The national Capitol; its architecture, art and history . y one in the four pictures wearing even a of the figures are stiff and unnatural, and the perspective is not alwaysof the best. The grouping, however, is good, and while the pictures do notin color, drawing, imagination or vitality approach the excellence reached byMeissonier, Detaille, Sargent, Dagnan-Bouveiet and other modern soldier andportrait painters, they compare favorably with the art of their own period andare creditable to the purposes of the artist. The Signing of the Declaration of Independence is the most gen
The national Capitol; its architecture, art and history . y one in the four pictures wearing even a of the figures are stiff and unnatural, and the perspective is not alwaysof the best. The grouping, however, is good, and while the pictures do notin color, drawing, imagination or vitality approach the excellence reached byMeissonier, Detaille, Sargent, Dagnan-Bouveiet and other modern soldier andportrait painters, they compare favorably with the art of their own period andare creditable to the purposes of the artist. The Signing of the Declaration of Independence is the most generallyadmired, as it is the most natural in tone and finish; after it, the Resignationof Washington. Perhaps the superiority of these interior scenes is somewhatattributable to the artists apparent want of skill in landscape painting,evinced by the backgrounds in the companion pictures. John Quincy Adams,in his diary of September i, 1818, written in New York, gives an interestingreflection in disparagement of the picture which is now best liked : Called. UJ z >•oo ai 03 < ai UJ Z ujo O ai UJ QZ UJ aiai CO 4a . 4Ht\ The National Capitol 109 about eleven oclock at Mr. Trumbulls house, and saw his picture of theDeclaration of Independence, which is now nearly finished. I cannot say Iwas disappointed in the execution of it, because my expectations were verylow; but the picture is immeasurably below the dignity of the subject. Itmay be said of Trumbulls talent as the Spaniards say of heroes who were braveon a certain day : he has painted good pictures. I think the old small picturefar superior to this large new one. He himself thinks otherwise. He hassome books on the Presidents table which the Abbe Correa advised him toletter on the backs, Locke and Sidney. I told him I thought that was not theplace for that. They were books for the members to read at home, but not totake with them there. I advised him to letter them simply Journals. Upon the completion of all the paintings
Size: 1320px × 1893px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, bookpublishernewyorkpressofjjli
