Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-04-17
MARSHALL'S ENGRAVING
OF
STuARTIS WASHINGTON.

STUART'S WASHINGTON.
nHRRE Is M single portrait In this country about
which such Interest clusters Gilbert s,uart's orig
ua head vi Washington in the possession q the Bos
ton Atheqpum It painted in 1896 toward the close
pt the sulJd is eventu life, AMI was ever regarded by
the great artist himself with sort Of supersiiOus
erencs. No money nor friendship could tempt him to
part with 1t he would keep IT, he often said a. long
he lived, ana leave 1t, with lis ndant (Martha Wash
engtun legacy to his family aud this he did He de-
cArsd after many attempts that he could not copy II
snd he dared 10 touch his pencil even this
hulshed bac ground and drapery Hence 1t remains TO
his dny In pcssiy tile condition as when last on The
asel ia presence OF the august original What stuart
confessed himself unable to do painter Hince has
oeetet in accomplishing. SO iew pltsaOle anu 50 many
Mfeichd copies of this picture have been made that It's
reproduction In e0iufs may we'll be despatiod OF
It has been, however, tho highest ambition Of the emf
nsn engyers In our country to produce this picture In
llue Durand and Andrews nave thus engraved L. aud
Nh considerable success but Of size too small to be
lrlmed with effect multitude of other artists have
furnished prints m9stly poor affairs Ia stppe mezzo-
tut, part line and mixed styles
What has long been needed pure line engraving,
ln the highest style of art and Of large size hut who
could execute such wortl The difficulties of engraving
head in iie increase In fearful iate the sae is
atged In this caee too the drapery must BIZ supplied
from other picture by stuart, by Invention, and
10 made 10 harmouze with the head. by common con-
seat among engraVefs, thBfe was but man In the
country aud lie but weuyhv years OF aRe) capable of
executing The work When his large head Of feniniore
Cooper was published il was the exclamation VI every
artist "Here is the man to engrave atunrts Washing
tom But the coming man had long beiora this, COM
on tn make that work tho chefd@hUrc OF his maturer
life Two years ago he came to this city and eade appli
cation Tor the picture that he might ensrve It.
Every facility was granted him, aud he has at length
finished the plate The result is more than success iii
il trumph-and an honor 10 American art The nams
of William Marshall viii hereafter stand with William
sharp Jacob HoubTaken, Robert strange Francis BAro-
oEzA, ami james Heath, the masters OF p~rtraitute i
line ongrsvngi and MarshalPa Washington "a titls al
ready reSered in history and lterature Will rank as
masterpiece Durani, Cheney, and School, our leading
engrage pronounce the head the largest and hest ever
executed In this country and without rival in modern
engraving Edward EYerett tays ut is truly superb
work Nothing could no finer It places Mr. Marshall at
once By the side Of the great masters Of his art As
fithiul copy u the original 1t Ii perfeet the textures
the expression and the tone reprodueed and Mr. D.
preserved Mr. Sparks, the hographer Of Wash
ngton, writes lit ~ very exact representative OF the
original Mr.. f. D. c. barley the designer says it Is
tins best head engraved in lire yet produced In this coun
try as well ms the finest copy Of Stuart,s portrait"
No look at the proof ON exhibition, without
for as a home companion
No Impressions but proofs will be taken from the plate
testimonials.
EDWARD EyERETPs OPINION.
MI Everett has addressed tho following letter to Messrs
Tirknor Fields;-
the stat of my health would permit the magnificent
craving of stuarts head of Washington. II Is truly
superb work Nothing could be liner whether respects
the eelity and spirit with which 1t preserves all the
characteristic OF the matchesH original the per
eeton OF thu mechanical execution II places Mr. Mar
shall at by the side OF the great Masters Of his Art
g Its publication at this moment is we'll calculated to
turn the thoughts Of all true patriots inw'rf tha peerless
resolution to exert themselves to the utmost to
destruction his great lie workthe Union aud Com
Very respectfully yours
EDWARD EvRRRrrH
JARED SPARKS OPINION.
Mr. Sparks thus gives his opinion Of the merits of this
The head II Washington, engraved by Mr. Marshall
from the celebrated painting by Stuart In the Bosen
Alhsneum appears TO me a remarkable specimen of the
TT a a