The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-08
A CHARMING PICTURE.
Rare Escape from Disaster ola Paint
ing of Gen. Il. =. Lee.

One OF the most interesting OF the
many admirable pictures that adorn the
Lee Camp Hail. on Broad street. came
near suffering serious injury on yes
terday morning. 10 is very large pic
ture. I'm pOrdCTOus frame, and was as
fl would seem, insecurity fastened 20 the
wall Some sudden movement or oscll-
lation loosened the fastenings OF the
frame and 10 fell forward on the rows of
chairs I'm ifs front. There was imml-
nent danger Of absolute obstruction, but
even the ordinarily insensate chairs
seemed for the moment conscious Of the
occasion. for 10 was picture OF General
Robert Il. Lee and these dumb warders
on whom the picture fell refrained from
piercing the canvass or inilcting any
injury on the image OF the beloved chief
tain.
1t is surprising that this charming pic
ture has not attracted more attention
and n wider admiration. for II is UNI
questionably a most notable work Of art
In realistic verisimilitude. and especially
I'm tender touch Of the pathetic, II sur
passes any Ike work Of art with which
we are familiar. Tho representation IS
that Of General Lee aa he turned his
face towards his Richmand home after
: the sad words of parting at AppomattoX.
several of his staff officers. have gone be-
fore. and reached the place Of biyouac
for the night. A storm that recently
swept over the plain had left many large
trees PROSTATE in it's path and among
, these "a sturdy oak had been uproOted
and had fallen across the road As though
IMPRESSED by the ideas suggested by the
storm and the fallen oak Lee is repre-
scented as seated on the body Of tree
in a reclining attitude and immersed in
meditation. The soft light of the ro5eate
sky falls upon the mournful face or the
detected chioftain and yet it casts no
shadow His faithful war horse TRAY
ellcr" Just stripped of his saddle. has
come ND 20 where the chief is seated, and
with head submitting 10 the carcss OF
his master, seems to testify his love and
sympathy.
The scene recalls a tender page in the
history Of Edmund Burke. When his
gifted SON. his only son. died. the heart,
the hope. the life Of the great statesman
went out I'm gloom and night. Nothing
could recall him to o lively interest IN
momcntous matters Of the present. real
world The story is that upon going into
the rasture where the riding horse Of
his good son was grazing the intelligent
animal. seemingly taking in the sad situa-
ton. came mp and laid his head uDon
the shoulder OF Burke. whcTeupOn that
greatest Of English intellects next % Ba-
con. lost control Of his feelings ans
wept aloud I'm anguish
This picture OF Lee after the surrender
IS according to the most approved ant
artistic criticism. one Of the very finest
productions of modern American genius
Ii Is truly a delightful picture. II the eX-
preston can be appropriately employed
I'm connection with the mortal sadness
and melancholy that filed the soul Of
Lee at the surrender of his noble army
The chief feature of merit I'm this ad-
mirable picture is that indehnable thing
which the artists describe as "atmos-
phere." II IS the ethereal drapery that
envelops the picture Ike a dream Of de-
llght. II is that metaphor Of the poet
Wordsworth.
"The light that never was on land or
sea.
The conservation an" the poets dream
This ethereal light, the light that never
was on land or sea. the conservation and
the poet's dream. surrounds and embaims
this beautiful picture.
II Is surprising that there IS not a
clamorous demand for this most charm
ing representation Of our great Confed-
crate chioftaln.