The herald., 1894-09-20
A HISTORIC PORTRAIT.
Sons of the Revelation Roceive q Hand
some Gift.


some Gift.
The California society, Sons of the
Revolution, has been presented with 6
copy of the newly-engraved portrait oi
Washington by Gilbert Stuart.
The painting is the Boston Atheneum
portrait, and is one of the only two
painted by Stuart, the other being
known as the Lansdowne portrait. which
is now owned by Lord Rosebery, prime
minister of England.
Gilbert Stuart came from Europe ex-
presHly for the purpose OF portrsyine
the features OF Washington, and this
picture was painted in PHILADELPHIA
| during the spring and summer OF 1896
Stuart brought with him O letter oil
introduction from John Jay, and he me,
Washington for the first time at one oi
the presidential receptions.
Although Stuart had been fsmiliarly
associated with royalty, and was accus-
toned to the nociety OF the highest cir
cles of the social world, he was entirely
overcome by the commanding presence
of the father OF his country.
This feeling seems to have lasted in
the eittings which Washington gave
him, for the portrait first painted was
30 unsatisfactory to the artist that he
destroyed it.
Subsequently Stuart recovered his
self possession in the presence of his
subject, for the Athepeum portrait
proved entirely satisfactory to the
artist, to Washington himeelf and TO all
who were familiar with his features.
Washington was so pleased with the
likeness that he told Stuart he would
cit for him again at any time.
Stuart much preferred the Athenaum
portrait, and he made many replicas of
it. usually finishing the background
aud coat, which were never finished in
the original.
There have been several explanations
Why this portrait was left unfinished,
but the following is probably the true
feason:
Stuart made several replicss OF thia
picture while it remained on his easel,
snd thus it was source OF considerable
income to him. Washington on finding
this to be the case, and knowing OF
Stuart's desire to retain the original,
consented to accept copy in Its place.
Stuart then had no reason for finishing
the picture. as he intended never to sell
it, believing 1t would be the most valu-
able legacy he could leave to his family,
and, furthermore, the painting of any
thing besides the face was task to him.
Neagle, the portrait painter, seeing it
in Stuart's studio in Boston, asked him
If he ever intended to finish it. He re-
piled that he did not, as he should leave
it as legacy TO his family, and he be-
lieved it would be far more valuable if
handed down as it was painted with
Washington before him.
On Stuart's death the picture was in
herited by his widow, and she sold it to
number OF Boston gentlemen who pre-.
sented it to the Athen@um. 1t is now
deposited for safe keeping in the Boston
Museum OF Fine Arts. where it hangs
in the Washington Allaton room, "the
noblest personifcstion of wisdom and
goodness reposing in the majesty OF
serene countenance that is to be found
on canvas"
OF the many portraits OF Washington
this is considered the most satisfactory
and authentic.
This beautiful copy. which is the only
TO our UhnI0rniG soUIeJy, cuus VI sn5
Revolution, and came last week directly
from Boston. and before being deposited
in the hall of the society 1t will be placed
upon exhibition in the window of
Laux's drug store, where the public
may have an opportunity of examin-
ing it.
The society has also been presented
with copy OF William Sartain's mezzo-
tint OF Conder's Washington and an
etching of Old Fraunce's Tavern, in the
long room of which Washington bsde
farewell to his generals at the oloeei
the revolution,