Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1889-10-25


and may find those at Tewksbury as good
as any.
ONE OF HARDIE's PORTRAITS.
Last Monday evening was a red letter
occasion in the history Of the Young Mems
Christian Union Of Boston, an institution
which has long been recognized as one Of
the most active powers for good in that
city. No sectaran lines are drawn in its
management, but the Union simply reaches
out for the help Of all young men who will
avail themselves Of its benefits. Last April
it's membership numbered over 5000. The
greatest personal factor in its success has
been the work Of Mr.. William H. Baldwin,
its president, and it was his 63d birthday
anniversary and the 2lst anniversary Of
his connection with the Union that was
celebrated on Monday evening. The cen
trial feature Of the proceedings was the un-
yelling of a life size portrait Of Mr.. Bald
win painted by X g. Hardie, IT,, brief
mention of which has heretofore been made
in our columns The Boston Journals edi-
torial notice of the portrait is one of the
most careful and intelligent as it is also
probably one of the most Just and truthful,
estimates which has been made upon Mr..
Hardie's work, and we therefore reproduce
it entire:
'The portrait Of Mr. Baldwin the work Of Mr.
Robert Gordon Hardie. has such excellent qual
tiles Of life aud individuality that It is dfcult to
believe that 1t is only painted representation Of
| the weknowu president Of the Union As he
leans forward in the russell leather chair he seems
| to h. listening to some explanation question
ready To give advice, II needed or In any case to
| render a hearty word u encouragement The
| portrait is painted against a clouded. golden.
| brown background which throws into relief the
| finely modelled head and brings out all the values
/ OF the seated figure. One arm Is thrown nervous
/ ~ upon the table at the right the hand touching
! the arm Of the chair aud the other arm rests
| easily upon the side Of the chair. Slightly bend
| ing forward, the whole figure expresses cheerful
| activity, while the repose Of the countenance
! gives a calm dignity 10 the whole. The pose Is
| thoroughly characteristic. Even the hand on the
| table. which is painted with daring that might
have been dangerous with "A less skillful artist, is
not only correct IN ITS drawing, but expressive Of
| individuality. conscientious carrfiiness and
| pains.taking. which do.nut become unnnprisuls.
show that the artist has studied the subject with
| earnest feeling Even the accessories illustrate.
| this tendency 10 he faithful even Ia the smallest
detail The well thunb-d magazine. the books
and the decorated jar On the table are admiralty
| rendered without being made too prominent, aud
the table cloth with lis Turkish design is rich and
| elegant \ close study Of different textures Is by
up means the least worthy feature of tin. uDrt RAFT
The background itself has been the object " ar.
tstic study It's main purpps- not being the repre-
| Srntatinn Of ANY especial object as a curtain or
| furniture, but simply the expression Of space.
such care has been given 10 the whole that the
watch chain and the silken lining Of the coat arr
| realistically given, though not In a manner to de
! tract from the prominence Of the head. In all
| H. parts IA" portrait Is a most successful exam
pie Of an art which aims to be true to life aud TX
| pressive Of individuality"
In the Journal Of last Saturday was
printed an interview with Mr. Hardie. in
which his methods Of work were described
and the facts given about his preparatory
studies in this country and in Paris Incl
dentally this alluslOn was made to some Of
| tln RI Iaf' arlv a.b Ia. -
IN Brattleboro There is story that in
his boyhood he used to make caricatures Of
prominent men upon the sidewalks Of Brat
tleboro, Vt, his native town. making first
evidence Of his talent in that way i
couldn't do that very well. he explains, 'as
the sidewalks were Of mud : but there is q
slight foundation 10 the story, in the fact
that he drew caricatures with chalk upon
large sheets Of paper, which attracted til,
attention Of people, and were exhibited fl
nally, in Grand Army fair"
The Post critic gives Mr. Hardie strong
endorsement
" Paint me as AIN said Cromwell Had Har
die l-~n his painter, the order would have beef
unnecessary. Since Herkumer painted the archi
t"ct. III II. Richardson. Ne have s4--u no such Iplr
traits As Hardir paints Too real" says one critic
Well We have cried ont 10 have all portraits like
as IKE as photographs. aud now We have the
painter who eau do II The quality NJ bring like
ms subject cannot 20 further than Harie carrie
d. Al the same time his painting shows no hin
NJ any base assistance of the camera IL is honest
genuine work, done with the best kind ~ musirri
technique We do not compare II " it'll tn, grra
portraiturr Of the world but il does rank viii
much Of the b'st now produced ~ Europe"
The Herald writer renews his criticism
ON the lack Of Imagination and ideality il
Mr.. fardies pictures, but says that he ha,
portrayed his subject with uncommon vigor
and that members Of the Union in days t.
come will know Mr. Baldwin and the man
ner Of man he was AS well as the mos
painstaking and knowing brush can describ
him.
The Advertiser says the artist has caugh
TO perfection the nervous strength that i
Mr.. Baldwn's chief characteristic, and tn
features are marvellously reproduced "
The transcripts comment is Favorable
one. and its critic speaks of Mr. Hardie a
"a portrait painter who within the pas
year has made great reputation in Bostnl
= 10y the vigor aud fidelity of his work "