Part 7

Van Buren was opposed to the extension of slavery, but on all other points was an uncompromising Democrat. On this platform he was again nominated for the Presidency, in 1848, with Charles Francis Adams as Vice-President. The result of his candidature was the defeat of General Cass, the regular Democratic nominee, and the election of General Taylor. After this he retired from public life and devoted his time to the writing of his “Inquiry into the Origin and Course of Political Parties in the United States,” a work which has been called more an apology than a history. When the Civil War came upon the nation, Van Buren gave zealous support to the National Government. He was an intense partisan, masterful in leadership, reducing politics to a fine art. It has been well said that, “combining the statesman’s foresight with the politician’s tact, he showed his sagacity, rather by seeking a majority for his views than by following the views of a majority.” He was far from being a demagogue, and he was frequently found fighting on the unpopular side. His convictions were strong, and he adhered to them with tenacity. While from peculiar circumstances his public career has been the subject of much partisan denunciation, he is entitled, both for activity and ability, to a higher niche in the temple of fame than is commonly accorded him. Van Buren was small in stature and of blond coloring. The physiognomist would accord to him penetration, quickness of apprehension and benevolence of disposition, while the phrenologist would add unusual reflective faculties, firmness and caution.

XVII

_Death Mask of James Monroe_

The masks that Browere made from the subject in full life, must not be confused in any sense with the more common mask made after death. This confusion could not occur with any one who has had an opportunity to observe Browere’s work or to make comparison with the reproductions in this book; but persons not familiar with these portrait busts, and having only some knowledge of masks made after death, or of such life masks as Clark Mills made,--which are thoroughly death-like in their character,--might easily fall into such an error, and, looking upon the latter as repulsive and worthless as portraiture, give no heed to the different character and true value of Browere’s living likenesses.

Mr. Laurence Hutton, in his very curious and interesting volume entitled “Portraits in Plaster,” says: “The value of a plaster cast as a portrait of the dead or living face cannot for a moment be questioned. It must of necessity be absolutely true to nature. It cannot flatter; it cannot caricature. It shows the subject as he was, not only as others saw him in the actual flesh, but as he saw himself. And in the case of a death mask particularly, it shows the subject often as he permitted no one but himself to see himself. He does not pose; he does not ‘try to look pleasant.’ In his mask he is seen, as it were, with his mask off.”

I do not quote these words, of my accomplished friend Mr. Hutton, simply for the purpose of combating them, but to show how differently two, perfectly sincere, honest delvers after historic truth, can see the same thing. Having made portraiture my study for many years, and thus having in my mind’s eye, indelibly fixed, the faces of legions of public men, I have yet to see a death mask that I could recognize at sight; many I could recall when told whose masks they were, but more yet have, to my vision, no resemblance whatever to the living man. Mr. Story, the eminent American sculptor but recently deceased, recognized how untrustworthy even life masks are as portraits. In speaking of what is claimed to be Houdon’s original mask of Washington, which Mr. Story owned, he wrote: “Indeed, a mask from the living face, though it repeats exactly the true forms of the original, lacks the spirit and expression of the real person.” So true is this, that when Mr. St. Gaudens first saw Clark Mills’s life mask of President Lincoln, he insisted that it was a death mask; for, without “the spirit and expression,” where can the likeness be? As Sir Joshua Reynolds says in one of his Discourses: “In portraits, the grace and, we may add, the likeness consists more in taking the general air than in observing the exact similitude of every feature.” In photography we have “the exact similitude of every feature,” yet how often are photographs bad likenesses, because they lack “the spirit and expression”!

While it is possible to preserve “the spirit and expression” as well as to give “the exact similitude of every feature” in a life mask, as exemplified in the marvellous work of Browere, it is impossible in a death mask, for these evanescent qualities are then gone. I am not quite certain that even “the exact similitude of every feature” is preserved in a death mask; certainly the natural relation of one feature to another is not. The death mask may, to a degree, be a correct reproduction of the bony structure, but only to a limited degree as it was in nature, for the obvious reason that the ligaments, holding the sections of bone together in their proper places, become relaxed with dissolution, and the bones lose their exact positions, which condition even the slight weight of the plaster increases.

