Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-09
FOR THE NAVAL ACADEMY.
Portrait of John Paul Jones From
Glass of 81.

The portrait of John Paul Jones which Is
to be presented to the Naval Academy
Monday by the class of 1881 arrived in this
city late yesterday afternoon. and was in
formally exhibited at the VeerhofT galleries
today 1t is the work of Miss Cecilia
Beaux of New York and Philadelphia. In
1T the intreDid naval hero is seen standing
upon the deck of his vessel. with his back
turned to the sea. his face slightly averted.
In his right hand he holds his glass, in his
left his black three-cornered hat. The uni
form. which has been accurately reDro-
duced, is of dark-coIored cloth with dull
red facings. and includes a white stock and
red waistcoat On his breast he wears the
medal OF inertia Maltese cross-suspended
by ribbon The portrait IS j three-quarter-
length and has been made exactly life size
There are In existence at least fifty-seven
alleged portraits of John Paul Jones' and
from the best of these Miss BeauX has pro-
duoed her picture. She has followed the
Houdon type. but has given il personal in
depreciation. His. II has been said. was the
greatest lighting face ever perpetua ted In
bronze or on canvas, and yet with the bull
dog cast of features went evidence OF
strong mentality and well-reguated feel
ing. The most pleasing and probably au-
thentic description OF the "Cheyalier's' an
pearance was given by Aimee de Telison
who was his devoted friend and who nursed
him during his last Illness and so closely
has Miss Beaux followed It's suggestions
that ii reads almost as a description OF her
work
"A man of about thlrty-eight years" she
wrote, five feet seven inches tall slender
in build. OF exquisteIy symmetrical form
HIS features are oellcately nodded, of claS-
sic cast. clear-cut, and, when animated, mo-
bile and expressive In the last degree but
when in repose sedate almost to melancholy.
His hair and eyebrows are black (mixed
with gray and his eyes are large, brilliant.
piercing and Of a peculiar dark gray tint
that at once changes to lustrous black
when he becomes earnest or animated. His
eyes are In fact his most remarkable feat
ure, and are the first 10 attract the atten-
ton OF those whose good or i'll, fortune 10
may be to come in contact with him. His
complexion is swarthy, almost Ike that OF
a Moor doubtless due to his having spent
the best part of his life at sea In tropical
voyages. His bearing Is that OF
complete ease perfect aplomb, and also
martial to the last degree"
Thus. indeed. Miss Beaux has portrayed
him. filing out and making tangible the in
depreciation by her own conception OF his
character and her own ability to set 1t
forth. 1t does not suggest a composite pic
ture nor a likeness produced from photo
graphs 1t is vital and strong. There is al
most as much character portrayed in the
hand which holds the glass as there Is In
the face 1t is broadly but not carelessly
painted. Nor has the decorative motive been
overlooked In its composition. Beyond the
blue sea- almost entirely obscuring the sky.
is dark storm cloud. and against this the
figure of the great navy man Is Sharply sil-
houetted. The light is vivid. and a ray or
sunshine has been made TO fall on the left
cheek and shoulder. The strength of the IN
dividual has been contrasted with the force
of the elements; their anger with his calm
II is dramatic without being hystertcal; pic
toriaI and yet not ovepdrawn. 1t has been
copyrighted by Miss Beaux. The President
and the Secretary of the Navy are poth' II
is understood. TO attend the presentation eA-
ercises and at the annual dinner OF the
alumni at the academy in the evening 1t Is
to be specially exhibited.