Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-28
Portrait Exemplifies
Spirit of America
Chester Harding Canvas, a Recent Loan
To the National Gallery, Considered
Outstanding Work of Art

teacher, and made the proverbial
excellent artists wife.
At the time of his marriage Ches-
ter Harding could scarcely read or
write, having in early boyhood
learned just enough to spell out
passages in the Bible and meet i'm
mediate needs. It was his wife who
opened up to him the rich field of
English literature. He was quick
to learn and appreciate. This
broadening experience took place in
Pittsburgh. whence, after having
made a failure tavern-keeping in
Caledonia. he and his wife with
their first child had gone seeking
better employment.
1t was in Pittsburgh also that he
took up sign painting and, through
chance meeting with an itinerant
artist. first tried his hand at por-
traiture, at which. to his own great
surprise, he proved adept. Portrait
painting was then quite in vogue,
there being no photography, and
having heard from his brother, who
had gone from Caledonia to Paris.
Ky. that there was opportunity in
this profession there. the Hardinrs
moved once more. and in this little
city Chester Harding's career as
painter of portraits began--a career
which from first to last was sue
cessful.
In Paris. KY, within a compare
lively short time. he painted. to
order, 100 portraits at $25 each-a
price so high that his conscience
was at times troubled But of the
worth of the work he had no doubt,
until he saw better, so that each
step meant advance. Luckily sue
cess did not turn his head and,
although he always referred to por-
trait pointing as business or trade,
he held it in high esteem and ever
strove for greater proficiency.
1t was this desire that prompted
him TO use some Of the money
earned in Kentucky for tro to
Phile delphia and two months study
in the Pennsylvo MIA Academy. Here
he Est saw good paintings. such
as the portraits by Gilbert Stuart
and his contemporaries An entry
in his journal of that period states
that after seeing these masters
works his own did not look as good
to him as they had He was with
out conceit; honest with himself
as with others
Winter in Washiugfon.
The winter of 1922 Harding
spent in Washington. full of bust
ness" with many prominent in ma
tional life sitting to him. His price
had been then doubled. but he
seems to have had no further
nua'ms of conscience. Later in Bos-
ton his success was am9zing-o orders
given lon" in advance end moro
thon Plentiful. Without any effort
on his Part this bacl-WoOds pa inter
far exceeded at that time Gilbert
Stuart in popularity.
Then came thu trip to England.
chrOniCled in RlackWOOds maya
zine, where he met with royal favor.
as well as professional good will,
and found much to do. The tall
artist from Kentucky Che was 6 feet
inches in height made friends
wherever he went. despite his in
/ experience in society and his innate
shyness, To remain in London, as
he was urged, with all the delights
/ and opportunities it offered. must
| have hcen sore temptation-bu
/ one which vas resisted L am an
/ American" he said, and that is
what I wish to remain"
After returning TO this country
Harding established himself, first in
Boston, then in Springfield, Mass;
but he travelled extensively. During
/ the greater part Of the winters of
%, 30 and 48 he was in Washington.
On one Of these sojourns he painted
not only Chief Justice Marshall but
all the justices of the Supreme
Court, Also Clay and Webster and
many others. He was a rapid work
man and is said to have only re-
CURED five sittings for a portrait
head.
Portrait Of Laurence.
1t was undoubtedly in Boston
about 1880 that the portrait of Amos
Lawrence was painted That he
himself thought this the best por-
trait he had ever painted he has
recorded-as we'll as his indebted
ness to the Lawrence family for
generous patronage
This is a large canvas showing
his subject seated TAT full lengthD
and after he had become invaded.
He wears wrapper of many cOlOrs
and in pattern reminding of Paisley
Weaves, slippers and a skull cap
A window at the rear with heavy
drapery and classic column gives In