Masks, too, will sometimes approach caricature, if they will not flatter, for they will reproduce peculiarities of formation which may not be observable superficially. This view is emphasized by Lavater in his “Physiognomy,” as quoted by Mr. Hutton. Lavater writes: “The dead and the impressions of the dead, taken in plaster, are not less worthy of observation [than the living faces]. The settled features _are much more prominent_ than in the living and in the sleeping. What life makes fugitive, death arrests. What was undefinable, is defined. All is reduced to its proper level; each trait is in its exact proportion, unless excruciating disease or accident have preceded death.” This is undoubtedly true from the point of view of the physiognomist, and it is his much desired vantage-ground, for his only object is to read the features laid bare.

From Browere’s hand we have but one death mask, and although it is open to much of the objection urged against death masks generally, it is superior to any other death mask I have ever seen. It is difficult to believe it was made after life was gone, so vibrant with life it seems. It possesses more living, breathing qualities than the life masks made by other men. If any proof were needed of the inestimable value of Browere’s lost process for making masks, it can be found in the quality of this death mask of James Monroe.

Monroe’s name is perhaps more familiarly known to the public than that of any other President, save Washington and Lincoln, owing to its association with the doctrine, which he

promulgated, of non-interference on the western hemisphere by European nations, known as the “Monroe Doctrine.” He was the fourth of the seven Virginian Presidents, and left William and Mary College, when only eighteen, as a lieutenant in Hugh Mercer’s regiment, to join Washington’s army. He served throughout the Revolutionary War, having been wounded at Trenton, and was present at Monmouth, Brandywine, and Germantown. In 1782 he took his seat in the Assembly of Virginia, and later was a delegate to Congress. Monroe took an active part in the controversy relative to the settlement of the Northwest Territory, which was quieted only by the Ordinance of 1787; and although he had a hand in originating the convention to frame a constitution for the General Government, he was not a member of it, and opposed the ratification of its work.

He was elected to the Senate of the United States in 1790, and held the office until he was sent as minister to France, four years later. He was a bitter anti-Federalist and opponent of the administration of Washington, so that his appointment to France came as a great surprise; and his action in recognizing the Republic, was an even greater surprise to his home government. For this he was reprimanded, and on his return published a defence of his conduct. He was Governor of Virginia, from 1797 to 1802, and returned to France as special envoy to negotiate with Napoleon the purchase of Louisiana. He was again Governor of Virginia, but resigned to accept the portfolio of state in Madison’s cabinet, which was the stepping-stone to the succession in the Presidency. This high office he held for two terms, and for the last term there was only one electoral vote cast against him. It was in the second year of his second term, 1823, that he enunciated the famous Monroe Doctrine of “Hands off!” contained in two brief paragraphs in his annual message, which doctrine is logically nullified by the present foreign policy of the country.

Monroe’s administration has been designated “the Era of Good Feeling,” and he should always be remembered as an upright and honest politician. As is too often the case with men who give their best years to the public service, his latter days were burdened by intense poverty, and he died in New York, July 4, 1831, almost in want.

In person Monroe was tall, well formed, and with a fair complexion and blue eyes. The well-known portraits of him, by Stuart and by Vanderlyn, tail to bestow any signs of recognition upon Browere’s death mask; but it is true these two portraits were painted a score and more years before Monroe’s death. While, as has been said, it is far more life-like than many life casts, its reproduction only serves to emphasize my views as to the little value of death masks as portraits.

Addendum to Chapter VIII_

Since this chapter went to press there has been published Roland’s “Life of Charles Carroll of Carrollton,” and upon page 342, of Volume II, there appears the following letter from Charles Carroll, upon his bust, by Browere, which is too important not to be given a place here:

DOUGHOREGAN MANOR, July 29, 1826.

_Sir_:

Mr. Browere has produced and read to me several letters from sundry most respectable personages; on their recommendation and at his request I sat to him to take my bust. He has taken it, and in my opinion and that of my family, and of all who have seen it, the resemblance is most striking. The operation from its commencement to its completion was performed in two hours, with very little inconvenience and no pain to myself. This bust Mr. Browere contemplates placing, with many others, in a national gallery of busts. That his efforts may be crowned with success is my earnest wish. That his talents and genius deserve it I have no hesitation in pronouncing. I remain, with great respect, Sir, your most humble servant

CH. CARROLL OF CARROLLTON.

TO ARCHIBALD ROBERTSON, ESQ.

In “Niles’s Register” for August 12, 1826, (Volume XXX, page 411,) is given an account of this bust and its public exhibition at the Exchange in Baltimore.

