Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-09-28
Elders Latest Example

ELDERS latest example and chef dGaure
has received the finishing touches, and In
few days will be sent North 10 DC
exhibited. It's title is "Custer's Last
Charge but this conveys very made
ouatc idea OF the underlying theme Of
the work. II was commenced soon
after the news OF the Blg-1lorn tras-
cdy thrilled the country, and II IN
tended by the artist TO illustrate and
perpeuate what he conceives 10 have
been the last desperate stand OF the North
American savages against United States SOL
diery and the westward course OF empire.
The canvass is u by 81 feet. The compo.
sitjon is instinct with the most intense
tragic action. There are, perhaps. hum
dred figures in the grouping, the most
prominent Of which are artisticllly complete
in themselves, but each OF which Is essen
tial to the narrative. CUSTER is. OF course,
the central figure, both as to action and the
relief consequent upon the manipulation OF
lights. From him we have what may be
termed reverse Rembrant, but necessarily
less prominent as regard extremes, chro-
matte scale Of coloring. CUSTER, mounted,
is dressed in fringcd buckskin hunting
suit, and is bare.headed, with hi'
tawny locks streaming to the wind
His horse is in a full lope. the fol eject Just
clearing the head OF dying trooper. His
bride hand is drawn TO the breast, while
his rlght holds his sabre. with which he il
giving a powerful descending cut. On the
ground Immediately in front OF him. with
back turned TO us and with knife uplifted,
il an Indian chief in full costume, but who
Is falling from the pistol-shot OF wounded
trooper, the latter having raised himself on
bis left hand TO deliver his fire. To the
right Of CUSTER and TO the left OF Us is an
other Indian, on foot, with arrow drawn
10 the head and pointed at CUSTER.
This last figure is splendid physical speci-
men. Behind the falling chief and in the
central foreground is a dead bugler. To
the near left OF CUSTER is a wounded horse
that is staggering, and to his extreme fore
ground left are two Indians, one wounded,
who have made barricsdc OF dead horse.
In the middle distance, to the right and
left, the United States troopers and Indians
are massed respectively in the act OF
comter.charging, while in the centre and
to the rear Of the principal group the nlslee
is general. The costuming in the picture
is correct, as is also the topography. Mr.. Ell
DER having made close and long study OF the
former, and having been furnished by the
War Department at Washington with the lat
Ter. In celebrating his theme Mr.. ELDER has
not ignored any resource that he could
possibly avail himself OF in order to render
his work of historic value. In respect OF
artistic treatment he has put forth his best
and strongest efforts. The shock OF the
fight took place in depression between
two hills that have Just elevation and
gradual ascent enough to afford splendid
backgrounds for the massed opposing
forces. while along the depression there Is
presented an opportunity for an effect in
perspective, through which Mr.. ELDER has
achieved one OF his greatest triumphs.
In the facial expression of the figures we
have every possible emotion that we can
associate with such an event as the picture
portrsys-desperation, agony, despair, for
titude-everything but Appropriated
with a realism that is startling. In the
drawing OF the figures, whether OF men or
horses, we have the boldness Of technical
mastery coupled with the spirit Of the
enthusiast. In attention TO detail, as eX-
emplified in the debris OF the fight that
strews the ground and the vegetation, we
have the story OF hours Of uremitting labor
One OF the points that first strike us and
which grow upon lis as we study the pic
ture IN the absence OF ELDERS msnner.
While the work is, as we have said,
historic, in general tone, in the mat
ter OF contrasts presented In its ac-
ton, in outdoor tints, and in other dis
tinctively artistic elements, it bears brilliant
testimony to his creative faculty and appre-
citation. 1t should, as il doubtless will, at
tract great attention, not only As preserving
one OF the most notable incidents Of our
modern warfare with the lndians-nOt only
as recording the yalor OF great American
soldier, but as grand refutatiOn OF the
charge that there is little that is original in
American art