Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-08

Representative Sol Bloom as
sociate director of the George
washington Bicentenial Commission, who con-
siders it his own most important personal gift
toward the impressive Nationwide celebration
next year. in the organization of which he has
taken leadership. He confidently expects that
the Oh1cial Portrait Committee which Is CO.
operating with the Bicentennial Commission
will approve it as a special official portrait
which Congress has authorized to be distributed
to every school room in the country. He bases
this conviction on the following facts:
1T is the first true Photographic portrait,
by the worlds most renowned photographer OF
sculpture and art objects of the famous Houdon
bust of washington, which Washington posed
for, approved and lived with for Is years and
which has never left Mount Vernon.
1.-THE great Chief Justice John Marshall, who
knew washington intimately in the flesh, re-
corded that If this bust was turned 10 degrees
of center to the right, one would get true
INSTALLATION of Washington as he knew him.
when the Portrait Committee Of the George
Washington Bicentennial Commission visited the
Metropolitan Museum in New York recently to
examine the Washington portraits and bustS
in that institution, Mr.. Kent, the curator, told
them: There is nothing at all comparable to
the likeness of that bust by Houdon. If there
might only be Photographic views Of that bust
by a gentleman who is renowned a pho
tographer of sculpture and occupies the fore
most rank in that profession, think you would
fore enjoyed
Learning that the photographer referred to
was in New York and apprehenSive that the
opportunity might never again be had of Sc
curing the services of this wonderful camera
artist, engaged him and arranged with Col.
Harrison H. Dodge, who is one of the greatest
authorities on Washington, superintendent of
Mount Vernon for many years and member
of our Portrait Committee, for permission to
take the portrait of the Houdon bust at Mount
Vernon.
THE portrait was made by Arthur Jaffe Of
Vienna. We spent entire day at Mount
Vernon, so as to get true copy under the
best conditions. 1t is the first real photograph
ever made OF this bust"
A SSOCIATE DIRECTOR BLOOMS selection
of this particular likeness as "the best"
eliminates worldwide search in the course
of which he has assembled more than 1000
copies of pictures in which Washington APP
pears, and includes careful expert study Of
some so portraits of George Washington be-
lieved to have been made from life, with some
of the most distinguished artists of his time
granted sittings. Well executed copies Of all
If these now adorn the walls of the Bicentennial
Commissions headquarters here.
Col. Dodge was greatly pleased with the
Jaffe portrait photographs Of the Houdon bust
and wrote to Mr.. Bloom They present an
impression of our great chief so truly life
like and commanding in pose and expression
as to far surpass any painted portrait of him
that I have ever seen. You have my fervent
congratulations and thanks for bringing about
this wonderful accomplishment"
The Advisory Committee on the official por-
trait consists of DR.. Leicester P. Holland, chief
Of the division of fine arts, Library of Congress;
DR.. Charles Moore, chairman of the Commits
sion Of Fine Arts DR.. John c. Fitzpatrick, au-
thor and distinguished compiler of the writings
of George Washington; Ezra Winter of New
York, celebrated portrait painter and critic;
Carl Melcher, also one Of the best known
painters Of the present day; Col Dodge life
long student of Washingtoniana, and DR.. AL
bert Bushnell Hart, historian of the George
Washington Bicentennial Commission.
The story of the Houdon bust is told by Col.
Dodge as follows:
Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson
became jointly interested in a project to have
made for the city Capitol at Richmond mar
BILE statue of Gen. Washington 1t was to be
the most exact likeness of him procurable.
They studied for some time over who might be
the most reliable and most proficient sculptor.
It was decided that there COM
parable to the then famed French sculptor,
Houdon Arrangements were made finally, and
after much difficulty, with this sculptor to come
to America for that purpose.
An interesting fact in this connection Is that
Houdon refused point blank to come unless he
was fully insured n toonly for his life, but for
his business losses in leaving his country for
that length of time.
Washington was at Mount Vernon and was
advised of the fact that he might expect q
visit from this artist. Gen. Washington'S diary