, 1873-05-23
THE MEMORIAL PICTURE,

At the time OF the groat con0agration which
consumed this city, there was cry for MD to all
quarters Of the world. Contributions poured in
80 abundantly TINT tho authoritios soon an
nounced that they needed no moro money On
Feceiying this Intelligence, tho proprietor, staff
and artists of the London Graphic who had
raised a large sum for the Chicago
Relief Fund. decided, aB pecuniary aid
Faa no longer needed, to present
Eheir offering in the shape Of amemorial picture,
Alegoricnlly representative at once Of the Great
Fire, and the great charity which it called forth
on both sides Of the Atlantic. Tho execution of
The deBi gn was entrusted to hIr. Armitago, r. A.,
and tho picture, which ia now complete, will Boon
be formally presented to tho city.
Yesterday Mayor Meaill received package,
which was accompanied by tho following letter
MY Dear Sir: Tho presentation picture to tic City
ct Chicago ia now completed, mud On view in London
hope TINT 1t will bo admired by your oitizens. Thoy
bay you must not look gift horse In the mouth.
Whether that tho Or uo you w po. ro
coye i IN the sae kindly spirit that It Is sent. Wo
sa be gad t. & hear from you as to tue best modo of
FMS improved tho frat idea very inuch as You vii
different persons to exhibit the picture in New York
and other cties but have refused all such invita-
aot wish It 70 30 made public until In yoat 1hu hands H.
athen once n your possession, 1t Will DO tor you to
s' esssnt or rot y0q think
ssn4 YOU pAeograph Of it shortly a1n, my dear
ELY, yours truthfully, WILLIAM L. THOMAS,
Manager Of tho Graphite.
Thepackage contained photograph Of a crayon
copy of tho picture, which, though perhaps lit
sle faulty III tho drawing Of tho rocun,bent figure
e. chicago, giyos an excellent idea Of tle boau
following notices from two London paporg
sYhich We reprint, both aB giving an idoa Of the
design, and as valuable opinions AZ to tue value
Of tho painting msthstically considered:
From the TIMES, May 8, 1879
LII. Armitago's really monumental work of tho wear
Is TO he seen at 48 PalhnI, III tho prcat pctrrn IL
.eet ny sfee1 pantea by commission from tho au
9erers " the fire Of Chicago, and about to be hung in
tho Public Hull Of the renovated city. This is au e1-
application and no member Of our Academy is mora
as;euto grappo With such work than Mr. Armltagew
'nslnroche from among hs pupils 10 work under his M
direction On h!s great wall picture OF Tho mighty mas
7srs Of all tmo In tho uomicyclo Of Tho Ecola dcs
;, =. tIon. The Morning post, Anrtl 20, 1878.
Il IL anster At M Of Tug Gy Of Chicago
khe benayo1ouco Of the civilized world was resondei
f. With s1ch prompudo and generosity that within
announced that they needed moro money. tho rs
Huiremens Of tho sufferers having been fully supplied
ZealouB promoters OF relief
0ad beenf the gentlemen connected, whether ~ pro.
pr1etors or a. literary and artiso contributors with
our picturesque contemporary TIC Graphtc who ind
memorial picture allcgorieuy REPRESENTATIVE ' At
n e o s iay S ya
anG out Of the design wAs entrusted to Mr.. Aritage
H. A., who has produced a work Of eminent merit,
combning grace and originality Of conception with
aruhu1ness and brllliancy Of execution Ihe conro-
son is simple but effective. On the right Of tlle
r{P1 III ri1
sddying clouds Of smoke the left s Pine forest
backed with mountains rugged mud nassve-a
En- fa'e1Rs sser py ssss w.s q IL o s o Of
ground ,is . group Ct three allogorical fenao
Figures, nanked q! ot!e sio by te American eagle,
khan III Trafalgar Squire. Tho stricken city IL SYM
69lzed by tue partially nude form of beautiful grl
:%An!eroa. % Over tho sufferer. endorly ntanclltng
hrowa garland Of oak leasos. Tbs aEaro of
ius9ouss IN og ho S 'rspi 10 o soft IL, and
lovey in expression aud magnificent in driving. Ihs
nbjoetipn that thu stature ia aboyo ordinary height
of human stature does not necessarily apply to alle-
Rorica! personaRes. artnt skill Ia shown In .he ar
Nm5s III thin and graceful fols Huggeaa ito ox
must bs confessed, Is woman OF Tho strong.1nnied
type who, though sho wrcasleH her good-iiaturely
enough around tho shoulder Of her Britannia |
s!ste looss !, as H. thonsh so meant to have
No1naniy III character IL britannia, nike rc in beauy
aud oouignity bt tho stadow upon sle upper part of
the face Wauta decacy. 1t 1s dGso aud 10 SHARPLY cut
~ 10 ook 1css Ike shadow than yu It would also
have been III improvement to this painting TO hayo
and varied the colors III tia picture, which is u
fga alze. measuring IL {1at hY y tue toAo " sxcGed.