Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-31
MIR. NEHLiG's POCAHONTAs.
The Masterpiece of Art i'm the Post
building.
lYVashington Postl

Every person entering the Post building
looks over the counter in the business
Office at the magnificent painting OF "Po-
cahontas and John Smith" II the person
is a stranger and sees the picture for the
first time, there Is always pause, and
then begins an analytical study of the
painting. which appeals strongly TO the
eye and feeling
1t is conceded to be masterpiece, and
excites admiration in the minds of every
one. critic or novice.
The painting is the work OF Victor
Nehlig. a German. who spent the greater
portion of his life in America. 1t was
painted in 1859, and was the result of
n. se years labor. The incident upon
which the painting il founded is the
saving of the life of Captain John Smith
by the Indian princess, Pocahontas.
The subject is strikingly and strongly
depicted, the figures being life-like in
expression and action, and there is
probably no picture extant which has
greater warmth Of cOloring The rude
yet striking interior of the Indian chiefs
council chamber, flooded with the rudy
glow of the wood fires; the group of
swarthy figures, true to the historical
conception Of the early and noble Indians
is faithfully delineated. Captain John
Smith is the central figure. He is clothed
in the garb Of the first explorers
so forming a striking contrast to the
surrounding figures He lies bound over
a wooden block. and bent nearly double.
His eyes are fixed in Mortified expression
upon his executoner, who, with up
lifted arm, is about TO bring with terrific
force the descending battle-sx upon
his barred and thrown back head.
At this immediate juncture the best be-
loved daughter of King Powhatan springs
forward, and, clasping her arms about
the neck of the helpless explorer,
stands between him and death.
All the intense effects of this dramatic
Incident are brought out in vivid man.
ner. The bound and pathetically appeal
ing figure of John Smith. bent in a tor
turing manner over the book, the keenly
active figure OF Pocahontas, clad in the
dress OF her race and time, with a PAN
Their skin slung over her left arm,
which rests upon the breast of the
captured Englishman. and with her other
arm extending In commanding gesture,
which, with her eyes says: stop" She
seems 10 have sprung before the eyes
of the astonished chief and his council
Every figure seems sentient with wonder
and curiosity. The chieftains scowl in
anger, the maidens lean forward IN
sympathy, the women peer in curiosity,
and the children are stirred with wonder
and awe. Powhatan is rising from his
seat, imparting the finest actional spirit
to the conception.
This wonderful painting gained the
commentator OF the critics, and those I'm
charge Of the awards at the Worlds
Fair. where IL received the highest
award.
Victor Nehlig. the artist devoted his
life 10 historical canvases. He was born
OF German parents, IN Paris. in 1898 and
came to this country when a young man.
'Pocahontas and John Smith" was paint
ed in the prime Of life, and is his master
piece. Among other great works by
Nehlig are "The Battle Of Gettysburg"
In the collection Of the Historical Society
OF New York. and paul before Agrippa."
which is In the Astor collection His |
'Hiawatha' was for many years In
the collection Of Mr.. Chaplin. OF
Brooklyn.