The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-12-15

.JACKSON'S VICTORY.
STUDY or LAMIE's BATTLE OF
NEW ORLEANS"
some Of Its Grave Historical Errors
Cotton ms n BarrIcade-The Amer
lean RedOHbfs. Etc.

Cotton ms BarrIcade Amer
lean Redoubts, Etc.
Some years ago there was on old German
N this city who was possessed with an eli
crossing ambition and fiery zeal to paint q
arge and accurate picture of the battle of
New Orleans. He devoted his whole life
time to the work, and yet he was not an ar
Mist either In fact by profession or even pre-
l(tension. His whole ambition was accuracy
/ and mechanical precision in the location nt
. the persons and objects embraced in his pic
torial scheme. There was no ordinary sign
or theatrical scene painter who did not excel
this queer old German in theatrical and prac-
teal knowledge of all the rules Of painting
and sketching
But not the most gifted and skilled artist
that ever handled brush or easel could posi-
bly, produce more vigorously exact picture
| than old Fishers large painting Of the battle
of New Orleans, which he was wont for a
quarter of a century to exhibit to every sue
Cessive State government with n view OF
inducing its purchase as O historical picture
. too valuable to be owned by private person.
It's price was Mt first fixed at $4,000, but with
every succeeding change Of the State govern
ment the ARTIST reduced his demand until
he got to such figure that finally some liberal
minded saloon-keeper stepped in and for an
amount as ridiculously inadequate as Mil
tons price for the Paradise Lost, became the
happy owner Of that precious product OF ge-
Mus and art For many years the painting
| has been reserved for the enjoyment and
. qualification of select body of connoisseurs,
and the public has been denied the patriotic
pleasure, SO largely shared by preceding
portions and elaborate fidelity of presenta-
tion Of the most interesting event in our
military history. Where now is Fishers
painting viii some enterprsing antigua
rian and disciple of Praxiteles furnish the in
formation by which this lost Floiad of art
may be reclaimed and again brought forth to
the delighted view and contemplation Of the
patriotic freguenters of our State House.
This query and reference were suggested to
us on our first view and study of the splendid
painting now on exhibition at tho State
House. a present from that generous bene-
factor and liberal patron Of the arts, the ven
cradle w. w. Corcoran of Washington City
1t Is the product of Frenchman, NJ. LAME
who has n great reputation as a painter of
battle scenes 1t Is said that the price OF this
picture was S20.0o0. or its artistic merits we
do not feel qualified to express an opinion
which would be entitled to much respect
Suffice 1t to give our impression that its exc
cution is In the highest style Of art, Tho
coloring, action, grouping and expression and
posing Of the actors, the vividness and spirit
of the tabeau. are equal to those of any battle
painting we have ever seen.
But Of historical verify. fidelity and vra-
semblance there is woful lack The old
Germans picture was not more conspicuous
for the entire absence Of respect for scenic
effect, and all the qualities of good painting
and the requirements Of art and TASTE than
Lames is for accuracy and fidelity to his
tory.
Surely the native artist must have glanced
very specifically over the incidents which
he seeks to describe He should have availed
himself Of the authentic printed narratives or
of some faithful reliable witness of the scene
he attempts to portray. Such information
would have protected him from the grave his
torical errors that are SO apparent through
out his picture. Prominent in these is the re-
production of the old cotton bale and sugar
hogshead story which has been exploded and
refuted almost from its first appearance or
the folly and danger of using such material
y IN the CONSTRUCTION Oh DAfapetS To resist
non balls, both the British and Americans had
sore experience in the action Of tho twenty
eighth OF December and the first Of January.
They proved not only unfit, but dangerous
material for such purpose, the cotton catch
ing fire and endangering the magazines, and
the sugar hogshead Offering no resistance 10
cannon balls.
The location of a redouht ON the left Of
Jacksons lines is also a palpahe error as the
only redoubt in the whole line was on his eX
treme right, and here 1t was that Jackson
and his staff stood during the action, and not,
as he is represented. on the left, confronting
the assault made by Briggs Brigade, which
Packenham led In their second and main at
tack The necessities of the artist required
sacrifice Of many Of the proprieties, such rs
the uniforming and Characterization of the
\ actors. and the meteorological aspects-the
1 hour OF the attack and the condition Of the
n atmosphere enveloped the scene in a cold mist
Which forbade the half-nude and exposed con-