The figures are as large as the life; and it may safely be said, that the world never beheld, on a similar occasion, a more noble assemblage. It was the native and unchartered nobility of great talent, cultivated intelligence, superior manners, high moral aim, and devoted patriotism. The crisis demanded the utmost firmness of which the human mind is capable—a firmness not produced, for the moment, by passion and enthusiasm, but resting on the most able comprehension of both duties and dangers, and on a principled determination to combat the one and to fulfil the other.
This moral effect has been produced in the fullest and finest manner by this great painter; and no true American can contemplate this picture without gratitude to the men who, under God, asserted his liberties, and to the artist who has commemorated the event, and transmitted the very features and persons of the actors to posterity. Such efforts of the pencil tend powerfully also to invigorate patriotism, and to prompt the rising generation to emulate such glorious examples.
The composition and execution in this picture are in a masterly style. The grouping of so many full length portraits, in a scene in which there could scarcely be any action, and in such a manner as to dispose of them without monotony, was an attainment of no small difficulty. The painter could not even avail himself of the adventitious relief of splendid costume and furniture, and of magnificence or rich decorations in architecture; for on this occasion both were characterized by an elegant simplicity only, such however as became the actors and the crisis.
The composition has all the variety of which it is susceptible; and there is also enough of it in the style of dress and of features to relieve the eye from any danger of satiety.
It is believed, that in this picture, the United States possess a treasure to which there is no parallel in the world. In no instance, within our knowledge, is there an exhibition to an equal extent, of the actual portraits of an illustrious assembly, concerned in so momentous a transaction.
It was a great thing to assert, in principle, the liberties of this country; but it was also a great thing to vindicate them by arms; and we rejoice that Colonel Trumbull is still to proceed, under the sanction of government, to delineate other scenes, in which Washington and his illustrious American coadjutors, and the flower of French chivalry, were the actors. In the maturity of his experience, skill, and fame—possessed, as he is, of the portraits of most of the great men of that period, taken principally from the life, and having been himself largely and personally conversant with them in their great deeds, we trust that the government will promptly second what we doubt not the united voice of the nation will demand—that the illustrious artist should dedicate the evening of his life to his country's honour and glory.
INTELLIGENCE.
