Evening star., 1932-02-21

bust of Washington is an unmista kable likeness,
but it is something more. 1t interprets the
man; it makes of Washington something
greater than the stereotyped hero; a character
full personality. capable of leadership, Of de-
termination, high purpose, far seeing, ideals,
one who could lead an army, establish nation,
conduct an estate, q man among men, worthy
of being a national hero, of veneration and Of
foremost place in history.
This is great patriotic service the part
of the artist and it is to be hoped that eventu-
ally the Bush Brown bust of Washington will
find permanent placement in some public col
lection in this National City.
DORTRAITS of Washington are to be seen on
every side today. An excellent reproduce
ton Of the Gilbert Stuart Athenaeum portrait
has been made and distributed by order of the
Bicentennial Committee. There are Washing
ton plates reproducing not only portraits Of
Washington, but scenes in Washingtons life
which in some future time will undoubtedly
take their place among rarities of historic in
terest. But not dependent here solely
upon these reproductions, for in the Capitol
the National Gallery, the Corcoran Gallery Of
Art and other institutions are a number Of
original portraits of Washington by the great
painters of his day.
Charles E. Fairman. in his catalogue of works
OF ART IN the OulCcO SIateS Capitol buLOlIlS
published originally in 1913, and since re-
printed. lists two portraits of Washington by
Gilbert Stuart, who, it will be remembered,
returned to this country from a successful
in England and Ireland for the sole
purpose of painting Washington. Achieving his
purpose, he made two, perhaps three, studies
from life and Of these produced many replicas
Stuarts portraits of Washington. however fall
into two categories, the so-called Athenaeum
portrait now owned by the Boston Museum OF
Fine Arts, and the Lansdowne type, of which
the portrait Of Washington in the Frick COL
lection, New York. is an excellent example
For this portrait, incidentally, Mr. Prick paid
$6O0OO
Besides these stuarts, there are in the Capt.
tol collection portraits of Washington by
Charles Wilson PeAle and by Rembrandt Peale,
father and son. the former born in Chester
town, Md, in Aprn, 1741, the latter born in
Pennsylvania in 1778.
In the rotunda Of the Capitol there are, 1t
will be remembered the illustrative paintings
by John Trumbull, at one time aide de camp
of Washington. in several of which Washington
figures prominently. The last of this series
is of Washington resigning his commission.
In the Capitol collection, further, is full
length portrait Of Washington by John Van
Derlyn pupil Of Gilbert Stuart and friend
and protege Of Aaron BURR, who was born
the year that the Declaration of Independence
signed and lived until 1852, winning for
himself enviahle reputation as a painter.
In Statuary Hall is a replica of the Houdon
statue in Richmond made by special permission
of the Legislature Of Virginia and placed in
Statuary Hall as one Of Virgnia's most eminent
citizens. There Is also at the Capitol a por-
trait bust of Washington In bronze by Pierre
Jean David Dangers, replica of bust done
in France under the occasional suggestion Of
Lafayette. .
That another replica of the Houdon statue,
cast in bronze, has been made by permission
and become the property of the George WASH
ington University in this city is not generally
known This statue with appropriate setting
of foliage, now stands in the open court back
of Stockton HaIl-an appropriate possession
and placement by the university which bears
the great mans name.
The National Gallery of Art does not possess
in its own right portraits of George Washing
ton, but it is fortunate in having on loan
portrait by Charles Wilson Peale, lent by John
S. Beck by Rembrandt Peale, occasionally
lent by Charles S. Han1lin of the Federal Re
serve Board, and by c. Polk, lent by Mrs
George j. Park, well as a full-length por-
trait-posSibly an original and possibly rep
lica made many years ago-of the we'll known
full-length by Gilbert Stuart, showing Wash
ington standing beside table, as having lately
risen from a great chair. This last portrait
belongs to the Supreme Court of the District
of Columbia, by which it is indefinitely lent
to the National Gallery.
The Corcoran Gallery Of Art is fortunate in
owning a portrait of Washington by Gilbert
Stuart, which was originally the property of
Col. John Tayloe Of Mount Airy. Stuart
brought this portrait with him when he came
to Washington to paint President jefferson and
his cabinet. It was then purchased from him
.4s..t-s,