New-York tribune., 1880-01-09
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

Sons.
The eccentric humors OF the great American por-
trait painter preserved in traditional memories
even by many who are less familiar with his bril-
liant renown as an artist. Stuart was, III fact. the
spoiled child of a limited circle of society, which
was Just beginning to appreciate the value OF
aesthetic talent aud cultivation. He was allowed
to do everything pretty much in his own way he
spoke out whatever came into bis head. with lttle
regard 10 persons OF Iopretes he loved to have ms
fling at what was going about nm. hit or MISS as
II happened. II was no matter 20 hmm ana his Qua
behavior was just in keeping with his su"ngo
speech His erratic ways were not so much the
vagarcs 0f a man of genius As the crotchets OF d
fantastic individual his humOr was destitute Oh a
keen edge 1t snOte like hammer, but did not cut
like Iazor; his wit ran into dIolicry hls gayely
was the laugh of buifoon, inspired oy inc
love of fun. not bv quick sense OF
comic relations; he not genial nut
jovial # he had been less Of painter he would
have been more Of "A Wit people put up with HIS
broad farce for the sake of his excellent kenesses
They used to tell story in Cambridge which Is
not SGT down in this volume, showing ms love Oh 4
practical Joke though of the most inslpld aud trivial
character One day he called the attention oI SIT
ter TO portrait which hung on the wall. 40 you
think that a good likeness /" said Stuart. " Most
admirable" WAS the reply. But can show you a
creqfcr" rctorted the facetious artist, "yon really
thiuk the portrait is good likeness = No man
ner of doubt" replied the sitter. But can snow
you greater" SAID Stuart for the second tme' ana
shifting the action to the word, he op ned taDio
drawer and with boyish gce. pulled out an Ola
nutmeg grGftr to the dismay OF hs vlctim' VINO was
as much astonished as the bumptious traveller Oh
"Araba's wilds," when the many colored chame-
leon which produced before hls eyes, pioNeu 10
be white instead of black.
Gilbert Stuart born in Narragansctt, Rhode
Island on the 81 OF December. 175j. CndeT the
charge of a good teacher VINO had the reputation Oi
being a man Of learning and an excellent classical
scholar, young Stuart made RAPID progress esPe-
cally IN the study of Latin. But 1t was bard WORK
for hin 10 apply himself to books. His spirits were
too buoyant for the dulness Of the schoo-room.
lie was too fond of pranks too full OF al SORTS OF
mischief. to buckle down to hard study. But De
showed an innate fondneSs for drawing, when he
did not attempi to suppress. None ol MS cary
Efforts have been preserved, for he kept no poIl-
folio His sketches we're made with chalk or char
coal on a fence, or slab. or The tail-board of cart
to be wiped out with the first brush of sleeve
pr passing shower. In these rude drawings
there was nothing but the merest out
lines but the work was always delight,
and at last he began to feel that lie must be
a painter But he had no guide nor instructor; no
one to teach him even the rudments Of his calling
About this time his parents removed 10 Newport
Here the prospect began to brighten. lie was
brought into better field for the cultivation OF art
On many walls he conld prints that were to-
erably good. Quaint Old Dutch tiles looked out
upon him from mOp-boards and chimney corners
md the nchly cOlorcd wares of china were to be
seen in almost every household. But there were
few portraits and sll fewer portrait painters But
g. ocra1 ffprW
ing patiently he at last obtained colors. palette,
md occasionally a stray sitter. He now made the
acquaintance of a Scottish artist, named Cosmo
Alexander who had come to America a
visit and on his return to England took Stuart
with him.
During his absence of two years. Stuart had gained
n good deal of information. He had seen better PIC
lures than lie conld at home. and had come into
contact with artists of established reputation. His
merits began to be recOgn zed He was soon called
upon to paint the portraits of some of the wealthy
Jews of Rhode Island and other commissions came
in from many quarters. At the same time. he did
not forget TO study drawing from life, and in con-
junction with a young friend hired STRONG
musced blacksmith as model paying him half a
dollar an evening But his experience abroad had
awakened strong desire to revisit Europe. He
folt that he could earn enough for his
support and in the Spring of 1875 he again
started for Great Britain. On his arrival
In London he took cheap lodgings and began to look
ont for employment. One of his chief purposes in
returning to England was to become pupil of Benz
lamin West who was at that time in the zenith of
his artistic fame With no letter Of introduction,
he determined to call in person on the great painter
The result of the experiment is thus described:-
West was dining with some friends whena servant
told him that some one wished to see him lie made
answer: am engaged y; but added. after pause,
"Who is he ?" u don't know. sir he SAYS he is
from America Thereupon one OF the guests Mr.
Wharton said :" will go and see who 1t Is" |
Wharton was from Philadelphia, and was intimate
with Vests family. He went out and found
handsome youth, dressed IN "a fashionable green
coat. With him nc talked for some time. and find
Ing that hc was a nephew Of Joseph Anthony, one
Of the most prominent merchants IN Ihliadelphla,
and who happened TO be friend OF Mr.. Wharton,
he M once told MIR. West that he was well con-
nectcd. Hearing thus. West came ont and received
his visitor cordially Stuart told him OF his long
desire TO see HIM, and his wish 10 make further pro-
rre-s IN his calling; to all which West listened
with kindness and attention. AZ parting lie re-
QucStcd Stuart 10 bring him something that be had
PAINTED This Stuart did gladly: In a few DAYS he
commenced his studies with West. and shortly
after. in thc Summer of 1777, he was domicied IN
his family. At that time be was two ana twenty
years of age.
Stuart worked hard while pupil of West, and
more than repaid his teacher by painting parts Of
bis pictures. He indcfatgablc in tho study Of
The head Wost saw that he was remarkably sue
cessful in portraiture. and often called upon him
for assistance when employed. While Stuart was
attending the discourses of Sir Joshua Reynolds. he
was sent with fine colors present from Mr..
West to Sir Joshua. The scene that ersued is thus
related 10y Miss Stuart -
Reynolds took him into his paintng-rOom to show
liim his picture of Mrs Sldd0ns, the Tragic
Muse. SIR Joshua, seeing him 50 delighted. invited
him 10 come and see il when 1t was finished, which
,ny father WAS only too happy 70 do Gong into
RcynOlds's room he found him full of anxiety and
bnsy giving tho finishing touches his hair tOr lis
Nie) very much dshevclied. his stockings rather
IoOsr and his general appearance disOTdcrcd The
Instant my father looked at the picture he caught
his breath with feeling of disappointment: SIR
Joshua perceived this. and asked him if he did not
iLiuk Le had impIOyed IL. Stuart amsMercd " 10