The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1881-01-23
Washington and Lord baltimore

10 tHe EuttOr OF IHe SHNuUy HeTutu.
SIR: Some ten or fifteen years ago the ven
cradle ritian L. tea'e, then living in this city, had
in his possession and hanging on his walls large
fulllength portrait of Cecil Calvert second Lord Bal
timore painted by vandyke. 1t was presented to the
city of Annapolis, Nd, two hundred years ago, hy
Queen Anne, and becoming discolorcd by dust and
candle smoke was finally laid away and forg ten.
Mr. Peae's father, Charles Wilson Peale, the emil
nent painter, accepted 1t from the city fathers OF
Annapolis In payment for six portraits Of old Gov
ernors of Maryland, and from him 1t descended to Its
present owner, Tiian Peile. 1t is grand historical
picture Of great value, whether painted by Nandykc,
which is almost certainty, or some nnihtan, by
Sir Godfrey hueller Artist of almtst cuni teebfi
y Mr.. Pcae has offered to the Library Cbnhitect to
sell the picture TO the United States with bne Of Wash
ngton, Of the e size painted BY his father bu in or
der OF Congress In lTT9 bit hetef paid 6 for The slim
OF :25 fol the two The Question OF the purchase
Is now under consideration by the committee. Both
pictures works of The highest art, aid beyoid all
question should be acquired by the Government with
out delay. The picture of Lord baltimore alone, in
view Of the fame Of the artist the historical Interest
of the subject and THE spientof of the painting Is
alone worth all which MIR. feale asks iUr the two
pictures. AS Mr. Benson j. LOSING says In three
column article describing 1t, written In 1877, "a
portrait Of the founder Of any State In Europe well
authenticated as this, and painted by artist of far
less genius than Sir Anthony yandyke possessed,
would be claored for and obtained by the people and
rulers OF such State boon too precious he lost.
1t wonld be eagerly purchased at cost of $50
by the smallest pfinrphlty Of the German empire,
by the most Insignificant oi other States In Filroie.
At the risk Of proiSty, let me quote Mir. Losing
description of this picture, fton tile saihe article,
printed in the Philadelphia Press of April 5, 1877:
In the centre OF the canvas stands Lord Baltimore,
life size dressed In coat and small clothes ot blu,
sleeves lined with silk of the very llghtest shade o
blue brocaded in graceful pat.erh HIS trunk: hos
gold and silver. This Is seen beneath his sash o
orange silk and again at the neck above the breast
plate of steel. which is inlaid with gold Above III,
doublet is a fine lawn shirt and cravat. Below III,
broad sash Is the hllt Of his sword, studded viii
Jewels. lie wears powdered wig: and on his fee
cooked hat lies on q sofa beside him, with the naI
looped and fastened with gems Of great size. fh
left hand, holding gauntlet at his side, Is shaded b.
rufle Of fine lace, the lawn sleeve on the other ar
showing the same costly bordering. flag or orang
with cross Of black-the family coIors Of Lord lal
timore--is gracefully dfaped from the the bas
| OF drum near by.'
wish had room to quote Mr.. Lossing's de
tailed description of the numerous accessories Of til
picture, which Indicate the object for which It wa
painted and the identity of It's subject.
The writer Of this paper has seen the picture, while
is now In Philadelphia, and, as many Will remember
was exhibited at the Philadelphia Exposition In 1877
and does not hesitate to pronounce It Of the
magnificent portraits In the world. II acquired b
the Government, II VIII be one Of the most super
ornaments of the Capitol.
The portrait of Washington. also offered by Nj
Peale, have not seen, but 1t was painted by Char,
Wilson Peale from sittings taken during the acti,
campaign of i779 much Of 1t painted In Washington
tent, and Is considered one Of the artists mastei
pieces. That the Congress Of that day should hay
| Ia for n by is "a myqt Ito,