Viewing page 82 of 85

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Mr. Stuart requested Washington to sit for another portrait which was granted at the solicitation of Mrs. Washington for whom it was to be finished. It was begun upon a half-length canvas, as it now exists - the Head alone being finished, in a different position, light and shadow from the first. From this hand he executed as I have understood with varying success forty copies. 

At this period of our narrative it is proper to anticipate a piece of information which I received fro Judge Washington- that when his Uncle sat to Mr. Stewart (sic) for his second portrait, he had placed in his mouth a new set of teeth, formed entirely of heavy seahorse ivory, to imitate both teeth and gums, and supported by massive springs so uncomfortable as to prevent his speaking but with difficulty. Mr. Stuart was not aware of the cause, and told me that he never had found a sitter so difficult to engage in conversation a talent in which this Artist was peculiarly eminent. The teeth were now at fault and were ultimately rejected. The old set made in 1790 by Mr. Greenwood of New York, whose son possesses one half of it- the other half I have seen in the possession of Dr. Chs A. Harris of Baltimore. It is beautifully made- neat and small. 
This Second Original is now the property of the Boston Athenaeum, where it enjoys the reputation of being the standard Portrait.... I am conscious that no one living is more capable, and certainly cannot be more willing than myself to appreciate (sic)and acknowledge the merit of this portrait, notwithstanding its massive breadth. 
I have had full opportunity to make an accuras Copy of it; and it affords me satisfaction to present it as a facsimile of the original- which original will always be regarded with interest as a precious Study from the life, and a beautiful work of art. 
Besides the Magnificent Picture in the Faneuil Hall, Mr. Stewart (sic) made several whole length Compositions of Washington - the likeness always founded on his 2nd Portraits; but the one most known is that which was painted for the Marquis of Lansdome, for which Washington at the request of Mrs. Bingham in April 1796, gave the artist one retouching sitting- this making it in a degree Stuart's third Portrait. This Picture, which I saw in London in 1834, in the possession of Mrs. Williams was engraved by Heath; but the head was not satisfactory to Mr. Stuart, and inferior to engraved by Nutter, for Lavater's Physiognomy. 
A very coarse engraving from Nutter's Print was published on a number of English Water pitchers, and brought into notoriety by Mr. Dorsey, the architect of the Pennsylvania Academy of fine arts. After several unsuccessful attempts to break the pitcher without injuring the portrait he at last succeeded by a bold stroke with a broad hammer directly at the head. There Pit [[strikethrough]] c [[/strikethrough]] cher Portraits from their novelty had a temporary reputation. One of them is framed at Mount Vernon. 
The last time I had the advantage of seeing Washington, was in the spring of 1799- in the ruddy glow of perfect health- thus terminating my personal knowledge of him during a period of thirteen years. 
After his death in December of that year, his family and friends lamented that they possessed no portrait of him which they considered entirely satisfactory...I had made numerous Copies of my Father's various portraits of Washington. Not fully satisfied with any of them nor with Trumbull's nor Pine's nor Westmiller's, - nor Stuart's- nor my own tho each possessed some peculiar merit; I made, from time to time, various attempts, chiefly to