Gilpin observer., 1913-02-20

different artists a full decimo of statues, and
hundreds of pen and shadow pictures in the
collection Of Washington faces now scattered
throughout the libraries. museums, and private
collections Of this country" writes DR.. Bernard j.
Cigrand, director of the Chicago public library:
Besides these varied originals have been the
foundation of many hundreds of famous copies
not counting the nearly 400 different engravings
formed from these sketches from life-in all
making thelargest assortment of likenesses made
of any human being and representing the prog
ress Of the art of painting and sculpture, as well
as engraving, since the year 1772 down to this
present day.
THE entire time which he must have spent
before the critical eyes of these famous artists,
If summed up. would doubtless reach at least
full month. and while his personality has been
caught in its great varieties of moods. yet the
complex physiognomy has been deduced to five
basic faces which are standard relates to age
character and physical-formation.
The first among these Washington faces IL
the one produced by Charles Wilson Peale, who
at the invitation of Washington called at Mount
Vernon and painted the first portrait of the emil
nent Virginian; this begun May 90 1772,
when Washington was 40 years of age This pic
ture is especially interesting since 1t is the ear
lest reproduction of the face and form Of Wash.
ington He paid Peale about 800, and during
the remainder of his career Peale painted eight
more from life the dates being 1772, TT. TO- "a,
s5. 's7. '94. and '95. These studies are practi-
cally all recognized as worthy of the artist and
the man.
THE for independence was Just ended and
the treaty Of peace signed when the state of Vir-
ginia engaged In the discussion as to how 1t
could befttingly recognize the public service Of
Washington, one of its native and loyal sons.
After variety of propositions had been disposed
of the legislature finally voted that a statue Of
him should be erected In his honor.
Benjamin Harrison was the governor at the
time and was personally intrusted by the legis-
ature to execute the wishes Of the resolution
m nj ali fn lgrx. T.Ap1
who were in Paris. to engage the best sculptor
OF all Europe; the governor also called attention
to the fact that he had ordered Mr.. Peale to
make fullsized painting of the general and
this he would forward a model for the sculp-
tor. Franklin and Jefferson not long in
selecting the artist. He a Frenchman by the
name Of Jean Antoine Houdon.
When he was informed OF the oil painting
project he Immediately objected saying that II
Virginia wanted living likeness of Washington
he must have his own way as to arriving at the
product; that would mean that he must cross the
Atlantic. visit with Washington and carefully
model the face from the living. take impressions
and casts, and laboring along exact rather than
impressional lines. This was quickly agreed to
by Franklin and Jefferson. but the terms of the
affair were difficult to arrange.
'The short, Industrious artist was In no great
hurry to leave gay Paris for the wlds Of Virginia.
about one year before he set sail He perchance
came across with Franklin who, on arriving,
wrote a letter Of introduction to Washington
THE Houdon statue has been accepted as the
nearest true physical reproduction possess
OF the great commander. Peale and the
critical Stuart admit this. and the virginians
never grow tired Of what Stuart said: "It is the
head Of Washington par excellence" Additional
testimony Of the truthfulness OF the Houdon
statue dates to 1860 (Feb. 22). when the congres.
sional committee after diligent and lengthy dis.
cussion accepted It as the standard Washington
for busts medals and coins
The military Washington we get in the John
Trumbull picture. which has caught the daring
and dashing element of the war general Trum.
bull did everything with the greatest possible
exactness. and every detail in the painting is
from life and from nature The horse and the
backgrousd are the result of standings and poses
and, represent world OF detail When II was
completed in 1890 Washington was In New York
and the executive mansion the scene OF an
interesting pictorial arrangement at the suggss-