Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-10
A Tangled Question, i'm Which the Gov.
eminent il Interested.


eminent IL Interested.
| A PAINTING IN THE CAPITOL BUILDING WHICH Is
EITHER AN INFRINGEMENT Oh AN ADVERTISEMENT.
There has been great deal of discussion going
come time in and about the Capitol building and city
which now bids fair to occupy the attention of the entire
country tits concerning matter which might involve
in all probability endless amount of litigation be-
tween the government and the well known firm of A.
Vogeer Co of Baltimore, else it will disclose an
amazing amount Of almost prophetic vision the part
of the artist Mir. w. H. Powell Possibly it may be an
advertising scheme commenced years ago and silently
fostered by the firm advered toa firm known the world
for its brilliant originality in adve tisng The cir
which leads US to belief in the latter
viii appear further At present we have only deal
with the main of the discussion. viz The cele-
brated painting by Powell Of the Discovery Of the Mis-
sssipp and the fact that ruor has it that suit is in
order against the United States government for infringe
ment on the tradem the firm in question. With
out stopping discuss view OF this latter phase of
the question viii describe the painting. The picture
referred to intended representation of the dscov
cry OF the Mississippi by De Soto III l54 Although the
painting is beyond criticism. from the artistic stand
point is. according to the best authorities
in one feature at least inasuch is known that the
party was ragged and necessarily demoralized when
they landed but under the glowing Imagination and
magical brush OF the artist they appear if dressed for
state occasion In such work some latitude must be
allowed for that love of his art which characerzes Mr.
Powell and for desire to maintain beautiful and har-
monous coloring throughout The picture is situated
in the most prominent place in the rounda of the Capt.
to being the first the left side the visitor
tiers from the main eastern entrance It is similar in
style to the remaining seven panel picture. and is Of
the same SIZE The central figure is that Of DE Soto,
mounted upon q white horse while Just in the FORE
ground, and somewhat to the left is that Of
monk, (really the most characteristic figure
the canvas.) with the gray beard and prescribed
cowl of the veritabN st. Jacob himself. The holy
man Is represented In the familiar attitude well
known to readers through the trademark of the
Great German Remedy, with the exception that in this
case the beholder gets front view, and must add,
very pleasing one. The good man is seen in the act
OF pronouncing his benedction the CROSS which is
being lifted into position by four of the stalwar fol-
lowers of the persevering De Soto. The figure is
markably natural and the details admirably true
10 the TWO extended fingers, 1.-THE index and middle
strict accordance with the ritual Of his church. The
eyes Of De Sofa and those Immediately surrounding him
are fixed in earnest gaze the good monk and the
apparent reverence and evident JOY of the aborgines
standing not far away. are beaut1ul to behold. It
would appear that the artist was inspired while working
out this especial part of his picture for if to carry
his idea out fully he placed not far from the monk and
also in the foreground warlike looking Spanard in
the very act of binding up shattered limb. which
shows unmistakeabe signs of having been just rubbed
with the famous substance. st. Jacobs Oil. He has
just dropped the bottle and Is wrapping bandage
around the injured part Just in the of this figure
Is another warrior whose body is bent forward if to
purposey show his injured head, which, too. has just
been bandaged. So lfeife and natural these
hgures that almost expects to detect the pungent
lDelt peasant door OF the ST. Jacobs Ol which they
must have just applied its presence being recognized
by the color In short may that the interest of
the beholder is directed hanks to the artis not to
DE Soto, but to the old monk St. Jacob and the worthy
adventures who using his oil: and while
templates the view of the father Of waters he also is
impressed by the laws of association and comparison
to consider the virtue of that Prince of Remedies
Now as to the discussion. and the various grounds
upon which it has arisen. There are three questions
involved. The first is:
Did the prophetic soul of Mr.. Powell, the artist show
MIN that III our day and generation st. jacobs OIL would
be the prince Of remedies the father of waters the
Mississippi, was and is the king of rivers!
The second is: Is the government making use of the
trademark of A. Vogeler Co., the proprietors of ST.
Jacobs Oil, and if SO, why?
The third is Is it advertisement? and if 60 who
is doing the advertising? Is it plan that A. vogeer
Co. have been quietly working SO many years. and
have finally made 1t known? ~
Or has our government like people, become 80
exceedingly pleased with ST. Jacobs Oil that it gives
this everlasting and unequaed artistic advertisement
as a recOmpense for the good work it has done!
We know not concerning MIR. Powells prophetic
power. but know the facts exist precisely queried
above II there is truth in the that the firm
intend going to law with the government, establishing
the date OF the granting of the trade mark prior to the
painting OF the picture can alone give reasonable
grounds for such procedure. and showing of by
the plaintiffs as to why the defense infringes.
Should it be that government has taken upon
ITSELF without official announcement thereof to adver
se st. Jacobs Oil, (and this it is doing
dert manner daily Intentional otherwise it will
show curious and rather novel degree of enterprise in
affairs of state.
Whatever the outcome may be, there stands the
pcturea st Jacobs Oil painting in its true dellnea
ton, IN the Us Capitol Building. tits acknowledged
by the hundreds who daily flock to it; and whether
the government the artist the firm is responsible
for it, the picture is there and will be shown years
to come by Of the guides guards So it matters
not what view be taken of the circumstance the
comment upon it, the significant fact stands forth in
marked prominence that magnificent painting Illus
trave Of great historical event. and suggestive at the
same tme in eminent degree of the trade symbol of
the most popular remedial agent known is sheltered
beneath the dome of the Capitol. 1t