Evening star., 1918-02-24
William Whittredge, AfterWard
President of National Acad-
emy, Posed for Washington.
MAN PULLING STERN OAR
LOOKS TO BE A GERMAN
Father of E. J. Stellwagen Said to
Be One of Those in Scene Paint
ed on Delaware River"

sary to paint this picture second time.
After the first had been injured by fire
the insurance companies which had
paid for the loss commissioned Leutze
to restore and finish it. This painting
is perhaps still in Germany 1t was in
Bremen in 1914. Goupil made a fortune
out Of it.
THE fire referred to occurred when
the studio was struck by lightning. The
second picture was brought to America
and is now in New York"
Some OF the points of difference noted
waen photographs of both are held side by
side are as follows: In the earlier picture
the boat is nearer the right hand margin;
in the later the artist placed it more
nearly in the center. There is noticeable
difference in the size. shape and arrange
ment OF the Ice fragments. In the earlier
picture the negro rowing bow oar is bare
headed; in the later he wears a broad hat.
In the second painting bayonets have been
added to the rifles held by some Of the
soldiers. The later picture bears one ad-
ditional figure on the adjoining ice pan.
Is Most Famous Work.
the artist Leutze, of which this is the most
famous. with never-failing demand for
the reproductions thereof. Westward Ho!"
In the Capitol is another large and inter-
nationally known canvas. The only other
goyernment-owned painting here is the
Signing Of the Alaska Treaty" which
hangs in the Department of State. The
artist was born in Wurttemburg, but came
to America when a small child. Here he
became imbued with an intense sense of
patriotism, which resulted in his pre-
dilection for painting American historical
incidents.
The artist was to have received $50, 900
for his WESTWARD Ho." but when 1t was
the civil war. and the committee in charge
paid him but $4,000. with the request
that he wait until times were better for
the balance. Mr.. Leutze promptly and
patriotically wrote receipt for the full
sum Of the contract price. saying that he
would make the $4,000 his contribution
to the war chest. The incident was re-
lated to President Lincoln. who sent for
the artist and suggested that perhaps one
Of his sons might be- willing to go to West
that Eugene H. Leutze became a sailor.
He served in the civil war and a few
years ago was commandant of the Wash
ington navy yard.
interesting relics Of his father, of other
fgamous men and of his many cruises in
all parts of the world. These include sev-
eral original paintings by the father. one
trait of the present naval officer at the
age of three years. He is prophetically
shown seated on the floor, playing with
the folds Of the American Flag, and be-
side him is a toy ship.
Son of Original Model.
Another side light on the production of
this masterpiece by Leutze is given by
Edward ]. Stellwagen of this city. son
Of one Of the original models. While 1t
may not agree entirely with Admiral
Leutze's recollection, it gives added refu-
tation of any theory that a German posed
as the Father of His Country.
I'm my fathers studio ever since can
remember says Mr.. Stellwagen. there
was a plaster cast or mask Of the face
fngton, which, after my fathers death. l
gave to the Corcoran Gallery Of Art,
where think it now is.
Il was always told that this was made
from the death mask of Washington by a
celebrated sculptor or artist and that 1t
was used by Leutze in painting the face
and head Of Washington. My recollec-
ton Of this Is most pointed"
The elder Stellwagen lived to an ad-
vanced age and was known personally to
thousands Of Washingtonians. He died
only decade or more ago. Among his
effects were several beautiful examples of
Leutze's skill in portraiture which was
as remarkable as that shown in his large
historical canvaSes. When the painting
Of Washington crossing the Delaware
which is now in this country was ready
to be shipped the face of the canvas was
heavily smeared with many pounds of
butter for protective purposes In order
that a skilled artist might remove this
coating the picture was consigned to Mr.
stellwagen here and he personally per
formed this delicate and important work