The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1885-02-15
And Cleveland, Too

We trust that our recent profitable and In
structive reflections touching the English
portrait painter In his relation to our public
men, were read with the attention they de-
served. That 80 eminent a statesman as
Brother BLAINE should elect to have himself
painted by an English artist Of uncommon
mediocrity, and that, too. when the picture
is paid for by the people. appeared to us
to afford occasion for some thoughtful de-
preoation OF the practice, II 1t did not justify
a more round and vigorous criticism.
1t would seem, however. that we but made
quately apprehended In what degree our
statesmen are inclined to prefer the indif-
ferent, tho mediocre, or tho wholly incapable
English artist to the American painter OF
flesh, blood, brains, and ability. We now
learn that our President elect. Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND, has been sitting to ON English artist
OF even more limited merit than the artist
preferred by Brother BLAINE; and we hear
that this gentleman will, fer the customary
consideration In such cases provided, duly
confer upon tho capital OF this State possibly
the worst portrait which Providence hos
lately permitted to DO painted.
While we cannot, for the reason that the
potentialities Of our President elect are in
measure latent and untried, dilate upon the
invitation to q portrait painter Of genius
which his features contain, or place him before
our readers with the lucidity and intelli-
Rence which marked our analysis Of Brother
BLAINE, we nevertheless affirm without
hesitation that he may present the material
OF fine portrait. Mr.. EASTMAN JOHNSON,
Mr.. WILLIAM NJ. CHASE, Mr.. ALDEN WEIR.
Mr.. ]. w. ALEXANDER. and other accom-
pllshed artists would not have failed, had
any OF them enjoyed the opportunity. to
make OF him q well-proportloned, dignified.
and considerable work OF art. They would
have handed him down to postsrity con-
formally to his outward and visible physical
facts, Illuminated and vitalized by such APP
prchension OF his spiritual qualities as their
genius might enabhs them to detect and depict
Such picture would be something worth
the having. humanity interesting canvas,
Instructive, inspiring, and informing. The
English artist has made a different sort OF
portrait. Disabled by no conscientious scru-
Piles respecting his ignorance, and moderate
ly elate over the social adroitness which has
served him to secure his little job, he has
painted with the li9htsome touch OF artistic
lmbecillty and has made our vigorous states
man to look as II no were composed OF that
which Mr.. DIsRARLI defined rs matter out
Of place." or course Mr.. CLEVELAND. like Mr.
BLAINE. will know better next time. 1t ia rea-
sonable excuse. or comparatively reasonable
excuse for them, that the natural unsophisti-
cation In such matters OF both statesmen
made them an easy prey to two nomadic
portrait painters, who, painting too badly to
be acceptable In England, where tho art OF
portrait painting Is wholly decayed thought
not unwisely. that their work, at any rate,
WAS good enough for Americans.
Both their victims, however, are entitled to
little commiseration; such, for instance.
as may be accorded to one who has mad
vertently walked into q pillory, which I'M
happy condition has much in common with
the being handed down to critical futurity
by really bad artist.