Evening star., 1924-06-29

House by Howard Chandler
Christy, has brought much
comment from those who have viewed
it. and 1t brings to mind the fact that
there are other first lady portraits"
In the historic mansion whose his
tories hold much of interest
On the main floor of the White
House, in the red room, hangs a
painting of Martha Washington, the
literal first lady Of the land" who,
it will be remembered, helped to plan
the home of the future Presidents,
but who is also the only wife of
President who never dwelt there.
This portrait was painted by Elipha-
let F. Andrews in 1878. and, being
made SO many years after the sub
ject's death, it is interesting to know
just how SO fine a likeness was OBJ
tanned.
When the artist accepted the COM
mission from the government for this
work he determined that time and
labor should not be spared in striving
for an ideal portrait. The head was
taken from an old miniature, the
original of a Gilbert Stuart, and the
reproduction is claimed by many to
be a creditable piece of work. The
dress Is Of handsome white brocaded
satin over a petticoat OF quilted old
rose silk, the overdress edged in point
lace. rose leaf pattern, and the grace
full train finished with fine knife
pleating. The bodice is pointed, with
round neck. and the sleeves are edged
with tiny frills of pleating and lace
that fall to the hand. The fine lace
cap that frames the face is bound by
a soft run, and q cloud Of white tulle
Is gracefully draped about the head
and shoulders. There are no jewels
This appropriate gown was made by
Worth from the best authorities on
style Of that period and was worn by
Mrs. Darling Of New York at the
centennial tea party of 1876" She
is supposed to have posed for the
figure of the portrait. For this pic
ture Congress paid Mr.. Andrews
$4,000. The portrait is not on view
to the general public, but hangs in a
somewhat obscure position to the left
OF the first Presidents portrait.
Il
EL1PHALET FRASER ANDREWS
was born in Stubenville, Ohio, June
II, 1885. Left an orphan at the age of
seven, he was carefully reared by
relatives. was educated at Kenyon
College and Marietta College, and
graduated from the latter as the
youngest student on the rolls. Show
ing marked talent for drawing, he was
sent to Dusseldorf, where he studied
for several years, taking courses in all
branches Of drawing. In 1874 he went
to Paris, studying with Bonnat, lead
ing artist Of the day. Returning to
America in 1877, he settled here in
Washington, and painted many por-
traits Of prominent people of that
time. He exhibited the portrait Of
Martha Washington. which hangs in
the Corcoran Art Gallery, and his
Little Leonie" and two portraits were
in 1876.
The portrait Of Dolly Madison, also
painted by Mr.. Andrews, is a splendid
reproduction Of the original painting
by Gilbert Stuart which still hangs in
the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine
Arts, in Philadelphia. The fame Of the
fair Dolly as mistress of the White
House will never die. Her personality
Is outstanding in the annals Of the
mansion, and the picture, which it is
claimed was made when she was but
thirty years of age, looks out at one
with a genial and rather piquant smile,
an expression that well reflects the
Impressions left by heresay. The figure
is only shown to the waist line, and
the dress Of white satin is very short
wasted, in keeping with the style of
that time. while a red scarf is thrown
about the shoulders. The hair is
parted, and the tiny curls, which cover
the we'll shaped head, are shown. This
portrait, which was presented to Mrs.
Taft when she was in the White House
by the Society of Virginia Colonial
Danes, hung in the library of the
White House until recently. when it
was moved to its present location,
downstairs in the White House.
Gilbert Stuart was born at Middle
port, near Newport, R l.. December
3, 1755. He painted his first portrait
when but thirteen years old. having
had no art instruction. In ITO he
won the friendship Of Cosmo Alexander
who took him to Scotland. where they
lived and studied together. After his
death Stuart was forced
to return to America on account of
financial adversities. and for a time
was obliged to make his living as an
orRanist, having been student of
music as we'll as painting. His meet
ing with Benjamin West. however,
with whom he went to live, brought
about a change in his fortunes, and he
soon thereafter began portrait paint
ing, executing commissions OF noted
persons in this country and abroad
In 1887 he went to Dublin, and he did
not return to America until 1892.
+ + + +
CTUARTS ambition was to paint
- George Washington. and in 1895
thiS wish was gratifed when he be-
gan his first portrait of the nrst
President, who was said to be the
only person in whose presence Stu
art found himself embarrassed. He
admired Washington with all the en-
thusiasm Of his warm artists tenn
perament Not satisfied with his first
portrait, the artist persuaded Wash
ington to sit again, and the result
was the head, "Athenaeum," on an
unfinished canvas showing the left
side of the face. This remains the
accepted likeness of Washington.
Later Stuart did a full-lenEth por-