National Republican., 1873-01-11
Powrll's Monster Danb.

VHAln. III lne NnlchHo IrlDune.l
The painting In itself Ia not unworthy its pur-
pose and place II Ii 40 large as to show a boat II
crew OF men, life-siZe, In the foreground and
the huils OF several vessels near at hand, high
and full. II also shows considerable Of the ac-
tlOn Of the main combat between the neets, and
some floating rigging and people. The COMPOSE
tOn ls scant, as II the artist did not want to do
brush-strOke more work than would satisfy the
bond; but this yep negligence gives an open
ness To the Watef-yleW, Keeps the eye intent on
the central episode, and the stOTy,Of the battle
Is not confused with details.
The study is Pery's abandonment Of one
nagship for another, after the first had become
unInanaReahle. lie IA seen standing in a row.
boat pulled by half a dozen men, some Of whom
are wounded; the boat itself IL Eplintered, and
all are working under a certain apprehension
not to say panic, except the commodore, who Il
braced up TO the verge OF the dramatic, As II he
also felt the situation, hut was the actor of IT,
His helmsman IL dlscOnceTted, but everybody,
sailOr-lashiOn, Obeys orders Automaticaliy and
with mlnutla which gives some reality 10 the
subject ior Instance, one wounded fellow Is
pushing his oar against some sail and spar with
sallOrly sensibilty, and all the men In the boat
are looking various ways, as men are apt to do In
close action, where the bursting OF shells aud
various movements attract each man according
TO his position. Nevertheless, they all appear 10
be seeing through their ears, which IL right
enough, for sailor rows with his hands and
ears, aud Is entitled to his eyes. The bOatsWaln
IN this picture appears to be protesting a IL lie
hit with Perry, which Ia not unnecessarily famII-
lar IN the close shayes Of life. Perry himself,
Nlih bht uil MS hnthtntu CutlAHR, lN
pointing toward the vessel he wishes to board
AMI resisting the impUTtunlties OF u lad who h
afraid, under the circumstances.
The criticism on this picture will probably turn
upon the drawing; upon the specific gravity OF
the boat to carry its crew; upon the rel We
statures ot the persons; and possibly upon the
eTncallty OF the idea and the characters involved
As to color, the time IL vet premature for making
Judgment upon that. ! hold that, for national
pictures, an excellent proper treatment IL better
than any deeper attempt which will please the
few aud miss the public sense. A public order
ike thls should not be used by any artist to ex-
pertinent for doubtful individualism or class
Oplnlonatedness; As, for example, no man receiy-
ing public order, the intent OF which is under
stood 10 he the national pleasure and aspiration
would have any right to use the late pre- Raphael
lite treatment, and, In order to be precisely con.
scentious, make nlne-tenths Of all the visitors AT
the Capitol grin and hOOt
Considered with respect to Its use and end,
and also to Us depletion Of the main reasms OF
this battle, Mr.. POwell's new picture Ia q Rreat
Improvement upon his he Soto.
said TO the librarian Of Congress:
"Whom have we capable Of doing any better
with figures on so great an area?"
"What Is the Use, he replied, "of nllinR such
areas before there Il national art? This CaDItOi
Is not meant To be Ornanented throughout In a
single century