New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-19
SOME historic PORTRAITS.

The Sharples portraits OF Washington and Martha
Washington have returned 10 this city and may be
seen tor few days the American Art Galleries in
oompany with several historic portraits which
TO our public First among these in point of historic
interest is the portrait OF Mary. the mother OF Wash
ington. painted by Major Middleton. officer at
tacLed to the army OF the Inflated Braddock. This
picture Major Waterss catalogue tells us, mutt
lated In its removal to Washngtons headquarters at
Phade phia and atterward hung u his bedroom
at Vt Vernon Later it sent to England. where
Robert Cary and James Shsrpes were both concerned
ia superlntendipg its restoration task finally
complished by Bird. a Royal Academican. There
seems to have been application By the Custis tam
iy for tho pictures return. and 1t remsined Eng
land the present being grandnlece OF Robert
IAry This history Ii related IN considerable detail,
and we know OF reason TO doubt ito accuracy.
Considering the vicissItudes through winch the
picture has passed its present condition Is mdcn better
than II light have been expected Middleton was lar
from being great portrait painter. nor Gld bra ue
serve such rank but may well lose sight OF other
considerations remem boring that this Is the only
existing likeness OF the mother OF Washington. In the
features of this beautiful blonde those given 10 tracing
hkeuesses may readily lind resemblance 10 her SON
We have historical portrait possessing the same
degree OF peculiar interest which attaches 10 thus and
We can only repeat the wish. 30 often expressed COZ
corning tho Sharpes portraits that 1t might remain
MId1letons portrait OF Mary Phllpse, tair and
gentle face brings the early romance OF Washing
tom, lite although ia bard to credit romance With
share the lite OF the man As depicted IN Sharpess
rlgd profile which hangs near Nv. iuckerlhan mas
pronounced this tho most correct iacaI outline OF
Washington existence. but It Is Disappointing
pctnr- The full front view Ia a different matter.
ln the words OF ryans concise analysis. Tho eoun-
teuance expresses thought, resolution senslOuty ana
a high degree oi physical activity.
The proDle portrait al Martha washington suggests
I'm It's low tones aud simplicity something OF the man.
nei of the Dutch masters but there Is nothing Of their
vivacity. rather an almost archaic 'mmoblty. We
need not dwell upon PORTRAITS 80 well known as these.
so amply discussed by three generations. The c0n-
PARSONS with the Smart portrait owned in Boston,
the superior energy and the happier IuulnR OF tho
mouth ia this the oeliiirIl painting aud. Washing
Irving has SAID the greater measure OF calm Dig
nIty IN that, all ZANZIBAR. Those who seek To push
comparisons further have AT command copOus litera-
nTe including one book Miss Johuston's Portraits
OF Wasnn. ton" which al II happened was published
ut the tine Sbarples portraits were last eShoted
here in 1852 This COLLECTION contains Shsrp!e~s
portraits OF Che-JustIce Marshall Dr. lrcsuey
Robert Fulton aud hts wife, ana several oil the bellies
of Revolutionary times Some OF these pictures #
we read the catalogue rightly. were restored by
Macise aud perhaps TINS has something to do With
apparent inequalities IN execution There Is we be-
eve, other oil portrait ot Robert fulton. ana this
indeed all these portraits should command attention
and interest. The re-nppeaanoe OF the Washington
portraits with that vi Mary W ashngton will again
raise the question whether these pictures not nni
permanent LOIue In the nation which should De their
owner. generation ago the Historical Society AID
ST. George Society took THIS matter up. aided oy
members OF the Aston ana Aspmwall iamilies' out
their elors tailed. The painting Of feter otuyNo-
sauts army entering New York would oil course. DC
highly valued. especially III ths ciiy, out . -
nort Ant In eompuison with the Washington portraits
Perhnps the movement for their purchase, IN which
Washington Irving ieit SO deep an interest may oe re-
vived w, M. led TO than those portraits may
be purchased aud unless the present owners oho''n
very cxtravagant anucipatons their purchase posi-