The majority of the portraits could hardly be improved.
O. O. Howard, Major-General.
I know personally a large majority of the persons represented, and take pleasure in bearing my testimony to the singular fidelity of their portraits.
Ira Harris, United States Senator.
EXTRACT FROM A CRITICISM.
[From the Washington Sunday Herald.]
Washington, March 31, 1867.
A great picture has been designed of the "Last Hours of Abraham Lincoln." The designer is Mr. John B. Bachelder, the painter Alonzo Chappel. * * The value of such a picture of such a scene is enormous, and of a kind to ever increase with time. * * Looking like himself, from his finger-nails to his hard, protruding lip, Stanton, with paper and pencil in hand, and uplifted forefinger, is giving instructions to the soldierly General Auger, the then Military Commander of the District. * * Portraits so minutely like I have never seen, even from the brush of Elliot. * * *
The grandeur in the face of Lincoln, is grand indeed. The cold hues of death are warmed to the eye by the red rays of a candle held over him, and the flickering flare causing a Rembrandt-like effect, is very felicitously managed. The eye rests in love and pity on it, turning from those around impatiently. * * *