Nebraska advertiser., 1880-12-09

W NlllO II was
The Paintings in the ROtunda at WASH
ingtOn.
December Atlantic.
Mr.. Robert Wier's picture represent
ing the embarkatiOn of the pilgrims
from Holland was completed and placed
in the rotunda of the capitol during the
administration of President Polk. Orig
inally driven from their English homes
by religious persecution, they have en-
barked for the new world, seeking
freedom to worship God" The three
most prominent figures ON the deck of
the Speedwell, waiting on a dark au-
tumnal day for the turn of the tide to
put out to sea, are Governor Carver,
Elder Brewster, and Pastor Robinson;
each one dressed in a Geneva suit of
black, and each one having a bald head,
a gray beard, and pale face, as if the
three were painted from the same mod
ell. Then there is Miles Standish, who
was, history informs us, small man,
but who is represented in the picture as
a stalwart warrior. with tawny hair and
scarlet hose, wearing his cuiraSs and
carrying his sword, although there were
no foes in that vicinity. A woman
equally gigantic in size wears fanciful
green dress, while Dame White has n
gown of striped satin and Mistress Wins
low stands on the verge of the ocean
dressed like one of Rubens's portraits of
his mistreSSes. In the background are
other men and women gayly attired,
like the supernumeraries in melodra-
ma, and the picture fails to give an idea
of the sincere yet bigoted exileS for con
science sake. The artist sacrificed his
torical truth that he might produce a
picture full of strong effects. He receiv-
ed $4,000 for his work.
Mr.. John Vanderlyn, who was COM
misSiOned to fill another of the then va
cant panels Of the rOtunda, went imme-
diately to Paris, where he spent several
installments of his remuneration before
he commenced his Landing of Column
bus. He then employed a French artist,
and hired the costumes worn in the
opera of Ernani, so that the picture was
finished ''by the job" Indeed, it might
be called raising the wind" as any
one will say who sees it, or the cngray-
ing of it which ornaments the reverse of
| the five-dOllar notes now issued; for the
three flags borne by three of the origi-
nal group of tilibusters are blown out
ward in three different directions. Those
familiar with the real ability which char
acterized Vanderlyn's earlier works were,
sadly disappointed with his Landing of
Columbus.
A third panel was filed with picture
so called--of the Baptism of POcahOn-
tas. by Mr.. John G. Chapman. In ca
tering to the pride OF those who claimed
to be descended from the first families
of Virginia, Mr.. Chapman had difficult
ties to contend with, probably more de
pressing than even the failing of inspir-
alton which must attend the portrayal
of an apocryphal ceremonial. The Bap-
tism of POcahontas is not only q libel on
our respect, as a people, for historical
truth, but its sole effect upon lovers of
art is to excite ridicule.
Mr.. Henry Inman, an artist of some
reputation, received commission to fill
the fourth vacant panel, and went to
Europe, where he was said to have made
studies for his picture, and he had re-
ceived three annual installmentS of
$1,000 each when he died Mr. s. T. B.
Morse, an impecunious artist, who after
ward became enriched by his cQnnec-
ton with electric telegraphs, offered
either to complete the work of Mr.. In
man, or to paint a new picture, for the
remaining $4,000; but the offer was not
accepted In 1S47, congress. on the ur-
gent solicitation of General Shenck, au-
thOrized the payment of this $4,000,
with $4,000 more. to Mr.. w. II. Powell.
for picture of De Sofa discovering the
Mississippi; and when the work was COM
pleted he received further apprOpria-
ton of $1,000. De Sofa, who had been
for months jOurneying through the will
derness from Florida, appears in gor-
geOus attire, and recalls the well-knOwn
figure of Henry ". entering Paris. In
the foreground group urging forward
a cannon reminds one of Il similar artil-
lery movement in the siege of Saragos-
sd, while some yoluptuously formed
maidens (surely not Indians) are very
like the damsels who figure in Horace
Vernet's capture of the Smala, at Yer
sailles. The whole picture, in short, is
a plagarized patchwork OF generali-
ties, absurd and incongruous,-ba
drawn, gaudily colored, and as destitute
of historic value as an act of congress Is
of poetic feeling.
A group of statuary. by Luigi Persico,
Ga prOtege of Mr.. Buchanan), placed on
one of the two bookings on the sides of
the steps leading up to the eastern pJr-
tico of the capitol, excited much atten-
ton. The original commission gave
$4,000 for the group, but as much
more was subsequently voted. The sub
ject chosen by the artist was Columbus
explaining the mysteries of the globe To
a naked and crOuching Indian woman.
a very clever letter was written by
Colonel SeatOn, and published in his
National Hltettgencer, purpOrting 10 nave
come from this nude savage maiden,
whe thus protested against her forced
appearance before the public in an i'm
modest attitude and without apparel.
The commission for the companion
group Of statues was given to HoratiO
GreenOugh, who called his work The
Rescue. Il has been described as gi-
Gantic ScOtchman endeavoring To break
the back of big Indian, while woman
holds a child, and a large dog looks
peacefully on.
An ssInfaraSfsnO CaSa