Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-09-29
PORTRAIT OF Mr.. DAVIS.
MIR. william Carl Brownies Commission
from the Wes,mnreland Club Finish De

Mr.. William Carl Brownies portrait Of
ox-President Jefferson Davis, which was
commission from the Westmoreland CLUB.
has been completed and A. now on exhibi-
ton at Franck's. next door 10 the corner
of Ninth and Franklin streets. IL IL a
full three-quarter length-the canvas
measuring five feet six inches by
three feet four inches and one of
the most elaborate and snccessiui
examples that have ever come from Slr.
Brownies easel. whether viewed SIMPLY IN
respect of portraiture or as compost
tion. The conception is that of Mr.. Davis
as President Of the Contederacy lust
about TO enunciate some incontestble
principle. The figure Is drawn up TO ITS
full height, and is instinct with dignity
and grace The right hand hangs easily
and naturally at the side. To the left
is table covered with rich heavy
cloth. on which half unrolled and
held II place by Vatteps Law OF
Nations is map of the battlefield OF
Seven Pines. On this volume, with
knuckles downward, rests firmly the
closed left hand. as If to accent what the
lips are going TO utter. while behind the
book are An ink stand and pen-rack and q
package Of official letters. 10 the LEFT or
the table is huted column. from which a
curtain is so parted a. to droop back Of the
figure and of an armchair which IL To the
right. aud expose IN the distant per-
spective the Capitol building. over which
floats the Confederate flag. The. still life
accessories and general background,
while full Of suggestion and most faithful
as regards technique and minutie. are 80
manipulated and subdued and harmonized
in tone as to throw out the head and figure
in the boldest relief, but at the same time
retain softness and feeling. The model
ling Of the head IS vigorous and confident
in every line The eyes as they look
straight ahead mirror clearness OF intel
lect that il unmistakable. and the whole
expression denotes strength OK purpose
and strength OF character. Ii Is not neces-
sary TO know that IL Is n portrait OF Mr.
Davis in order To appreciate thai II repre-
sents "A great man embodylng "A great cause.
In flesh tints and all the other essentials
of coloring Mr. BIown has more tnan sus-
tanned his envinble reputation. The hands
are in themselves study and an artistic
triumph. not only rs respects anatomy but
Us regards character. The hair and boar
are treated with superb delicacy. yet with
decision. and the fold details and texture
Of the drapery. both of figure and hack-
ground. are exquisite IN their truthful
mesa. II il - grand picture of a grand SUBJ
iect, considered from an artistic stand
point alone, and is pronounced by those
who are competent to Judge, 10 be a per
feet likeness of MIR. DAVIS az the time he
| first assumed the reins of the Confederate
Government. The verdict Is that II pOr-
trays tho features, the figure. and
| the spirit Of the man and is q
standard The frame Is an elegant
specimen of the carvor's and gilder's art.
| Ii is deeply incast with series of richly
carved mouldlngs and Is surmounted hy the
great senl Of the COnfeleracy, end the
wholo--the work of Messrs. trancs
| Brothers was wrought by hand.
Mr.. Browne had nothing 70 work from
| but the Gait bust. most defective photo
graph, and his own recollection OF Dir
naVia