The New York herald., 1879-12-14
LITER
A New Life Of a Famous
American Painter.
ANECDOTE AND BIOGRAPHY
Gilbert Stuart as Artist, Musician
and "Good Fellow"


more interesting book than ''The Life and Works Of
Gilbert Stuart" which Charles Scribners' Sons will
issue in an octave volume during the week. The
author of this work is Mr.. George c. Mason. OF New
port. r. t. gentleman whose facilities for writing
life of Americas frst famous portrait painter were
peculiar Miss Jane Stuart the daughter Of the
painter. we are informed aided Mr.. Mason
In his work by supplying him with numer-
anecdotes of her father and reading the
proof sheets with great care We understand
that she has not approved OF the slight
biographies of her father which have previously
appeared and gives to the present volume her cordial
Endorsement in fact it was written at her request
II was Miss Stuart's intention to have written the
volume herself and che had published three papers
on the subject Ia Scy7bners Monthly. but finding the
work too laborious for one whose time. by the ma
ture Of her profession, was 80 greatly occupied she
turned her material to MIR. Mason. who has ac-
compished his task with fidelity and given most
satisfactory biography OF Gilbert Stuart. the artist
and the good fellow.
Ten OF the illustrations of this volume were made
from negatives taken direct from Stuarts paintings
some of them never having been copied before. and
reproduced by the photogravure process Of Goupil
Co.. of Paris. The portrait Of Stuart on the title
was engraved on wood by T. Cole from the miniature
by Miss Goodridge, which Miss Stuart pronounces
the best likeness OF her father extant MIR. Cole has
been most successful with his engraving. and we
cannot recall any finer specimen Of this master en-
graver's work. A list Of 6OO Of Stuart's paintings
with notes. is given in this volume.
THE ARTISTS BIRTH.
At the head OF Petaquamscott Pond. in Narragan-
sett county, in the little State of Rhode Island.
stands ganbrel-roofed. low-portalled. odfashoned
house. by the side of tiny stream, and there. on
the Sd OF December 1885, Gilbert Stuart the famous
Ann trait aintar boru Sfu
the father came TO this country from Scotland ut
the age Of eighteen. and meeting q friend here
who about to embark in the lucrative bust
ness Of snuff grinding. he joined him and made
, comfortable living by furnishing solace to
the colonial nose. Having established himself in
business Stuart looked around for wife and found
onsin Elizabeth Anthony. attractive and well
connected young woman. whose beauty has been re-
ferfed to by Sabine in his "Loyalists" When their
son Gilbert born Mrs. Stuart fell heir to small
fortune and they removed to Newport. then. now.
one OF the most attractive towns in America After
his mother had taught him oil she knew young Gill
bert became the pupil Of the Rev. George Bssit.
assistant minister OF Trinity Church. Newport and
principal Of the parochial school, While
yet child Stuart showed fondness
for drawing. It was hard work for him to study.
but he could curb his inclination for mischief for
the moment; was willing to give up portion OF his
time to his books for he the need Of It; but his
fondness for drawing he could not suppress nor
did he attempt it. He had little opportunity in
Newport to crafty his tastes but that little he made
good use OF. At last he obtained colors, palette.
And-when he could find them-siters. The earliest
product OF his pencil 10 far is known Is picture
owned by Mr.. Thomas Il. Hunter. of Newport.
II. l.. couple of Spanish dogs.
In ITO Cosmo Alexander, an artist Of no mean
talents. came to Newport and Stuart at once became
his.pupil. Alexander took stuart to Scotland with
him. but after they reached Edinburgh he died.
In his last moments lie commended Stuart to the
Of his friend. Sir George Chambers. but Sir George
died also. leaving the young American friendless in
q strange country. Before Sir George died he found
opening for Stuart in the University Of Glasgow
where he was studying diligently to make good the
defects in his education but lacking the necessary
means for his support he could not long remain
there. With his brush ho could earn enough to
meet his own simple wants. but not enough
to dress as did his fellow students. and,
keenly feeling the snnoyances growing out
of his position. he abandoned the pursuit
and thought only of returning to America,
and arrived at Nova Scotia after long and tedious
voyage. He found little doing in the way OF art in
America. and after seeing his friends he returned to
Europe. this time bound for England. For time
Stuart struggled along best he could. but finally
his necessities compelled him to seek il not assist
ut least advice. and he presented himself at the
house Of his countryman. Benjamin West. then at
the height Of his fame. West took fancy to the
handsome young painter, and not only allowed him
to paint in his studio but domicilod him In his
family.
'It at this time" says Mr.. Mason, "while
contending with adverse fortune, that Stuart was
called to Sion House. one of the country seats of
the Duke of North cumberland, to paint portraits of
n
rare thing to have such an order But the young
painter had ono solace during the time that hc
was struggling for bread. and that was q love for
music. in which ho had become very proficient.
Years before no had mastered number or instru-
inepts, aud he had also met with some success
composer"
MARRIAGE TO COATES
Mr.. Stuart had not been long established when he
married Miss Charlotte Coates. daughter OF DIR.
Coates. of Berkshire England Miss Stuart says of
this union:-
..Ariss Coates brother and Stuart had met At the
anatomical lectures of DIR. Cruikshank. They soon
became intimate frends and although the Doctor
was very much attached to him and admired his
genius he perfectly OF his reckless habits
and with the rest Of her family opposed the match
married May 10. I7sS by the Rev. Mr.. sprin@ste
She extremely pretty but her greatest charm in
the eyes Of stuart. was her singing. Her voice was
superb contralto. and when speaking she re-
markably attractive Fuseli was delighted with her
singing. and often made her repeat her songs. The
remembrance Of this was delight to her in after
years. for ho was tor his fastidious and
cultivated TASTE"
HOME AGAIN.
Possessed with desire to paint the portrait Of
Warrington. Stuart packed up his paints and sailed
tor America. landing in New York IN 1899. whero ho
was received most cordially by his countryn men.
painting room secured for him in stone street.
near William street. New York. and soon 1t was
known that no was ready to receive sitters.
Orders poured in upon him. says Mr.. Mason. and
had he laid by but n tithc of sums o received
his savings would have been ample provision for
his family; bat he as fond as ever OF society,
and loved to entertain and to be entertained. and
when at the board with his merry companions
he stu delighted to tell good story
and to sing good song. With such tendencies, and
with no knowledge OF business. 1t is hardly neces-
sary to say that. liberal the prices paid him.
and great as was his facility for throwing on work.
he hid always an empty purse. But embarrassing
M this was no found way of working himself out
Of any pressing difficulty, for with his brush he
could in few hours wipe out do u. and II tho