Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1863-04-29
gu Sorts of 6OuA gtlping.
A Grand Painting by an American Artist.

A Grand Painting by an American Artist.
The Legislature of the State of Ohio, wish
ing to ornament the rotunda of the new Stat
Capitol at Columbus, ordered from Mr.. W. H
Powell a large painting, the subject of whicl
was to be Perry's Victory on Lake Erie.
The battle gained by Commodore Perry wa
fought within the waters of Ohio, and tina
State benefited beyond all others from its re
suits. It was deemed a fitting tribute to the
memory Of the gallant Perry that some com,
memoration Of his great achievement should
exist in the Capitol of the State which he
saved from the ravages of the enemy.
The artist entrusted with this mission, has
chosen to represent Commodore Perry at the
moment when he left his own crippled and
disabled ship-the Lawrence-to take COM
mand of the Niagara, which vessel had escaped
unharmeL Upon a large canvass, sixteen by
twelve feet, is represented a boat Just leaving
Lawrence. In this boat are Commodore Perry
and his young brother Alexander, who, aged
twelve, was a MILDLY in the Commodore'sship;
coxswain who is steering five sailors bend
ing to their oars, and one man who is push
ing off a mass of spars sails and c0rdage float
ing entangled at the stern of the vessel they
are Just departing from.
The figure Of Commodore Perry, is, of
course, the prominent object in the painting
Standing erect and bareheaded, he is point
ing to the Niagara, seen at a distance, with
with other American vessels, most effectively
and naturally grouped. The Commodore's
handsome face is lighted up with just such a
look as bold, determined man would wear
in such a moment. There is no lrowning, no
defiance. beaming from his clear honest eye,
but hearty expression. suggestive of energy
and courage The features are handsome, the
chestnut hair curled by the breeze around the
broad open brow, the ensemble representing
most attractive man. Clinging to the Com
modore, his young brother, the child Alexau-
der, is beseeching him to be seated They are
under fire and the boy fears for the safety OF
the Commodore. The coxswain, steering the
boat points also to a seat. Like the~child. he
fears that his officer is too much exposed
The men are steadily pulling tlleir oars, all
save a negro, who shrinkS with terror depict
ed in his couutenance. A shot has carried
away his oar. The artist has succeeded ad- /
rnirably in depicting the sailors. One, large,
aorid, gray haired man, is gazing at his officer !
with look expressive Of admiriug confidence,
which exactly chimes with tie feelings YOU
experience in looking at the Commodore
Two of the men are wounded. One is death
y pale; the blood trickles down upon his
sleeve from cash in the head but he is
steadily pulling his oar.
1t is but Justice to the artist to say that in
the group in the boat he has
ieieved a masterpiece of drawing, free from
Ill faint OF exaggeration, ilelike to a degree,
md, from its very simplicity, intensely dra-
natic.
The coloring IS admirable. The water is so
naturally painted one almost expects to see
he boat toss and pitch with the waves
Mr.. Powell has been extremely carefnl in.
his painting to conform to all those details the
bservance Of which betray the true artist.
IS regards the likeness Of the Commodore he
as consulted survivors of that memorable ma
al combat-persons who were with Perry. I
Dr. Parsons and Captain Champlain, eye wit '
esses Of the event and companions Of the c
commodore, pronounce the resemblance to
i'm perfect. Mrs. Francis Vinton, daught- L
r of the Commodore, visited this painting,
nd was deeply affected by its resemblance t.
, the hero. 81
There is a sentiment in the composition Of Il
lie picture which is truly affecting. The fact c.
the child MILDLY, beseeching his brother to II
: seated, is touching in ite earnestness and
eauty. Placed in that boat-and it is his tt
rical thathe did accompany the Commodore \
the fair child, by contrast with those bronz- Z
|, bearded men, attracts the eye like lone in
,wer growing upon a rugged rock. We Z
I'VE not space to enter into the many details NJ
e should wish to point out in this admirable
inting. We can but add that, familiar with
.e works of the most celebrated European y
fists, we deem Mr.. Powell's painting wor- tn
y of rank with the best Of them. The ar de
t may well feel proud of his production,
d the country proud Of the artist. ne
W