New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-10-21
THE FINE ARTS.
,r. Huntingdon. " Republican Covr,.y

washretor." on which Ac ha, been occulied. at l..
tcrylit during tic laa. ror years Tie work yes
commissioned by Mr.. A. r. Richie. and is 20 be en-
crayei by him 10 line. and pah,ls b. Mr.. I'M. >oitz
An The persons concerned ia this business speculation
may BE- s-'ey congratulated. The peenniary tueoes'
q tho aGir already ecered whea the subject bel
been chosen. aad Mr.. Huntington selected to paint ~
uor have We any doubt that those who ordered tie pic
sure meant Whatever good fortune tue WORK might
meet WITH should be wei deserved; the President was
chose, 81. te man best able 10 treat tic subject mas
tc.y. and Nr Richie would do his best 10 interpret
tru., be~,eq sim ana tie public. And, doubt the
emile o. foiune on these honest efforts will be, 20 al
parties concerned. cheering and sufficient reward
wc1o not think Of any act for picture, outside
Of lsu1.c care which would be likely 70 interest III
native Americans as this which Nj. Huntington las
chosen Even the title j. happy fCr popularity.
and sao15sh it seems, and is, VIII attract large
numbers whose democratic sense ,ickled by the least
suggc ton OF anything lie arstocre;ic paseanry
nectcd with our Government. FOR there can be no
Of doubt that, there Is 4 large aud growing
class especially in ouf great cities who dissatisfied
with the bare planuess OF oar Government and would
gladly see ito deeds invested with romp ond cir
csmstance would like 10 have them more splendidly
lodged aud gayer clothed; nay, would be better
pleased wsth the name Of King than President; and
dream OF a day when they o. their children shall b.
members Of noble and privileged class. To such peo-
pic the notion that once in the good old days there
vass Court even although it Only o Republican
one gives Greary sort Of comfort II they cannot hope
e. see royalty royal forms. established N their
day ana IL they cam OF look forward with the eye Of
faith ana see the fllGmert Of their dreams in the dis
tsnt nsturc if The line OF plebian Presidents is to
stretch 10 the crack Il doom, and murdered railspIt
tc9s are TO DC forever succeeded by boorish teor at
least they turn their backs these gnoble days
and recall times when il WIS otherwise; times when
Chie.Justccs wore red gowns, and Presidents were
dressed in black velvet suits. with swords ord pow
dercd- bai- and never smiled. nor made Jokes. nor
shook common peoples hands and when their wives
received the cream OF the cream Of tie Lud-stand
ingqneen shion on dais, ana looking with royal ind
ference on oD the wealth and intellect and beauty that
crowded ,lo.r stately halls.
II s 10 meet a sentiment Ike this and please such
people that Tie I;epubcan Court has been painted
snd the treatment oftlc subject shows plainly enough
Chat tie sentiment is known to exist and that The
srtst Is Of DO higher mind than willingly TO psndeT TO
e. To MS end, women are made everywhere promi-
nent because their peicoas picturesque and their
costumes County; and in the grouping of the figures
wish to fater certain wealthy families of our own
neighbollool is dissucealy evident Their ancestors
are Put mo the foremost places and persons who were
really Of tie greatest Importance in the history Of The
coultsy nj the tme shoyed quite Of sight No one
will complain Of the prominence given 10 Alexander
Hamilton; but John Adams deserved at least equal
place agi must smile to see Thomas Jetiers put
among The Dobodies in the background. Nothiag how
ever re whole picture shows such ludicroUs want
Oi lust Judgment as tho WY in which Fisher Aues is
treated. His name is found IN the Key but for
long tine. the searchcr At last perseverance,
Il rewarded by discovering the famous orator standing
with bis back turned toward us, and his nose faened
against picture which lie is supposed TO be studying
Nobody marks him; he is mere supernumeraIy; the
wonder Is, why he was thought necessary be painted
at all
The picture. as composition, divides itself into
shree principal groups The scene" is imaginary
srawng.room in Philadelphia. and the "time" is
during Washington's second term. The room is
crowded with figures there being sixty four whose
names arc gwen while another room, opening by
wide archway from that in which Mrs. Washington
stands appears 10 have many people in 1t as it can
hold. The walls are hung with pictures; portraits OF
George Ill % and his Queen % are on either sidc the
srchway. and behind Mis-. Washington, dimly seeD is
Charles l. Let us have a Court, while We ale sboat
IT, Court with least the portraits of real kings
on tie walls, 10 encourage our modest efforts at
Imitation"
The group at the left of the picture has for its center
She meant to- be imposing figure Of Mrs. Washington
lady hon 10 effort of the Imagination make look
like queen However. what his imagination could
DO for this stout, elderly. unpretending woman.
who confined herself quietly to her house keeping duties
and made not the sliehteS; ripple the surface of
society by any accomplishment beauty, charm Of
.nanners skill in conversation; who a good
mother 10 her children and good wife to Washington
and deported herself modesy and simply all
sions what could be done 10 make her play impos-
ing part, Mr.. Huntington has DONE She stands upon
dais raised one step from the Aoor-eredG, Fifth.
avenue in au attitude of much could be
expected under circumstances OF such embarrassing
novelty, and with absence Of all expression in her
countenence which to indicate desire on her
part for equal absence Of body To all appearance It
would not make the slightest difference 10 any living
soul in the room if she should accomplish that absence
OF body. OF the whole assembly not one person is
speaking 10 her or locking at her or doing anything
VITA reference TO her. ~ the end OF the vista how
ever between the group at the right aud that which
foims the confer Of the picture. General Washington
delivering his Farewell Address to an imaginary andi.
snce IS standing with Miss Harriet Chew on bis arm
She cluging TO bin, apparently delighted with the
soqucucc OF his oTatoryi If not that then perhaps
the theory is tiat he is about TO introduce
Ter 90 Ms. Washington, and she naturally fears
70 draw too near TO much majesty II We
accept this explanation OF Miss Chews eyi.
dent emotion. then there is a. least, one
q no VII OF In