The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-18

remarkable success in portraiture. and he
often called upon him for assistance IN
this direction. Stuart attended lectures Dy
Sir Joshua Reynolds, studied anatomy IN
der a celebrated doctor, drawing during the
evening in the life school, and painting with
West, who was so July employed that ne
could not complete the works he had un-
~dertaken, so fast were they required.
SET UP FOR HIMSELF.
Upon the advice Of a Mr.. Danse. one of
the founders of the Royal Academy, and
a noted man in art matters of the time,
Stuart took rooms on his own account, but
before leaving Vests roof painted a num-
Der of portraits which brought him fame.
Stuart began his career as a portrait paint
er in setting up a studio of his W in l7S0,
paying e15O a year for it's rent.
West and Sir Joshua Reynolds had sat
TO Stuart, and this fact had brought him
into great notice. At this time his prices
were but second to Reynolds and Gains
borough. For a time money rolled in plenti-
fully, which Stuart spent lavishly, never
giving heed to the morrow and living IN lux
urious style. Sitters were waiting their
turn and ready to pay whatever he de
manded. Surrounded by his friends, given
the opportunity TO display his remarkable
Conversations powers, there existed every
thing 10 conduce to his comfort.
In conversation and CONTEMPLATION ne
was the equal of any man among u.s. SAID
a contemporary, and he made a point OF
keeping those talking who sat 10 MIN III
order to make them free and easy. rms
called up his resources of judgment. TO a
military man he spoke of battles; 10 a
statesman, of history; with lawyers, on
jurisprudence; with every man in his way,
and with ladies in all ways.
Stuart taxed himself to six sitters a day,
and these done he took a walk, went nome
TO dinner where he was surrounded py
friends of talent and all varieties of pro
fessiOnal life. He had not been long estab-
lished, when he married Miss Charlotte
4 Goats daughter of Doctor Coats OF RRTK-
shire, England. They were married May
10, lS6. She was very attractive, but her
chief charm in Stuarts eyes was her sing
ing, Tor she possessed a remarkable voice
In 17S6 Stuart being financially embarrassed,
! went to Ireland, where he had many orders
for portraits from distinguished people, and
where he was most Hospitality entertained.
The cordiality of the people suited his con-
Vivial tastes, which, however, were a
serious drain upon his finances. He located
himself at a small place in the vicinity or
Dublin where the gentlemen of the sur
rounding neighborhood constituted his prin-
cipal society. But in spite of the fact that
he was we'll employed, Stuart became un-
easy and dissatisfied, for the fact of the
matter was that he longed for his native
land, and, moreover, he had an intense de-
sire TO paint the portrait of Washington.
This last wish absorbed all his thoughts,
and taking a sudden determination he
threw over all his numerous engagements
in Ireland and sailed direct from Dublin,
though he had promised to return to Eng
land to fill a number of orders awaiting
AAAAAs NNd AAAt III 4NCW u III 4fV-
and received a most cordial welcome from
his cOuntrymen. He had gone abroad a
poor youth to win his way in the world,
and had come back a painter without an
equal in America. He first located in Stone
street, New York, and soon it was known
that he was ready TO receive %sitters. His
commissions were numerous, plenty Of
money was at his command and as long
as the day was provided for he cared little
for the future. Only in his old age did he
see the folly of his prime.
a COMMISSION DECLINED.
! Soon after his arrival he received a re-
quest from Halifax to paint a portrait of
the Duke of Kent, father of Queen Victoria,
and a ship of war was placed at his serv-
fee, but the sole wish that Stuart possessed
was to paint the portrait of Washington,
J and. fortunately FOR us, he declined the fiat
tering request.
while Congress was in session in Phil
adelphia. in 1874. Stuart went thither with
a letter of introduction to Washington
from John Jay. He first met his illustrious
subject on a reception evening and was
| spontaneously greeted by Washington with
dignifed rbanity. Familiar as was the
painter witt eminent men, he afterward
declared that no human being ever awak-
ened in him the sentiment of reverence to
such a degree. For a moment he lost his
self-possesSion-with him a most unusual
eXperience-and II was not until after sew
eral interviews that he felt himself enough
at home with his sitter to give the requisite
concentration of mind to his work. This
was owing not less to the personal impress
siVeneSs of Washington, which all who
came in contact with him felt and acknowl-
edged, than to the profound respect and
deep interest which the long a~nticipations
of the artist had fostered in his own
mind"
in Philadelphia, and the home where he
had his painting room is still standing at
the corner of Fifth and Chestnut streets.
The first attempt was not successful, but
the second trial gave us what is called the
Athenaeum portrait and proved entirely
satisfactory TO the artist, to Washington
himself and to all who were familiar with
his features. So pleased was Washington
with the likeness that he said to Stuart
he would sit to him again at
as the highest praise, from a man
whose natural modesty made sitting a task.
Stuart made many replicas OF this por-
trait, usually finishing the background
ished in the original. There have been sew
eral explanations given OF why the portrait
was left unfinished. of which the most prob
able is the following: stuart was making
replicas of this portrait while 1t was yet
on his easel, and in this way 1t was a
washington. on finding this to be the case,
and knowing of Stuart's desire to retain
the original, consented TO accept a replica
in it's place.
Stuart then had no reason for finishing
the picture, as he intended never to sell
it. believing it would be the most valuable
legacy he could leave to his family. Fur
thermore, he was never interested in paint
ing more than the face itself. The paint
ing of everything else in a portrait was a
task to him.
On Stuart's death the picture was in
herited by his widow and was sold by her
to a number of gentlemen who subscribed
for the purchase of it, and was presented
by them to the Boston Athenaeum, and it
is from it's present owner the picture takes
it's name. 1t is deposited for safe keeping
in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.
Gilbert Stuart removed to Boston in 1905,
and died there June q, 1928, in the seventy
second year Of his age. He was buried in
the old Central Burying Ground on Boston
Common, and until very recently his last
resting place was unmarked. A few years
ago the Paint and Clay Club caused n
bronze palette suitably inscribed to be
placed upon the iron railing above his tomb.
WALTER GILMAN PAGE.