, 1877-12-16
EASEL AND STUDIO.
The Washburne Collection of
Portraits Of Distinguished
States men.
Emperor William, Bismarck, Theirs,
Lord Lyons, Franklin, and
Others.
The Dayid Neal Exhibition Of Heads at
O'Bricn's Gallery.

To the Editor Of The Ttribtine
CHICAGO, Dec. 15.-Thc awakened interest in
art matters, Of late so evident and paipablc, in
the cultivated circles Of the city, is SO welcome
md encouraging that 1t deserves to be supported
and stimulated by all appropriate means, "ln
season and iii possible) out OF season." The
new city has been far behind the times, Indeed,
it has not attained the prominence OF the old
city in these matters,-the wealthy people Of
taste bcin. apparently unable to forget the
wholesale destruction Of paintings by the
great fire OF 1871. The pictures OF great merit
that have been secured since that calamity that
will forever be called terrible, are all In private
dwellings; and Of this no just complaint can be
made. A public gallery or attractive sales
rooms {while the former is beginning to be
talked about) we may not expect to have for
some time to come. These we had before 1S7l
The President Of the Historical Society, few
nights ago, in welcoming select audience to
the Socicty's temporary quarters, spoke with
touching rcgretfulness Of the splendid pictures
that used to adorn the old walls. Alarm and
necessity supplemented the efforts Of the fire
in stripping the city OF its paintings. Hundreds,
that would bc priced in any art-narket in the
world were scnt away and sold: The
last year or two have brought n change.
The revival OF art has been
stow but tAe1e has ueen .;s te,;s ~ oo ,"n,
cares ior art mas pu1 " nuG, ~ at'u 'uon
examples Of the best art of the period, and rep
rcscutiug every school III the Christian world.
The recent accession OF art-treasures, Which
Is the OCCASION " l1lt1 aIei ,'.,t 10 ~ - ~;
spects the most valaoie sa4, +ras+w VIII
country Ihs p1one - adyu5 rh.5 ,n"s:} pv} ~ ~ -
aware OIL their cta1aet:f. Ing, to'est ~ -: -
number Of portraits OF the IL: ereatest men ,, IN
Europe, painted from enG e. ny H. III I1'"H5 Wesi5
llaElier, ana presented ~ I'lc tion. =. -: :" ISL
burne as tokens ol esteem anu EEas.uue a.;bo toaa
well as can' WILL enoea'o' ~ oesei' 'oo '"eo'
portraits. ,x,
THE EMPEROR william; y :,,r.u
First in rank, if not in interest IS the Emperor
William, OF Germany. ~ Inc artist, Du4o",
know nothing, except that ne IS Tue court
painter. lie can Afford 10 oe juuseu ~ IN, aMe
present work. 1t is thrcc-4uarter iength
fgurc,-of course, stanu:ng-and thc attltaue
is most commanding. The German people, by
their industry anu lr1galltF, tnesr bravery ana
devotion, have made the Empire rich. and great,
and powerful, and are, III TACT ing reai areseGss
Of all his glory. These is no indication TO DC
seen in the representation OF thls picture tnat
he has outgrown his early imbibed principles Of
kingship appointed by heaven. AS ne stanas
here, tall, compact, with head llSn III ar. Ills
front face to you, It Is easy 70 aonl' tnat nS r.
ruler by divine right. The a1tlsts draw
ing, aud skillful rounding OUT OF the
form, shows you the man hlnl-
self. He is tine type OF tue ocst oi MS f;ice.
Pure German blood IS the oldest b1ood IN
Europe; and no wonder that me erandcss
Among no other people is the family likeness
so accurately preserred-lt is the same III one
place as in another, in this century as III the
last. The simple and severe tao!ts ol lne nao1i.
arcns OF Germany: arc lcaa ol III efeIs ~ sehool
primer. These habits have told powerfully: os
example, upon the Gernan people. 1ne'T
physical Development Is now what 1t was during
the two hundred years that GermanS struSglea
against Rome. lhey arc no" Known, as tne5
were tb when 'stoTy 9scaar poMcru cnt and
brave. Tic old Emperor he is ~ years
past) is said nut to look 70 oe
over GO; in this picture he docs not look even
SO old, and yet Mr. ashpuruc, Who 1ateiy spent
week intimately Win MN, sa'S IL ~ 4 pit.e.s
likeness. He LOOKS as II tue heaviest laocf
might DC pastlme to MN; Onc "oulu 1lot ue
surprised to learn that he believes as sloutls Ia
the traditions ot tue eeFflan nercuies ~ IA Luz
deeds history records oil us own ancestors.
The accessories arc in perfect kceplns VIII TUG
august central 1ig1lsc. 4 mysterious acptn o1
background is calculated TO excite cuf1osltss
almost apprehension, while it bafcs inspection.
At the entrance OIL passa9e-"si}, ieaut'S ~
NO end OF lofty galleries. lans grca1 iolos VI
deep crimson, drawn aslae just sui,!ei@nI ~
have allowed the Emperor to pass 10 where
he stands. beside marble column'
which matches himself in simple dignity
The flooring is OF marbic. Inc oniy nsoSaole
thing to bc seen is chair ot state. IL Is OF Sfsat
richness, mounted with golucn eagles. bui
thrown into deep shAde; tue seat, hall-SoFGIca
with robe Of fur, is extended towards the En-
pcror, who, by his action, makes one uncettalh
whether he will walk abroad ur stay az hone.
Tne light comes through wlnuow on thc En-