Index_

Adams Family, 50

C. F. Mask by Browere, 17 Minister to England, 51, 55 Letter to Browere, 54 Birth and death, 55 Services to his country, 55 Nominated for Vice-President, 107

John. Mask by Browere, 17 Minister to England, 51 Birth and death, 51 Browere visits him, 51 Makes mask, 52 Certificate to Browere, 52 Stuart’s portrait of, 52 Mentioned, 19, 43, 46

J. Q. Mask by Browere, 17, 54 Minister to England, 51 And Gilbert Stuart, 53 Birth and death, 54 Unpopular, 55 Supported by Clay, 75

T. B., certificate to Browere, 52

Alexander, Cosmo. Instructed Stuart, 81 Who he was, 81 Took Stuart to Scotland, 81 Death of, 81

Alexander the Great, 3

André, John. Masks of captors of, 15 Personality, 30 Case an aggravated one, 30 Puerile plea, 30 Suffered justly, 30 Mentioned, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33

Antagonism between art factions, 25

Anthony, Elizabeth, mother of Gilbert Stuart, 80

Architecture subordinate to Sculpture, 2

Arnold, B., mentioned, 28, 30

Art in America influenced by foreigners, 10 Public patronage of, 17 Protection of works of, 17

Bainbridge, W., exploits in war of 1812, 93

Barbour, P. P., mask by Browere, 17

Barré, Isaac, portrait of, by Stuart, 89

Beauty, the Greek idea of, 2

Berkhoven, Adam, ancestor of Browere, 13

Bogardus, Annetje, ancestor of Browere, 13 Edward, ancestor of Browere, 13

Booth, Edwin, rival of Forrest, 102

Bottari, G., authority, 3

Boydell, J., portrait of, by Stuart, 89 Shakespeare Gallery, 89

Brouwer, Adam, ancestor of Browere, 13 Jacob Adam, ancestor of Browere, 13

Browere, Jacob, father of J. H. I. Browere, 12 A. D. O. Birth and death, 26 Gains prizes, 26, 27 His paintings, 27 Visits California, 27 Added draperies to busts, 27 Preserved busts, 27 J. H. I., 3, 4, 10 Birth, parentage, and death, 12, 13 Ancestry, 13 At Columbia College, 13 Marriage, 13 Pupil of A. Robertson, 13 Travels abroad, 14 Bust of A. Hamilton, 14 Experiments making masks, 15 First life mask, 15 Mask of Pierrepont Edwards, 15 Masks of the captors of André, 15 Exhibits at Academy of Fine Arts, 15 Mask of La Fayette, 16 Writes to Madison, 16, 17 Costs of making masks, 16 List of masks by, 17 Disheartened, 18 His process, 18 Opposition to his work, 18 Treatment of Jefferson, 18 Method without discomfort, 19 Letter to Trumbull, 19 Kept out of Academy of Design, 20 Remark on Dunlap, 21 Letter to American Academy, 21 Death-bed directions, 25 Exhibition of busts, 25 Nature of work, 25 Compared with Clark Mills, 26 Mask of John Paulding, 32 Isaac Van Wart, 34 David Williams, 35 Suffocation of Jefferson by, 36 Discovery of busts, 38 Visits Monticello, 39 Mask of Jefferson, 39 Certificate from Jefferson to, 40 Newspaper attack on, 41 Letters to Jefferson, 42, 45 M. M. Noah, 42 Whole-length statue of Jefferson, 43, 45, 46 Letter from Jefferson, 44 De Witt Clinton congratulates, 47 Visits John Adams, 51 Mask of John Adams, 52 Certificate from John Adams, 52 Mask of J. Q. Adams, 54 C. F. Adams, 55 Introduced to Madison, 57 Masks of the Madisons, 59 Mask of Charles Carroll, 61, 115 Letter from S. L. Mitchill, 62 His workshop, Broadway, 64 Mask of La Fayette, 66 Letter from E. W. King, 66 Mask of Clinton, 71 Letter from T. A. Emmet, 71 Mask of H. Clay, 73 Encouraged by Stuart, 76 Certificate from Stuart, 77 Mask of D. Porter, 95 Material used, 96 Mask of R. Rush, 99 E. Forrest, 103 M. Van Buren, 104 Death mask of J. Monroe, 112

