The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-10-06

Ib-lHh, ul- liSHt NIHl u u plittti. WIN
hand pointing towards a statue OF
Liberty, upon the end of whose spear IL
suspended the Roman pileus or cap. the
Classic emblem of personal freedom.
In his left hand he firmly grasps a
scroll. on which appears the words,
"Magnd Chdrta. " IN Roman text. Al
though the cOuntenance of the noble
speaker does no, express the fire ana
energy SO well known to have charar-
terized his terrible fulminations against
the policy of the government in IT'S
course towards the colonies: yet the oO-
server cannot fail to be impressed by
the strength and ms jesty Of the compo-
sition as whole. The picture j, pala'
tial in its accessories. The heavy folds
of sober drspery aud stately column IN
the foreground are relieved by the re-
ceding lines of marble buildings In per-
spective. The latter are said 10 repre-
sent White Hall Palace. where the very
window may be seen out of which the
unfortunate Charles | walked 20 the
adiicent scaifold on which he suffered.
The artist was Charles Wilson Peale.
who subsequently became one Of the
most noted of American painters. Peale
was native of Maryland. and had just
begun life as a saddler at Annapolis.
when bis eve was attracted bv a PIC
lure which gave him such pleasure as
70 awaken ~ his bosom desire TO be-
come a painter. IL was thus that the
dormant power which afterwards made
him and his gifted family distin-
saklng thu work-stoOl. his leather and
the saddle tree. by the aid of friends he
went to London There he began the
study of art as pupil and proiege of
Beniamin West. He must have soon
acquired reputation in his new calling.
lnasmuch as Mr.. Edmund Jennings,
who ordered this portrait at his own
expense. might have secured tive ser
vices of some more experienced artist.
BE tins az it NAV. young Peale had the
honor of painting this portrait from
life: for there is the best authority for
saving that his L0rdship sat for the pic
ture. If his manipulation and color
ing in thls work are not equal TO the skill
be exhibited in his subsequent perform
auces. ITS conception and composition
display uncommon power in beginner.
l. Is not generally known that this por-
trait Of Chatham is an original, and one
Of the first productions of Peale S pen
ell. The fact adds value 10 the picture.
at the same time its crude and imper-
feet execution. cOntrasted with that OF
ms la.er works. illustrates the degree
OF perfection n tiuaiiy reached.
The companion picture which hangs
on the other side of the entrance To the
hall of the House of Delegates l. full
length portrait of SIR. jefferson. The
history of this reiict has been veilei ln
Obscurity for many years. Strange to
say. nothing can be found oi record 80
the Capitol TO establish Its identity oil
furnish a clue as To who was the artist.
~ one can doubt whom 1t represents
The tall, graceful figure. the bright, in-
telhgent face and philO,0phiC brow. Che
clear. expressive eye, fair complexion
and Characteristic head al once disclose
to the observer the presence Of him
whose principles Of human government
have not only long survived the oPposi
ton Of bis contemporaries. but are at
this very day asserting their power by
steadily leayening the MASSES OF man
kind
The illustrious subject Of this very
attractive picture Is here represented
dressed in .ull suit of black velvet,
wish small clothe-. buckles and low
quarter shoes. Tle coat ia closely
buttoned up 20 q white crayat. just uc-
low which she bright luos Of a scarlet
walstcOlt ilumiue the otherwise
sombro costume A lOosely-littiug over
coat OF hrownish gray, with collar auh
cuffs of fur. worn over The above.
adds the peculiareif cts of drapcrY 90 the
picturesque and palriciau figure. Both
arms hang easily down close To the
body. the lett being thrown slightly
back in the hand of which Is seen "a
blank scroll of white paper. THIS
untrue costume is evidently in kelping
with the French fashions Of the day.
The red vest and fur adonments to The
OyercOat or "sur0ut were cOmmJnl.
used at the time Nr. Jefferson Resided
IN that country. A striking portrait oi
DR.. Franklin. taken ia Paris while be
was American minister az the French
court. now the properly OF the
Historical Society Of Virginia, bears
some OF the cnaracteristic7 of this Poi
trait o. Dir. Jefferson. Il - supposed
that the artist Of toe latter must have
done his work son alter Ar. Jeiler-
son return from that country. Like
the picture Of Lord Chatham, his also
is palatlve in ITS composition. The
figure stands with the right foot slightly
thrown farward. upon marble base,
tiauked by columns and backed by tire
heavy folds Of maroon drapery. a., a
wosk of art it Is very far superior tQ
the companion piece On the 0iher side
OF the door. Indeed. the treatment OF
the whole picture il skiiiiul and deli
cate. 1he drawing seems taultie5s.
while the coiors are disposed with
view to proper effects. a close inspec-
ton OF It's details cannot fail to assure
the observer that the work was done
bv praciiced hand, and that the artist
was fully Impressed with the dignity
and importance Of his subject.
Who. then. was this artist After
diligent search through the records amt
older archives OF the State, and alter
much enquiry by correspondence and
0thcrUise without results. the hope oi
answering this question satisfactorily
mad almost been abandoned when the
writer happened 90 mention the subject
TO a gentleman whose years aud mem
Org enabled him 70 speak as by au-
thOrity. He at once recalled the picture
and its author. The exact date of It's
pointing could not be recalled. But he
described at once how George Catlin
had come 10 Virginia and executed this
valuable work. expecting tine Legi.l4-
ture would purchase il for the State.
This, he says. they never did. and poor
Catlin went away disappointed bat not
without hope. He left the picture IN
the keeping OF the Slaie authorities.
where it has been ever since. The fact
that no mention or reference 10 IL can
lie found in the public records gives
color to the opinion that it was never
purchased by the State.
Oae correspondent. now more than
an octogenaIian. recOlltcted IL in the
small library in the second story Of the
Capitol. when he was very young
uan aud a new member Of the Legisla-
ture. lie recalled it particularly as
beng the best likeness Of Mr Jefferson
he had ever seen. His father and Mr..
Jefferson bad been intimate friends.
had seen the latter frequently at Month
cello and other places, ana his person