediately
Get out for that city, and inquiry Of the person indi
oased found to hs disappointment that the report un
ioundei subsequently turned out that there was In
the possession Of connection Of the family small d.
gueeotyre, such had been described This likeness
had been sent 70 Europe where il had remained for
ne, and the fortunate posseaTor Of Il naturally did
feel DESTROYS that duplicate should f into the hands
Of others. After great deal Of difficulty Mr.. Brady
succeeded in obtaining permission 10 copy IT, It is well
for the family and for the admirers Of Mr. Irving that tho
task Of reproducing devolved upon such an artist All
that the most conscientious and the resources OF
skill acknowledged to be without rival in this particular
line could do to give effect 10 the new portrait was boz
slowed upon it, 1t first gradually enlarged until II
was brought to the imperial photograph size, and
then having succeeded in producing fac simio
OF the dagucrreotype, exact in every line
and shade was determined transfer the Photographic
outlines 10 canvass on life scale, and to finish in oils
Is this portrait that submitted to our inspection yes
terdsy and we certainly not prepared result
so surprising, from the imperfect materials which the
artist had to work upon Ia the first place the smaness
OF the original daguerreoype and In the next difficulty
Of reproducing the life tints from memory, led 70
Pect partial disappointment How great was oar as
constituent TO find that in every point Of resemblance
cutlne expression and colora fidelity to life had been
obtaneo could have been produced by dozen
siuipgs.
In Of the former portraits that have seen was
there trace Of the genial but quiet humor which beamed
forth In Irvipgs kindly and benevolent features No one
could tell from them that he writer whose comic
powers were Of the first order In Bradys portrait there
ID 10 be recognized the Knckerbockcr expression
playing from the Of the mouth and eyes, and
realizing all familiar souvenirs. So perfect, indeed
IS the resemblance that the members OF Mr.. Irvings
family and his most Intimate friends have been unable
suegest any alteration which might Improve it.
On the value Of this memorial Of one Of the greatest
and most gifted Of American writer's Is unnecessary to
dlae Literary people in sl parts OF the world will
joice that there has been prcferved of hm memento
which will convey thcn some idea OF the man as he
was IN bis latter years. or the aud Of the individual
skill which have achieved this unlocked for success
cannot speak in terms sufficiently grateful By hts efforts
TO rescue from oblivion the features OF Of her
cherished and valued Mr. Brady has added
to the rnpy obligations Of similar character which the
country owes him.