He arrived in Boston, Oct. 18, and, without delay, rented a studio. He had his “Jupiter” on exhibition, and his own fame had preceded him. Many crowded the studio to see both the artist and the painting.
Society opened its doors, but this was all. No one offered to buy his picture or give him an order in the line of high art he had marked out for himself.
After various experiences Mr. Morse settled in New York, founding the National Academy of the Arts of Design, of which in 1827 he became President, and to which office he was annually elected until 1845. He delivered the first course of lectures on the fine arts ever delivered in America, and they were notable for suggestiveness and learning.
As an historical painter Morse stood next to Allston. Had the country demanded art of a very high order it is probable that Morse would have engaged his attention as an historical painter, but the nation was too young, knew little of art and cared less. Morse was honored, but his art kept him poor. He longed, however, too, for the opportunity to try his power on some national work.
He conceived the idea of painting the interior of Representatives Chamber in the Capital at Washington, and devoted eighteen months to this. The picture measured eight feet by nine, and contained a great variety of figures. Its exhibition, however, caused him serious loss. The painting is in the possession of the President of the Arts of Design in New York.
He painted a picture of General Lafayette, who was at the time in the United States, and with whom he by this means formed a warm friendship.
In 1829 he again visited Europe, spending three years among artists and collectors of art in England, Italy and France.
In Paris he painted the interior of the Louvre, copying in miniature the chief pictures hanging on its walls. In the fall of 1832 he returned to America and resumed the Presidency of the Academy of Design, to which he was regularly elected annually during his absence.
When an artist was employed to fill with a picture one of the vacant panels in the rotunda of the Capitol, American artists, without exception, considered Morse best entitled to the honor, but great disappointment was felt when another was selected.
It was on his return from Europe on board the packet-ship “Sully” the idea of the electric telegraph engaged his attention, but it occupied many years of his time to bring it to practical shape. He would have accomplished this much earlier had he not been hampered from lack of means.