The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-10-17
From the Philadelphia Press, Oct. 5
THE DEATH OF REMBRANDT PEALE

Although Rembrandt Peale was not a
all noted as politician yet, by his bril-
liantly successful portrait Of Washington
and the intense interest he displayed in al
that pertained to the great Father Of hi
Country, he has secured to himself wha
will. probably prove immortal fame. Sin
gularly enough. he was born on one of the
birthdays Of Washington. the 22d of Feb
uary. 1873. and he relates that when be
was schoolboy, he was impeled from this
childish motive to seek every possible op.
portunity Of seeing the great man who was
then so universally honored in Philadelphia.
He was signally fortunate. too, in obtain.
ing opportunities to crafty this youthful
prediction. for his father, Charles Wilson
Peale. the founder of the Philadelphia Mu-
scum, was distinguished artist, ard pain.
ted a portrait of Washington in17S6.-
Rembrandt. being lad eight years Of age,
stationed himself behind bis fathers chair,
and eagerly watched the illustrous subject
during the sittings. Afterwards he was
frequently the bearer of messages from his
father, and met Washington every Sunday
as he went to church. In September,
l175, when Mr.. Peale, although then but
nineteen years OF age, had acquired consid
cradle proficiency as an artist, his darling
object Of ambition was gratitied by obtain
ing three sittings, Of three hours each, from
the man he had so long idolized, and of this
picture he executed ten copies. In 1886,
or thirty-6ve years afterwards, he says
The image Of Washington once more
rose to engross his mind" All the por-
traits. busts, medalions. and prints he cod
fine he collected together, and against the
earnest remonstrances Of his vile and bis
father. be became thoroughly absorbed in
an attempt to execute a portrait OF superb
or excellence. His arduous efforts were
crowned with complete success. His faith
er one day entered his studio, and, clap
ping him Oh the shoulder exclaimed, You
have it now this is, indeed, Washington y
Its fidelity was cheerfuily endorsed by
number Of the distinguished friends of
Washington who We're then living, inclu.
ding Chef Justice Marshall, Judges WASH
ington, Tilgbam, and Peters. and Bishop
White. After being exhibited in Europe
at various places, including the Royal Acad.
emy at FlOrance. it was purchased by a
special committee Of the United States Sen.
ate for two thousand dollars.
Another celebrated painting Of the de.
ceased was his Court Of death He has
given an interesting description of the ori-
gin Of this picture. 1t was suggested by
Bishop Porteus' poem On Death, and his
account Of it concludes with sentence par
ticularly impressive and appriate in view
Of his own recent departure for the spirit
world. MIR. Peale says: p" The philosophic
Christian must agree with the picture that
death has no terror IN the eyes Of riytu-
ons old age. and Of Innocence. taith and
hope"
MIR. Peale, until recent period, enjoyed
excellent health, and. during the last year.
executed for Joseph Harrison, Jr., of this
city, the portrait Of bis venerable brother.
artist, James Sully, which was recently on
exhibition at the Academy of Fine Arts. in
this city.
He possessed highly cultivated literary
tastes. and in 1889 published a small vol
ume called the Portfolio of an Artist"
which contains several well.written poems
from his pen.
His lecture on the portraits of Washing
ton, delivered in this and other cities du.
ring last winter, attracted large and ap-
preciative audiences
He was twice married, and leaves a wild
Ow and numerous descendants
On Tuesday evening last he showed
some SYMPTOMS Of indisposition, but it was
only on Wednesday nigh: that he was con-
sidered dangerously i'll. and at about half
past six o'clock yesterday morning he died.
His disease was dropsy Of the heart.