Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-02-10
THE BATTLE OF SAN JAClN1O.
EXHIBITION or THE FAMOUS
PAINTING OF M'ARDLE.
senator Ferry NccomDs Brilliant
grafton on tho Dattie-The Artist
Points out the historic Characters
in the Picture.


! Austin, TEX, rep. s.-McArule 3
| painting. "The Battle OF San Jacinto,"
was exhibited in the hall OF the house
OF representatives Thursday night 1t
was upon a special invitation rendered
the painter by the Texas legislature
that the famous war scenes on canvass
were exposed to the admlring gaze OF a
select audience composed OF the law
makers of Texas. the state officers,
! visitors to the city and the elite Of the
capital. 1.-THE Battle OF San Jacinto"
is the masterpiece, the browning effort
OF the gray-haired painter whose genius
has won the homage OF the art lovers
Of the state Seventeen years of his
life have been passed in the work, and
now his labors are ended. Hon
Thomas S. Smith presided and intro
duced the orator of the evening. SEN
ator Perry McComb His address,
roundly applauded at intervals, was as
follows.
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies' and Gentle
men. IL has not been contemplated
that any speech of the character and
dignity OF an Grafton would be expected
at this hour. on behalf OF consistent
lovers OF high art and Of the state, to
whom this great battle picture presents
the twu-fOld merit and charm of artis-
tic excellence and historic value. | am
requested to deliver here some brief eS-
preston Of gratitude to Prof McArdle
for Its generous exhibition In this pres
ence and of appreciation OF its per-
lection and grandeur as a work of art
ana Its worth and glory MS an illumi-
nation in Texas history. II Is n SPLEEN
did and eloquent vision OF his patriotic
genius transferred through a fifth of
century of artistic and heroic toll, TO
enduring canvas. In some degree. at
least, Il Is reflex OF the sentiment and
civilization Of the state. 1t is n maxim
Of the historians that in civilized ma
tons the fine arts develop and flourish
An proportion to the expansion of the
higher faculties of emotion and
thought. This, whether 1t be a deduc-
tion Of reason or a lesson OF the ages,
tinds impressive and fitting illustration
In the romantic and alluring story OF
the pencil, running from its Oldest and
crudest relics along the Nile. through
the dim tracery OF its rude touches,
among the ruder races Of men, and on
through the scroll OF its Hellenic splen-
doris To the marshalled glOries OF its
achievement in the galleries OF st. Pc
tersburg. In the Vatican and in the
Louvre. From the Pharos To Pericles
from the decline of Grecian excellence
to the splendor Of the Italian renals-
sauce, from the temples Of Apollo at
Delphi to the enhancing glories Of
modern palaces Of art, It's varying ro-
nance gladdens and pals with the all
ternaung sunshine and shadow Of hui
man history.
Art has been at once the exponent
ana the illumination Of the lOfliest
thought OF the nations. And II It be
the natural language of tie higher fac
ultles Of the mind, II Is, in turn, their
Inspiration, and everywhere and at all
times indicates the degree and tone Of
the Intellectual and moral life. The
Athenlan philosophers aud ideal CON
ceptions OF form and beauty found eN-
presslons In the paintings of Apollo
dorus. Parrhasus and Timanthes. The
dlsenthrallment OF thought and WIDEN
ing mental vision OF the sixteenth CEN
fury are signalized by the originality
ana grandeur of Angelo and the force.
harmony and sublimity OF Raphael.
Ihe eNtravagances Of LeBrun reflect
the luxurious vanity Of Louis XIV,
while a higher and brighter civilization
Is illumined by the immortal pencils OF
Nernet. Meissonler and Bonheur.
The history of civilization affords
ample portrayal of the educational
power and influence of the fine arts
among the thoughtful peoples Of the
earth, Their approach 10 higher de-
gTees Of perfection in the golden age
OF Greece was an inspiration to relir-
ious ana patriotic impulse and endeavor
ana was potent as a motive factor in
the crumbling Of Persian power Under
the great stimulus and moral magnet
Ism or It's mute and subtle. but poten-
val influence men 6spired to the nobier
aims OF NE and citizens OF wealth
sought less to exceed their neighbors in
the display Of personal ornamentatlon
aud private luxury than Ia cncouroee
ana promote philosophy, refinement.
rehsoh ana patriotism through paint
inGs. statues and monuments dedicated
10 The gods and TO public and private
virtue The vast extent Of the infiu
ence or the arts unon national life md
NhaIaeler Is attested by the great
works OF the pencil and tho chisel lefi
~ the best and brightest peoples who
nave lived. The history of those who
have been strangers to their refine.
mehis and Inspirations is q blending
OF shadows.
II IN a NEUROLOGICAL age the power
or the arts was made TO subserve tba
cause Of religion, IN an age OF reiig-
i9us, Intellectual and civil liberty il
ehoulu De employed 20 serve and pro-
mole the cause Of patriotism.
The generation whose statesman
snip Is forgetful OF great men and he.
roc achievements and buys no paint
ings ana erects no monuments. viii
pass into history under cloud. The
heroic period OF Texas history. rich i'm
dramatic action and glorious with The
aehleNements of heroes and patriots. Is
inviting to- the genius OF the artist.
The battle Of San Jacinto. one Of ire
great decisive battles OF history. COM
passing the hopes and destines of
crest people engaged in sublime
struggle, changed the course of West
ern empire and wldened the boundaries
OK civilization. The vision of that sub-
lime Held OF heroism which gave Texaa
TO liberty, to civilization and To hone
as preserved in this splendid work y,
me painter httingly displayed in the
halis OF this capitol. will have a no
tentlal and benefcent educational IN
nuenee upon the patriotism OF tba
present and succeeding generations ~
IeNans 1t presents 10 the eve nhssss
o. action and OF history beyond tbs
portrayal OF the written mage If A.,
general design, In perspectlye. in ara
matte action and in detail n rises -
sns beauty and subllmity OF truth 4,
10 not because urifsn. 100 -