Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-14

by DIR. George Reuling of Baltimore. 1t
represents the commander-in-chief OF the
continental army standing. in uniform,
beside a small cannon on which he rests
his left hand. In his right hand. which
is placed on his hip, is his three-cornered
hat, and across his breast is the blue
sash ribbon which was the insignia OF his
rank British standards are on the
ground at his feet and at the upper part
of the canvas. drawn back like a curtain,
is a blue American flag. landscape
forms the background. and in the remote
distance one may discern some troops
marching and building, readily to be
identified as old Nassau Hall at Prince
ton.
This portrait belonged at one time to
Gen. Lafayette. and was purchased at
the sale of his effects at La Grange,
France. by Mon. Marsiile. a collector of
Paris. After Mon. Marshes death in
1851 the portrait was bought by M. Du-
hamel who brought it to America the
following year. At the Duhamel sale the
painting was secured by Judge I1ssot OF
New Orleans, from whose estate the pres
ent owner acquired 1t. 1t is supposed to
have been a present from Gen. WASH
ington to Gen. Lafayette, but this Is by
no means certain. In the Duhamel cata-
logue 1t Is stated that 1t was gift from
washington TO LOUIS AS1, Dy WHoIu IL
was in turn presented to Lafayette, which
seems exceedingly improbable.
1t was the custom in those days. and
especially in America. for painter to
make many copies, or repllcas, OF MS
successful portraits, and in the instance
Of the present portrait this was undoubt-
edly done. There are several renditions
of this subject almost identical in every
respect. all Of which are conceded to
have been the work of Charles Wilson
Peale. Which was the original is not
positively known, nor does 1t greatly mat
ter
One of these portraits. and one Of the
best, if not the best. was discovered by
chance few years ago In private owner
ship in Dublin. According to afiidavits. it
belonged originally to Joseph Wilson.
wealthy merchant OF Phiiadeipnla and at
enc time aid-de-camp to Washington,
who owned large properties in Ireland.
and, upon returning to his native land
was made consul to the United States.
The tradition in the family was that the
painting had been presented to Joseph
Wilson by Gen Washington. who had it
painted for him. Certainly the picture
was highly priced. and for three genera
son. From the great-grandson 1t was Sc
cured by Charles A. Mum Of New York,
in whose possession it is at present.
The existence and absolute authenticity
of this portrait lends interest and throws
light upon the one recently loaned to the
National Gallery. The former is larger
canvas than the latter. and leads to the
belief that the portrait owned by DR..
Keuling has at some time in its history
been cut down to fit a frame or panel of
less dimensions than was the original in
tention. For instance, in the Dublin por-
trait, to the right of the general, appears
an orderly holding horse. while in the
"Lafayette' portrait but a portion of the
horses head and the mans arm are seen.
That the artist would not have deliber-
ately painted only the arm stands to rea-
son. Furthermore in the Dublin portrait