The Washington times., 1907-07-14
GRANT PORTRAIT
SOUGHT BY SON
Will Inspect Historic Canvas
by Washington
Artist.

The travels OF Jesse r. Grant. the
youngest son Of former President Grant
about the country are now awakening
considerable interest among the pohncai
forces Of the Democracy. In this city
there is for one person-not politician
a lively interest in the journeying OF TINS
aspirant for Presidential honors- This
Is not based on the belief that the ele-
walton of Jesse X. Grant to the Presi-
Dental chair would mean any special
favor. but for the reason that Mr.. Grant
has stated in a recent letter his inten-
ton OF coming 10 Washington during the
present summer. and that on bis visit
to this city he will make an early call
upon the artist who painted portrait
Of Gen. u. S. Grant from eleven sittings
given by General Grant prior to the
election which placed him in the White
House.
On account OF this expected visit, the
artist, Miss Caroline L. Ransom, viii
not leave the city at her accustomed
time for her annual vacation IN Canada
In her studio IN F street there Is now on
exhibition privately a three-quarter
length portrait Of General Grant, painted
by Miss Ransom At a time when her
studio was IN the Colonization building
in Pennsylvania avenue. where the sit
tings were given by General Grant The
resulting portrait has remained since
that time in the possession OF the artist-
At the time Of the completion OF the
work. the interest in portraits in oil was
! exceedingly limited. as compared with
the interest OF today. General Grant
although a popular idol OF the people,
was still living, and no particular ehorI
was made 70 effect a sale. and In the
usual manner Of artists. the work was
/ neglected IN the demands In other direc-
| tons
! Miss Ransom has recently received
letter from Jesse r. Grant. in which ne
/ states that his attention has been called
TO this portrait Of his father by visitor
/ to the Pacific slope who has seen this
portrait as well as other portraits OF
! General Grant From the description
and comparison made OF this work, the
son mas become interested to, such an
/ extent that he intends 10 visit the artist
during the summer and inspect the por-
trait, and. II possible. add 10 his couec-
tion Of portraits Of General Grant AS
this portrait was made from life. and
the first portrait for which General
Grant favored any artist with sittings,
| the work has a special interest for the
collector.
Al the time when the portrait was
first considered, General Grant was not
disposed to give the necessary time re-
uuired for the sittings for the painting.
He would not have acceded TO the re-
quest of the artist II II had not been
for the influence of Mrs. Grant, who
| was present at the interview. and wher
| General Grant demurred. giving as ar
excuse his inability TO spare the reQuf
site time, Mrs. Grant came TO the res
cue of the artist by quietly suggesting
..Oh. YOU can find the time for THU
portrait, Ulyss'.''
Although General Grant favored tn
artist with eleven sittings, Miss Ran
som was anxious to fortify herself Wit
all possible data for the cOmDleu y .
the work, and persuaded General Gran
to allow photographs 10 be made BY
Brady, so that abundant material nigh
be at hand II needed 10 secure the bes
possible results. Accordingly, the art
ist made fourteen poses of Genera
Grant for Brady TO photograph, anC
this series of photographs comprises on
of the most Important historical serie
of portraits Of General Grant ever sc
cured by photography.
For some years Miss Ransom has bee
unable, on account Of a serious fractur
= of her right arm. to give the attention
, TO her painting which she has desired
: For several years she made annua
T vacations in Canada, selecting the Ca
T madam side of Niagara as her suTnme
home. During these vacations she mad
q large number Of sketches of Magyar
Falls and the rapids. Many OF thes
= sketches were made before the beaut
of the falls and the immensely of tn
cataract had been interfered with b
the engineering plans that resulted /
the conversion of a large amount @
water to the Canadian side for MANI
featuring purposes. During the pas
season she has been able to paint bU
little, but has managed in her disable
condition 20 paint small section {
j., the central portion Of Niagara, a pic
= ture Of high merit