New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-06-02
Mr. r.. n. Carpentsr's Picture" The Emsnci-
patton Proclamation Before the Cabiner"-
Engraved by Bifehic. Published by DERBY
and Miller.

and Miller.
We have several times spoken flvoraby of Mr. +. Il.
Carpenters picture and glad to announce that Mr.
Richie has at last finished the engraving Oft on which
he has been so long employed Whatever may be the fate
of the original picture and il is credit TO the Govern
ment that il was not long ago, made National pos
session; it is no longer possible that the historical record
in which its great value colsss should be destroyed
hid in corner. Mr. Ritche's fi'tifl engraving will
make the picture visitor to every loyal household in tho
country visitor sadly welcome, in view both OF the man
whose noble it recalls and of the dark contrast it
suggests between the hopes Which his noblest act
awakened in the heats Of tie Americans and the
shameful way in which his successor "by tho
grace of assassination has dashed those hopes
II we have said that the chief value of sr Carpenters
picture is historical record, by wish 70
dsparage it, On the contrary, that is, TO thinking
Of it, greatest claims to respect That is Of all
sons the one chiefest why Americans who loved
Abraham Lincoln should buy this print Mr. Carpenter
in painting it, With all his ght TO make it true.
He may be said to have stryen for truth first and last
Many of our readers know that h. hd opportunities such
rs no other man he'd study Mr. Linco character aud
observe his peculs-ties Of maj and oppression. Mr.
Lincoln seems TO haze s1mitto hun TO the frankest
confidence, and to have been unisguised before him
as If he had been his brother. That Mr.. Carpenter
shrewd observer the notes which lie has from tine to
time published on his life at the Wlite House show
plainly enough, but he mado his observation
with dssultory purpose; uey were all to
enable him 70 make the picture he Has painting
an absolutely tire record of NJ. nco he
able. Now, in historical pictu e. th is tie hrst essen
tia Many subject about which 1t is Of importance that
the world should know neal posi- e just how 10
happened has been sacrificed BY the plnte being an up
holserer wind-bag, par sn, an enemy-s1ything but
an historian judging from evidence or poet, recording
his intuition. We might name a q American pictures
which might have I'd pern neat ylue, and come to DO
cherished by tie people, if they had teea painted with
sincerity aud love of truth equal TO their technical skill
and conventional knowledge. There was Posells Do
soto not that il concerned much, Dui sA II cannot
be- denied that il was OF national intesthOw wor Bile
it was as historical picture. How it beed history, not
BY what Il omitted TO say bat by what IL falsely asserted
And how low state Of eng In regard to what
is of real importance, if art BE- Of any import
aucc at all, dos it age in tho nation when We
can submit with patience to ha'i tbs traYestie on
history deliberately ard PEN We era cd on the backs
Of our National curenc,, lie ptu.e OF real sgnif-
cance and historical value lie tlis o. Mr.. Csrpentersis
allowed to 90 begging, anisltu oath eariss hands Or
take Leutzes darlington r ssn the Dcavac, or hia
Washington at Monmouth" 0r rsriey's Washington
Irving and his Friend'p III es that have been admired
ard praised and sid ior aye prices { We wrong in
asserting that the taste that enio ID 10, childish asts
that needs sharp sehoolngi that tho so-caed criticism
that lets them pass wthoutexposu adelict criticism,
and proved unworthy Of Confidence The men who
painted them had in view but to tickle IDLE ianeies,
to dlter and be ta,tered cal oro statement was
in their mind they worked MOI fo l,.asln, but to
finish job. The art they devoted to is no one whit
above the OF tho sgn-pa ltr the ne-panter;
nay it is respectable taese for il preten
tous.
As work OF art--a piece Of p-nhlg, Mr. Carpenters
picture was far from being masc.l' work. But Is wc
have said this a secondary consideration in this case.
What was essential was, that should have The facts
Thus Mr. Lincoln looked first Of a Then Seward, and
Chase and the Of the Cabne thus taoy looked and
stood or sat. And the 10 be painted too. We
wanted gew-gsws, noAcademy aun-chas, nor curtain
nor bust of Washington, pupety tables We wanted
none of this, and would put up with ne We wanted
the room in its simplicity, tho fGn as il stood As
soon paint these men N bare lgs and tgs aa palums,
with scrolls and sces after the high old Greenouh AID
Canoya fashion, treat the details be- Mr.. TN tngions
Theatre vein Mr. Carpenter struck ior the hcmcy ruth
and reached it, and the American people have gea their
verdict ard will not retract il.