Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1880-12-08

OF cases In which arrears OF pension:
have been allowed up to November lst
the date of the report, is 43,9l7. The
average in each case is $3.50.
THE PAINTINGS IN THE RO
TUNDA AT WASHING TON
Mr.. Robert Weir's picture represent
ing the Embarkation of the Pilgrims
from Holland was completed anC
placed in the rotunda of the Capitol
/ during the administration of President
Polk. Origin, lily DIR ven from theil
English homes by religious persecu.
tion, they have embarked for the New
World, seeking freedom to worship
God" Tle three most prominent fig
ures on the deck of the Speedwell
waiting o. dark autumnal day fol
the turn of the tide to put out to sea,
are Governor Carve, Elder Brewster,
and Pastor Robinson; each one dress
| ed in Geneva suit of blac =, and each
one having bald head, gray beard,
and pale face, as if the three were
painted from the same model. Then
there is Miles Standish, who was, his
tory informs US, small man, but who
is represented in the picture as a stall
wart 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 fanci-
full green dress. while Dame White has
a gown of striped satin, and Mistress
Winslow stands on the verge of the
ocean dressed like one of Ruben's por-
traits of his mistresses. In the back
ground are other men and women gay
ly attired, like the supernumeraries in
melodrama, and the picture fails to
give an idea Of the sincere yet bigoted
exiles for conscience sake. The artist
sacrificed historical truth that he might
produce picture full of strong effects.
He received $4,000 ior his work
Mr.. John Vanderlyn, who was COM
missioned to fill another of the then
vacant panels of the rotunda, went im-
mediateiy to Paris, where he spent
several installments of his remunera-
ton before he commenced his Landing
of Columbus 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, OF the engraving of it which orna-
ments the reverse of the five-dollar
notes now issued; for the three flags
borne by three of the original group of
filibusters are blown outward in three
different directions. Those f,miliar
with the real ability which character
ized Vanderlyn's earlier works were
sadly disappointed with his Landing
of Columbus.
A third panel was filed with pict-
ure-so called-of the Baptism of
Pocahontas, by Mr. John G. Chapman.
In catering TO the pride of those who
claimed to be descended from the first
families of Virginia, Mr.. Chapman had
difficulties to contend with, probably
more depressing than even the failing
of inspiration which must attend the
portrayal of an apocryphal ceremonial.
The Baptism of Pocahontas is not only
libel on our respect, as a people, for
historical truth, but it's sole effect upon
lovers of art is to excite ridicule.
Mr.. Henry Inman, an artist of some
reputation, received the 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 received three annual installments
of 50, 900 each when he died. Mr.. s.
F. B. Morse, an impecunious arti-t,
who afterwards became enriched by
his connection with electric telegraphs,
offered either to complete the work OF
Mr.. Inman, or to paint a new picture,
for the remaining $4,000; but the
offer was not accepted. In l847, Con-
gress, on the urge t solicitation of
General Schenck, authorized the pay
ment of this S4 900, with $4,000 more,
to Mr.. w. Ii. Powell, for picture of
De Soto discovering the Mississippi !;
and when the work was completed he
received a furthur appropriation OF ST.
600. De Soto, who had been for
months journeying through the wilder
ness from Florida, appears in gorge
Gus attire, and recalls the well-known
figure of Henry w. entering Paris. In
the foreground group urging forward
cannon reminds one of similar ar
tllery movement in the Siege of Sara
gossa, while some voluptuously formed
maidens (surely not lndians) are very
like the dlmsels who figure in Horace
Vernet's Capture of the Smala, at YER
sailes. The whole picture, in short,
is plagiarized patchwork of generali-
ties, absurd and incongruous,-badly
drawn, gaudilv colored, and as destl-
tute of historic value as an act of Com
gress is of poetic feeling.
A group of statuary, by Luigi Per-
sico Ca protege of Mr.. Buchanan),
placed on one of the two bookings on
the sides of the steps leading up to the
eastern portico of the Capitol, excited
much attention. The. original COM
mission gave $4,000 for the group,
but as much more was subsequently
voted. The subject chosen by the ar
tist was Columbus explaining the mys-
teries of the globe to a naked and
crouching Indian woman. A very
clever letter was written by Colonel
Seaton, and published in his National
Intelligencer, purporting to have come
from this nude savage maiden, who
thus protested against her forced APP
pearance before the public in an im-
modest attitude and without apparel.
The commission for the companion
group Of statues was given to Horatlo
Greenough. who called his work Tine
Rescue. 1t has been described as a