The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-05-05
Powell's Great Painting.

The following. in relation to Powell's
great painting Of "Perry's Victory on Lake
Erie." was furnished 10 In the last letter Of
our Columbus correspondent. but has. until
now. been excluded BY press Of other
matter ED DEN
In the year 1857, the General Assembly
Of Ohio passed . resolution ordering the
Commissioners of the State House TO con-
tract with W. H. Powell for the painting Of
. picture for the rotunds, the subject OF
which was to be "Perrys Victory on Lake
Erie" IL was to be IL by Is feet, and to
be On elaborate aud lifelike representation
Of said victory, TO be furnished within fve
years, and TO cost not exceeding five thou
sand dollars. The contract was made at
rs 600. Some four weeks siDce, Mr.. Pow.
ell came to Columbus with the picture, and,
in duo course of time, put il up in the 70.
tunds, it's original place Of destination. He
then presented to the Legislature memo
rial, asking increased compensation, setting
forth, among other thirgs. that he had
changed the design; after spending sixteen
months on the original, bad abandoned 1t
40 unsuitable for the subject, and adopted
the one now set forth in the said picture.
thereby losing one year and three month";
time ; and that the painting actually cost
him @l s 600. These facts we're endorsed
by Chief.Justice Chase. Post Master Goner.
al Dennison, Senators Wade and Sherman.
and Representatives Schenck and Coz, and
they cay; Tho painting referred to We
have seen, and concur in the universal cpin.
ion of ito excellence. We hope the wishes
Of the artist may be gra,ified, as he has pre-
sented them in bis paper" The Senate
passed bill which provided that Mr.. Pow
ell be paid the $4,000. The bill came
down to this House, aud. after being 90
amended % to read $4,000. was pot ON
on Its passage, aud lost by some six votes.
The next day the vote was re condidered;
and again the bill was put on its passage,
the ayes and nsYs called, and. on count,
found 10 be three short Of the requisite
number to pass the bill whereupon . call
Of tho House WAS ordered, and, after a
search Of On hour, the Sergeant.as.Arms
succeeded in bringing in members enough
to pass the bill The Senate agroed 70 the
amendment. thus making is law.
The picture represents Commodore
Perry at the moment when he left his own
disabled ship-the Lawrence-to take
command Of the Niagara, which vessel
bad escaped unharmed. A boat is repre-.
seIted just leaving the Lawrence. Ia
this boat are Commodore Perry and bis
young brother. who, aged twelve. was q
"middy" 10 the Commodore's ship; q
coxswain. who is steering, Eve sailors are
bending to their oars, and one man push
ing of mass Of spars sails and cordage
floating at the stern Of the vessel they
have Just departed from. The figure oil
the Commodore is the prominent objec. 10
the painting. Standing erect and bare.
headed. he 10 pointing to the Niagara,
seen at distance, with other American
vessels. In his eye 10 an expression o.
energy and courage. no frowniug. no de-
6ance. His young brother is beseechine
him TO be seated. They are under fire
and the boy fears the safety OF bis broth
or. The eoxswain, steering the boat
points also to . seat. They fear tha
their officer 10 too much exposed. Th'
men are pulling at their oars. all but I
negro. whose oar has been carried away
by shot. He shrinks, with terror de
picted in bis countenance. Two Of th'
men are wounded. One is deathly pale
the blood lrickles down upon his Slew
from cash in the head still he is pulli nl
his oar. 1t is said by judges that il
composing the group in this boat, th'
artist has achieved masterpiece OF draw
ing. The coloriDg is admirable. Th'
water is SO naturally painted one almos
expects TO sec the boat toss and piicl
with the waves.