New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-06-13
THE FINE ARTS.
Mr.. Lsutze's Portrait OF PrcsidCut Lin
coin.

We take q good deal of comfort in the reAec-
ton that the counterfeit presentment OF good and
wise a man as Abraham Lincoln is not to be at
the mercy OF any one or any half dozen OF our
professed portrait painters. That blunt truth teller.
the Sun has recorded his face and figure so often and
80 well that the mans bodily presence is placed for.
ever beyond the chances Of fatal Misrepresentation.
No such misfortune can befal the next generation
befel tho iastto have its greatest pass away and
leave behind him portrait that satisfy those who
believe that heroic character must make itself felt in
he face I'VE have portrait of Washington which
gives Us The man. We have symbolic head. sym.
boc face well enough representing perhaps the myth
zeal parsonage whom We revere az Washington, but,
biography Of him, portrait Of bm--we have neither.
So it shall not be with Abraham Lincoln. His figure
We know his face We know his attitude his manners.
And while We have looked forward with anxiety
to the first portrait of him that should profess
body these facts and claim 10 10 the type which
other portraits must be modelled, have felt confident
that so long every house in the land has al least
photograph Of the good President it viii he impossible
for any utterly inadequate portrait. by whomsoeycr
painted 10 be accepted by tire whole people.
When We said, q few daysago. that Mr.. Leuze could
not paint human face, did not think ho would in.
speedily he has this portrait of Dir. Lincoln
which the New-York Club il 90 unfortunate NJ to pos
sess and which the public may see at Goupils Gallery
Our only consolation is that il is owned by private
association. and is not to he put here the people
see it,
Mr.. Hiekss portrait ofthe late President which claims
to be the first that taken. is responsible for
know not how much of the deep and wide.s spread i'm
~ ~ ;rou la,
which prevailed for season II frightened ns at the
time il painted with lis propLesy Of fatal pOssib
ties later in the light vha, had ill learned
Of Mr.. Lincoln. We could afford TO smile at it. How
ever. its badness merely negative. The trouble
was simply. that there was nothing in it. Mr. Hicks
could not what in his tohc luxurious sitter.
He wiser than Of the Of ". indeed
Why should be have been But Mr.. Leutzes failure il
positive Iie not only iails to whs, there in The
man tina. great and good. but lie sees much which
is neither great good. that not in him at ALL II
is bad enough and reveals incapacty enough, that
painter should undertake 10 mako for society OF
wealthy gentlemen a costly portrait OF man, tie most
remarkable perhaps OF bis century, AMI leave out every
trait Of face figure and action by which the qualities
that Dsde hin eminent might have been discovered
this i. indeed a fragrant sin OF omission. But Nr.
Leu &c NhN coA4HHt. VIII dns I'ehh w
He must make Mr. Lincoln scn;fnentalist spooney.
graceful siding orator OF the willowy sorl whose
irOck coat iabcSng sef gown luiior IN the breeze
and whose limbs sway under hin ne poses himself IN
a studied altitude that would have made Everett en-
vioas The feeble night hand Is raised IN al unncaE-
ing gesture uamcaning that TIE very shadow dcci
not know which finger it belongs f. and lies down IN
confusion In the palm TIL something can b. de-
cided Tie face IA Of tie climax OF the failure 20
show us the man. II is adorned with d weak shipper,
and apart from Is want Of earacsiEess aua sTcnrih
VERY unsatisfactory portrait IL il litile moro Asn
caricaur. NJ the President aud Is calculated 20 make
a most unf4yoTnble iapIe sion upon those who never
the
When tho subject OF tho picture itself Is - i.sas
rousy handled II il perhaps unnecessary 10 iron'" The
reader with al examination OF the accessori's Bal
how ear IL haso failed 70 strike those who must have
seen tie picture in Progress that the discrepancy Ia
size between the figure O. Nh Lincoln and those % toe
persons who are listening 70 lm l. Iuch hat ctl crlc
n giant Of the hugcst proportions or they arc pgmcs
Of tie smallest more discroditibc bgrier than this
we never ohroncled II really oush: no; % b. allowed
70 stand II IL no, leie paint cut the cnilie beck
gfoanl and Iut 'he figures and tie building b.. ofta
proper size. Iftis brush that takes ont tlae huad
also by accident. reIno,e the principal hgufs aH
would have a clean canvass On which he m.-. H.
ANYTHING but Abb ahsm Lincoln