New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-03-17
WASHINGTON At PRINCETON.

The incident which Leutze has chosen for this pic
ture we learn from the sheet of etterpress scattered
about the exhibition room, a" was chiefly selected 10
illustrate one of less known but well authenticated
characteristics Of Washington-hs impetuosiiy ana
energetic expression of feeling under certain cifcum'
stances" This incident is the skrmsh at Pnce on,
when an engagement took place between detachment
under Gen. Mercer and portion Of the British ar ny,
in which the Americans retreated. Washington, how
ever coming up with the main body, charged upon the
enemy rushing forward mpetucusly TO rally the mill
tia battery placed by the British was taken, and
their rooss fed precpitately. So great it is said was
bis exualion at this success that he eaped the fence
gave the view baoo, as if in fox chase, and cried
out: Gentlemen, the day 10 oursW This is the mo
meut chosen BY the artist
Mr. Leutze's talents as a historical painter who has
the good sense TO choose his subjects from American
history do not need commendaon. He has estabisheda
reputation and this last picture will undoubtedly add to
it, 1t has all the brancy ofcolor for which he isnoted
and that picturesqueness of management which s so
striking in all that he does. Many Of the minor details
Of the picture in perfect harmony with the time and
the occasion which it is meant bring before the spec
tator Tuning from the central figure upon which the
eye FIST rests, one is attracted to details which are
necessarily subordinate, but should be always har-
monious, and here are peculiarly SO; to the boy
clasping a cannon with arm, over which his
hie-blood is oozing as he sinks with the
fantness of death; the fallen officer his
sword dyed with the blood which flows fromthe breast
of the dead British gunner by his side the wounded
hunter sunk upon the snow, his deerskin Logging red
from wound in his ankle, which has rendered him
helpless the fight going on everywhere the cruel ex-
4
element of tie bsttle ed the cool courage and de-
te1mr alton of individual men; the steady advance of
the American troops, and the hasty fight of the dis
comfored enemy and, over all, the smoke gradually
disappearing, and the bright, warm sunshine OF a
Winters morning breaking as ttill and as beautiful
over such if the face of nature had never
been dsfgured by the passions and the violence OF
men. Mr.. Leutze, presume, has painted no picture
which will be go popular as this.
Thus much in is praise-prase honest AMI conscien-
tious. There is another criticism, looking at from
another standpoint, which ought not to be omitted,
though we might hesitate were Mr.. Leutze younger
artist That the Washington of history is perfectly
ideal character is suppose now generally admitted
by all sensible people, who very well knew that the
real life and character of the is utterly misappre
hended and minepresented. Anything whether pic
tire, or poem or story ii otherwise passable would
be heartily welcome that should really and truly rep
resent him in bis mpetuosity and energetic express
" sion of feeling. We can hardly say that we hoped
to zee this in Mr.. Leutze's picture, but we should,
nevertheless, have been very glad to have found H.
We do not. On the contrary, we find the same in-
possible Washington II the Washington OF whom, IL
we told the truth, we should all confess we are
heartily tired - that we have been accustomed
to hear of in It'll " July and other orauons'
and even 10 read Of in twelve-volume eAur'
pated and emasculated editions Of correspondence
and biography lie is represented by Mr. Leu'~e a.
sunrise after being all night horseback, IN peroo'
toilet. fni,hed OF with AN elegant blue military eosA'
turned up with crimson--ss preposterous u garment
for horseback at any time, DC de'S'a
and which we do not believe Washington ever
wore when there was the slightest chance OF
hard ride or hard fighting before him. The horse he
be.trider-we are happy to cay correcy-i' in per-
feetIy ftesh condition, admirably groomed, not hair
turned Thoroughly and dainty caparisoned sanding on
his bndlspr, in finely studied circus attitude whilehs
master akpg of his chapeau and wavngit with nim-
liable grace addresses, with bland and benignant
counepance worthy Of the most festive of oec AN
audience quite away from the battle field, with ths
feeble pIstrde Ger tlemsn, the dsy ]. ours Then,