New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-01-16
ClRPENTER'S "LLNCOLN.7

10 as Ed4or Of The " J. Tribun>
SIR: The TRIBUNE of Dec 2S contained a critical
notice of Dir. Carpenters portrait of Abraham Lin
coin rs engraved by IIapin, and just published. 1t
not my purpose at this time to controvert the opn-
ion therein expressed rs TO the merits of the work in
question. In justice, however to both the painter
and engraver will you allow me- as the publisher of
this portrait TO lay before your readers part Of two
letters recently received by Mr.. Carpenter from the
man Of all others best qualified to judge discrimi-
natingly portrait of the late Prcsdent-the Hon.
VIM H. IIerndon of Springfield, Illinois, for more
than twenty years AIr. IincOn's aw-partner
will add that the second letter was not written for
publication but as many persons are atthis time in
terestod in knowing what is the best portrait of the
amented President, and a spontaneous tribute
from man as remarkable in many respects as Mr..
Lincoln himself 10 the value and fidelity of Mr.. Car
penters work feel justified in assuming the respon-
sibility of making it public. Very respectfully etc,
a. j. JOHNSON
No ll3 Fulton st., Neg York, JAN II, 1861
srRMGnELD. Ill, Dec; Is. 1866.
per express yesterday morning. your admirable ana ex
unrolcd the portrait SIr LINCOLN flashed ON me as never
from picture. AS porIat-a hkeness-it IS LINGoLN'
1t looks me, aud Is better portrait and like
ncsa than Marshalls IL to me 10 be a superior
work Of art VIII write you more fully soon. Now
let me give you n thousand thanks. Your friend,
Ip,ll Ill y,
T. Il. CARPEYri-5iy Dear sir: Your portrait-steel
engraving by uapinhas been carefully studied for sew
eral days and after such critical examination am ena
bed to say 1t Is tho very best likeness seen here OF MT
Lincoln; is exc 10 naturehat is, Il is less ldeahzed
likeness Nanrc-Mr Lincon~seems to have been stud
led and copied truthfuly. almost regiousy So Having
few words about 1t \ work Of art. Creation is the
lac Of the mnd Art consists Ia the eXecutionHsay OF an
idea with truthful formsurder rigid scientific rules
Tested by these things your work Is work OF very hgh
art and in my Judgment it is the very finest work OF Its
kind which America has produced TINS generation.
In the other portraits OF Mr. Lincoln much labor has
been spent the backgrounds and surroundings Yours
centated all your You distinctly hold in fine di-
yersy the various parts organs features nioods iee
ngs and their play. Everything seems TO be III proper
ton AS likeness OF Mr. lincoln, none OF the engrayngs
You have caught Mr. Lincoln not so much in retecton
as In deiermdton-the act OF wllng-I should say Leu
The ctre Is evidently with his mind keeny looking all
tho broad Union ana through eaoh seetoR, anu Do 70
public circlng closer and closer around Richmond the
freedmen fun joy, bearing arms In defense OF the un
ION and s presentations sees oceans OF blood ana noun
tans freely spent In the sacred cause OF Right
sees the Union about to triumph, and democratic hs
tutions victorious and rememberng ms 0ath reSlseret
In heaven" he says: "By the help OF God shall save
this Union perpetuate Democratic institutions ana Keep
sacred that oath registered in heaven" Determination
the act Of GHg Is the idea woven IA the picture Ash
further evidence of this Judgment look at those con
pressed lps-I have often Ia nature-ln Lincoln
You have snatohed the sadness OF Mr. Inconi you
have gathered up his cares and placed Them on your M
henrt. through firstSympathy; and seo0nd-oNe OF e
man and painted them, and flashed them INTO tho ed
craving from thence You have gwen MI Lincoln siua
Kindness and thoughfuness, with his haturhh W"fva
dgnity-dcmocratic dignity 10 seems To me that tno
active love OF Mr. Lincoln lights up oil. pays over a
Won have eau Qht and held that soul In divine nanlieh
tions and embodied these thoughts-refec % M
soul II IA not that ri the same instant OF us ,h
firmly fixed for the ndmins and loving SsSs % .s io "
turc world but 10 Is in your lortrsi. yvo actiye
md cntmr'd sylnpathy aud love for Mr. Lincoln VINO
gave you the original sittings 10" nay
Let me ment your success anS oo
"a thS pn.onean world, win appreciate and purchasA
your work fouiS '''y' ~ -''-'NO''