Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-06

| full picture Of the late Mrs Richard T. Merrick
Washington, in that day, had but few
picture buyers, and Mr.. johnson removed
| studio In New York where success awaited him,
and where he has all he can do in portraits at
| such prices 81 500 for bust size and $1,000
| for full length The Old Kentucky Home /" was
commenced here, the scene being the rear of
the old houses opposite Mr.. Merrick's resi-
dence. We shall soon have example of his
| work in the portrait of ex-President Cleveland
he is painting for the Executive Mansion. When
he left Washington / was fortunate in obtain
ing several of his studies as he called them, but
exquisite examples they were OF his genius, and
| one Of them, a single figure Of small size, 1 saw
| sold last winter in New York at the sale of a
| famed collection for $780, He has grown q
good deal older than when we knew him here,
but full Of devotion to his art and a tireless
worker. In his handsome parlor, adorned
met size his charming ''Savoyard," of which
Mr.. Frank Riggs has the original life size, and
1t il q masterpiece.
SNOW BUST OF JUDGE OTTO.
In 1861 We had a very heavy fall of snow, and
at that time, and in the condition Of Washing
ton streets, it was a very formidable enemy to
encounter. but boy then about sixteen years
old modelled out of that perishable material q
bust OF the then assistant secretary OF the inte-
rior. Judge Otto. 1t was modelled from memory
and placed on pile OF snow In front Of his
fathers residence on street near 18th, and
was so perfect likeness and SO artistic in exc
cution that ii attracted almost universal atten-
ton. As the weather turned very cold it re-
manned intact for several days. and really be-
came the talk of the town. Judge Otto was 80
well known that the bust was recognized by
every one. So much talent was displayed on
this transient work Of genius that his
father, Mr.. James p. Ellicott, was
induced to devote the boy to an artistic career.
Mr.. William II. Powell was here and had Just
obtained the order to paint his picture of Perry
at the battle of Lake Erie. and he was intrusted
with his art education, in drawing. &c. The
boy soon made reputation in the art school of
the Academy of Design. and under such in
structors as Lieutze, Huntington and Palmer he
rapidly advanced drawing of Canova' Boxer.
submitted by him in competition and which OBJ
tanned written approval Of these gentlemen.
and admission to the life school at a very early
age. The STAR at that time noticing the talent
of the boy. prophesied a future of success and
in great measure he has achieved it. Mr.
Henry j. Ellicott, the sculptor. is the boy of
1861 He Is n descendant of Andrew Ellcott, the
engineer and surveyor who. with Major Len
FAINT, laid out the ten-mile square. as The STAR
related very graphically few weeks ago. His
map was the one accepted by Washington and
Congress the official one. Lieutze said of
the drawing alluded to, 1T is the first he has
made In the academy and is SO admirable it
entities him to admission in the life school,"
Here he studied for ten years and received
ample recognition in the orders which crowded
his studio. His are the statues which adOrn
the soldiers monuments in New York. Massa-
chusetts. Pennsylvania, at Gettysburg; Sun
bury. of Col. Cameron, at Reading, Pittsburg
and Philadelphia.
STORY OF BUST OF DICKENS.
His bust Of Charles Dickens was great sue
cess and story of it is interesting Mr.. J.
Ray Mould. the eminent architect. said he would
like Mr.. Ellicott to execute a bust of Dickens.
a q for crtttr l.
rival. An enterprising photographer had pur-
chased from Dickens managers the right to
portray him. a monopoly in tact. but Mr.. Mould
brought Mr.. Dickens to the studio. The bust
was we'll advanced by the use of photographs
when Mr.. Dickens called and said: Il don't see
that you need me-you have me already in
clay. am sorry I cannot sit for you, as 1 am
bound not to sit to any one while in America.
but cat can look at a king. and you must make
the most of this visit; but mind, am not
posing
The next day. and before the clay was dry,
the bust was purchased with the right OF re-
production and thousands we're sold and sell
today in London and this country. Mr. Eli
colt has returned to his home from which he
went forth thirty years ago. encouraged by the
kind expressions OF The STAR and other Jour
mails, and is chief modeler and designer in the
office of Mr.. Windrim. the architect of the
Treasury. Anterior. before Eastman johnson,
Washington or Ellicott had trod this mundane
sphere, the court painter, he might be called,
was Mr. L. b. King, whose studio, a very spa
clous one on 18th street near +, was the resort
OF lovers OF art He was the portrait painter
Of the day and many of his portraits grace the
homes of our older citizens. He painted all the
Indian warriors who came to Washington and
the early cabinet minister's, many of whose life
like portraits hang in the government Offices
he lived here many years and bequeathed
his gallery to his native city, think Newport
Another famed artist and one of great talent
was Joseph Wood. His pictures are heirlooms
and are priceless. He painted in water and oil.
but excelled in miniatures on ivory. Those ex
tant rank with Malbone's and are exquisite in
finish, as are also his cabinets He rarely
painted life size, and l recall an example of
each style, which have not been equaled since
his day.a cabinet OF Maj. Wheaton in oil in
revolutionary uniform, and Of his daughter,
Mrs Anderson, on ivory. His son. Joe Wood,
jr., was an admirable miniature painter The
examples to be found now exist only in our old
resident families here. Why cannot through
our art association, a loan exhibition be gotten
up OF the family portraits and pictures painted
here since Washington became a capital!
SAM CHARLES AND HIS WORK
Following the Woods, if he was not a pupil
Of the elder Wood came another Washington
boy. whose brief life was full of artistic talent.
He began life as tailor. but soon displayed
such genius for the pencil that his services in
portraiture were eagerly sought and he OBJ
tanned the means and encouragement to 20
abroad, where he remained several years. On
his return he found ample employment for his
talent and he painted in oil and water on ivory
or on canvas with equal success. / remember
when the old American Theater was remodeled
by Mr.. Mckenzie, who married into the Jeffer-
son famlly-it must have been about 1882
Sam Charles, as everybody called him. painted
for the panels of the boxes portraits
OF the actors of that day-Booth, Forrest.
Jefferson, father and son. Cooper, Gus Addams
which were admirable. What value they would
possess now. 1 recall from the long ago of the
early fortles portrait painted by Charles of
Jim Wills famed comedian of that day
and presented to him on the occasion of a BEN
ett. 1t was a portrait of him as Nipperken, in
work of art, the likeness faultless. 1t hung for
some years in the lobby of the National Theater
and shared the fate of everything within its
walls when it was burned in 1886 Looking
over the files of the National Inteiliqencfr OF
some years ago l find an advertisement
OF "Pacifcus Ord, miniature painter" That
was long before the artist had assembled
the judicial throne. He has returned here,
where he began his artistic career which he
abandoned for the law. These samples, which
Washington has contributed to the world of
art, entities her to more extended field Of art
culture than existed anywhere in this country
at that early day, and the Corcoran Gallery now
furnishes the educational advantages in art
which was undreamed of of that period. The
government has scattered through its build
ings here some art treasures, especially in the
way of portraiture, which it is hoped will find
a suitable home where they will form an ad-
mirable gallery.