New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-22
Ne,U York, Jan. II, 1883.
THE LATE HENRY COLLINS BlsPHAM.

70 the EditOr OF The Tribune
SIR. Ihaye not yet seen published a Ito mel
sotsfactory sketch of the life OF Henry Collins Blsp
ham tie talented American artist whose death IN
bome was recently reported. He was the con Oh JONI
Burke Bispnam ard Martina Lawrie Collins BispAam
and WAS born in Philadelphia, Penn, on June o. lo4l
A child he was very delicate but early In LIE showed
plainly his fondness for drawing which was source
NJ creat Amusement aud interest to him during hs hours
of confinement to the house. Before be was twenty
wears Old this talent had developed that was thought
best to allow him cultivate IT, and he passed several
years IN the studios Of Messrs Edward d. Lewis ana YIN.
T. Richards in Philadelphia. In the fall Of 1862 he
Joined an artillery company and accompanied the
Reserve Brigade Of Philadelphia in its march through
the Cumberland Valley OF Pennsy and TO the oa'
tie of Antietam. On his return TO Phiadelphla no
opened studio and soon after painted bis nrst
large oil picture, OF " Cavalry RAID, which was pur
chased BY Samuel " Merrek OF Philadelphia, for $3.50
After this he painted in rapid succession and found
mick sales for pictures Of the battles scenes wild
animals etc. and among the latter study OF Hon
head which was purchased by Edwin Forrest the ira
gedian.
In 1860 Mr., Bspham made journey abroad, remain
ing about a year ana studying his art in England
France, Germany and Italy. He received many com
,n,ssons from the United States and sold several OF
his pictures Paris while studying there. In 1867 ne
came back TO this country, and joining his family VINO
had moved to New-York. opened studio In that city
ano remained there till 1878. Soon otter his return
he was elected member of the Century Club Of New
York and in its gallery many of his paintings have mad
their first exhibition He presented 10 the Century his
stpdy of a "Roman Bull" which still adOrns the walls
of the cub-room In 1871 Mr. Bispham was married
et ST. Adams church, New-York, TO Ida Tghman
Lowry descendant her mothers side OF ChiefJus-
tice T.ghman OF Maryland
His principal works are dead In the Desert"
large study of lion and Loness, purchased by Dr. s. p
hV fha mn of
General George Magee, of Watkins, N. Y; "ROman
Cattle On the Campagna," property OF W. H. Wallace
Of Brooklyn; stampede OF Wild Horses, property Of
i. Hayden, Chicago and The Game ofPolo," property
OF James Gordon Bennett. Mr.. Bispham was exceed
ingly happy his pOTtraiture OF horses. and painted
many fast horses 10 and around New
York His portrait Of Mr.. Bonners celebrated Dex-
ter was presented by Mr.. Bispham TO General Grant.
financially ever the delineation Of wild animals
and domestic cattle, and in these pictures be was al
always thoroughly at home. He drew and painted with
very great facility bis familiarity with the anatomy Of
animals being thorough The picture called Dead in the
Desert was painted from two superb animals, lion
and oness belonging 10 the collection In Central Park
1t represents lion standing erect on the dead body OF his
mate been shot by the hunter and has dragged
herself into desert to die There Is long stretch
of gray sand deep blue sky and against it in strong
relief the tawny bodies OF the tw animals The min
elrd grief and rage Of the hon depicted with
force aud skill OF late years Mr. Bispham did not
commissions for pictures which the owners carried
aw ay o. fast they finished. But he exhibited
study OF tigers the spring exhibition OF 1873 Of the
Academ, OF Design, In New York, which highly
praised and permission asked 10 send II 10 the EK
p0s.tion at Paris
He had two children Avlce dc layton and Henry
Carroll The died in Paris In 1879 Mr. Elephants
health the only obstacle to the steady pursuit OF his
profession He suffered all his life from asthma and
was az times entirely prOraed by that disease But de-
tue an his sickness he worked faithfully and with
determination aGd had already made himself well
known III 1878 failing health forced pl 10 10 abroad,
AID ne went hrst Paris when he had the good fortune
TO meet NJ Van Narcke. the famous cattle painter be
~ cen whom and himself there .prang up strong and
lasting friendship He exhibited IN the Paris Salon Of
picture was seen In 1880 In the London Royal Academy
IN the summer Of 1879 lie had severe nesa at
TTouvie Needing warm climate he went the following
winter Nice where he painted bis large picture OF ta
Ian cattle called La Vallie du VAR. This picture was
sent 10 the ia ris OF 1880 and gained hun much
praise lie passed the Distrrs OF 1SSOSl ana l6Sl-SZ
Ia Rome havps studio there aud dsposug readily OF
all the pictures he cond paint In the summer OF 1881
be made short visit this country. Last winter lie
was very Ill In Rome and his life despaired OF but
he seemed and with his wife and cnd
France passing OF last summer al Etreiaon Inc
coast From there went 10 swftZerland Tor tine
hoping 10 gam strength but he became III and re-
turned 60 Rome middle OF November last. He
died Rome tue 22d OF December and was buried IN
the Protestant Cemetery. warm and devoted friend
he never seemed happier than when he helping
acme brotner-arIs and his bright sunny temperament
tare hn through years Of lness thst the majority OF
ms coulI NOT nave endured at all ARTIST.
.dff NH Ian. d.