New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-07-16
PowELL,s HISTORICAL PICTURE.
rn,ni Ba,,le Of Lake Eric.

Hnvni Battle Of Lake Eric.
Mr.. Powell has completed, after several years
labor. hs painting OF Pouys NayG Victory on Lake
Eric. executed in accordance with commission re-
ceiyed RON the State Of Ohio Tho size Of the picture
feet b. twelve. The special point taken
for dcnention when Perry has just entered the ooit
after The tremendous slaughter aboard bis SHIP tne
LGrenes and Is proceeding to the Niagara. hafa NILE
distant The boat and its contents the main things
the rcst Is distant and scccssnry saving small prolec
ton Of the Laurence ust enough to Indicate the exist
Of tie vessel ard account for the attitude OF the
hero. The boot ia supposed 10 be some twenty feet In
length, tho bow being thrown In perspective. 1t con-
tains nine fgnfrs lifsz in the extreme front Perry
ia supposed To he addressing parting word 10 some
one dmrlied, not SEEM aboard the Laurence. He Is
Il nding in the boat and pointing with shehthed
hanger to the Na9araj as much as to say he would
reach her, ond then all would DO we'll His brother.
"a boy Is represented as Lurriedly catch
ing hold Of his arm 10 remind him OF
lis peril and the necessity Of lessening 1t by taking
seat as shot has struck near the boat. Capt Perry
WIS then last % years Of age. and was remarkable
for the beauty and manness If his countenaucc and Tor
his noble physical proportions. II would have been
pity 10 spoil tue looking hero 'oy
poytraylng him In reduced slSe or In SIT
ting posture; and Mr. Powell has wisely taken him
at lrst c-sze and In excited enthusiastic temper
but with nothing mel,jramaic or famboyant in ex'
preston. Row hot the atmosphere and bow thick
the dangers may be judged from the fact that when
Perry left tho Laurence out OF l0 officers aud sailors
WHO constituted ia foce In going into action. there
were only IT, hmsclf igcluded. not disabled Perry Is
represented II course 10 the costume OF the day blue
dress.coat tst Citing trousers. and boots WON out
sidea disngrS dress There is but one portrait Of him
extani ard this has been faithfully followed sposslble
Next In prominence Of iiFurc. after tho coHmsnder
come, The coyswain. sturdy tag ripe pge hrm phy'i
ognomy and iron muscles who is pointing with BIS IN
occupied band 20 II indicating his opinions too
Of the Increased peril Of Lis chief ia remaining mo-
meut oi ger standing ihnn IS nccessnrr On the other
side OF the boat is sailor wifi his bend bound up aud
bleeding who Is pushing or with on oar the boat from
some doatng spars and canvns TIE other persons on
the boat az sNwart sailor, engaged IN rowing one OF
thorn "a conti sbnnd," however hes raised his hand
from the oar as she'll sikes elise by him. In the dis
ance II seen the iHdpeadfnoe IN full length aud nmd
wreotbs Of smoke rtons are visible OF the Ds'roH
Qaeen C1ayiotte Lody Prsrosi, eto.
Whist is remarkable in tins cpiturc Is the absence Of
an aititudinizug or mock herosm Of q school which
once prevailed and Is now defunct emorg reputable
4
onch tnrs who had their work to do; ard did il, with
out furry the thoke. Of the fight Oh the Las'r-ree
they row AZ cooy as If they simply under orders 10
60 from one vessel to the other and had lime or DIS
play or fuse In regard the technical precision Of Tie
artist. naval men who have seen The picture. agree
that no has amply studied, aud has his nautical
account made out correctly Things are
IN their proper places IN word even To wind i'm
pelled.fags and clouds. NJ. PowelIS study OF the
sioT vii! BE- found very accurate; the hrm muscles
the veatlos beaten aud Onled faces. arms ard hands
not oriiirg jacks love Of tattooing. Wc are made
- lecl chat such ,nen ougbt VIM nj the worst.
would fight TO tie last. an these thirrs would be
nldCqn te 20 coupele Tia picture. -four boat dad no'
.wm. Hut it does. Tie painting Of The water leaves
r, .hinc to BE- desired lhe handful of braves s Ger
tsinly nfoai. md ae feel TINT tie IT sOrk vii
sury bring them s!dc Tie vessel TO which TIC
commander Is pointing
Historical painting requires such immense studieS-
not simply the landscape the ship the house, animated
nature but the human face divine Ia pronounced tx.
pr, sson ond tue human figure In ell Its varieties that
hut few essay It, rscryng themselves for less arduons
works. The nature Of art il. however. 50 generous,
that the landscape and st life afford delight honor
and profit to those who excel in these departments
HE portraiture Of man In action. of human incident
uad especially history portrayed ON the canvas
and welcome accordingly work npor which
80 much labor has been successfully bestowed
in homage Of noble chapter in naiionsl annals
Especially ii this time. when such drufss are made on
the h,rosm Of our youis will this record Of naval
battle fought tfiumphsntly against tho nation which
claimed to rule the wayes and with tcnacit! uno' ,
qaalel hitherto In naval Lisiory-not even excepting
ire Revolutionary victory Of Paul Jonesbe priz for
it, practical efficacy. And as the fate OF the AlabaaG
rcminds u.s. in the language Of our Secretary Of the
Navy Of tie iriumphs Of orr inan. paw. those who
sec Ibis cue my toke comfort that IN naval proves
their country he's not Ia the leas, III generated.
I, may lie presumed that Mr. Powell VIII soon show
hs work o. TIE pubc here. and 70. forget the fashion
able Newport where Perry born and where bis !
rel itires reside II IL about time Rhode lslard should
possess adequate artistic mcmento of her naval
hero. Ono already has marble statue Of him at Ccye
| nd but wc do not remember 10 have any such
Inemeu to on old Newport the Clifs. Properly
such work as this picture should belong 10 the little
state oi his hhlh Newport vas drenGflly poor once.
hut I. now r!ch oaolgh shonlier TIC orrc cost Of
similar picture.
COMMERCIAL ETHcS.- Tie lecture by Mr.
l. e. Fo.p1 NJ the International lonygutioa 81 zen.