Brown, J. Mask by Browere, 17 Letter to Madison, 57

Buchan, Earl of (David Stuart), 13

Calhoun, J. C., opposes Van Buren, 106

Captors of André. Characters attacked, 29 Vindicated, 30, 31

Carroll, C. Mask by Browere, 17 Reason of his signature, 60 Personal description, 61 Granddaughters marry noblemen, 61 Letter on Browere’s bust, 115 Mentioned, 19, 46

Cass, L., defeated for President, 107

Casts, invention of making life, 3

Caton, Mrs., daughter of C. Carroll, 61

Ceracchi, G., influence on American art, 11

Chalmers, G., a Scotch painter, 82

Chambers, G., meant for Chalmers, 82

Christ Church, Philadelphia, 5

Clay, H. Mask by Browere, 17, 73 Personal appearance, 74 Birth and death, 74 Duel with H. Marshall, 74 His ambition, 75

Cleveland, Mrs. Grover, her attractiveness, 59

Clinton, De W. Mask by Browere, 17 Certifies to Browere’s busts, 66, 71 Woodworth’s lines on bust of, 70 A politician, 71 Opposed by Van Buren, 105

Columbian Academy, New York, 14

Cooper, T., mask by Browere, 17

Copley, J. S., portrait of, by Stuart, 89

Cromwell, O., 7

Cruikshank, W., lectures on anatomy, 85

Cummings, T. S., 14, 25

Cushing, W. B., exploit in the Civil War, 93

Decatur, S., exploit in war with Tripoli, 93

Delavan, General, 35

Derrick, Eliza, marries Browere, 13

Dewey, G., exploits in war with Spain, 93

Dixey, J., sculptor, 11

Donatello, 3

Duane, W., libel on Governor McKean, 98

Dunlap, W., unreliability of, 20

Durand, J., memoir of Trumbull, 25

Earlom, R., portrait of, by Stuart, 89

Eckstein, J., sculptor, 11

Edwards, P., mask by Browere, 15

Emmet, T. A. Mask by Browere, 17 Letter to Browere, 71, 72

Encyclopædia Britannica on Stuart, 92

Facius, J. G., portrait of, by Stuart, 89

Farragut, D. G., exploits in the Civil War, 93

Forrest, E. Mask by Browere, 17, 102 As _William Tell_, 102 Birth and death, 103

Fothergill, A., portrait of, by Stuart, 89

Franklin, B. Friend of P. Wright, 6 Profile by P. Wright, 6

Frazee, J., not first American sculptor, 7, 10

Frothingham, J., artist, 23

Gainsborough, T., credited with Stuart’s work, 87 Paints portrait with Stuart, 88 Portrait of, by Stuart, 89

Galt’s statue of T. Jefferson, 48

Gendon, Ann C., mother of Browere, 12

George III, leaden statue of, 5

Gilpin, H. D., letter from Madison, 37

Gladstone, W. E., the Great Commoner, 73

Graham, J. A., certifies to La Fayette’s bust, 68

Grant, W., portrait of, by Stuart, 86 Exhibited, 87

Greek Art. Beginnings of, 2 Perfection of, 2 Characteristics of, 2

Hall, J., portrait of, by Stuart, 89

Hamilton, A. Bust by Browere, 14 Miniature by Robertson, 14 On captors of André, 30

Heath, J., portrait of, by Stuart, 89

Higginson, T. W., paper on Jane Stuart, 79

Hilson, T., mask by Browere, 17

History, method of writing, 48

Hone, P., mask by Browere, 17

Hoppner, J., marries daughter of P. Wright, 6 Instructs J. Wright, 9

Hosack, D., mask by Browere, 17

Houdon, J. A. Influence on American art, 11 Method of making mask, 41 Mask of Washington, 110

Hubard Gallery, Stuart’s bust at, 77

Hull, I., exploits in war of 1812, 93

Humphrey, O., portrait of, by Stuart, 89

Hutton, L. Portraits in plaster, 38 Estimate of masks, 109 Views discussed, 110

Iconoclasm regarding historic characters, 30

Inman, H., painter, 14

Irving, W., 33, 34

Jackson, A., opposed by Clay, 75

Jamesone, G., ancestor of Alexander, 81

Jans, Anneke, ancestress of Browere, 13

Jefferson, T. Mask by Browere, 17 Treatment by Browere, 18 Randall’s story of suffocation, 36 Personal appearance, 37 Bust by Browere, 37 Its existence and discovery, 37, 38 Consents to have bust made, 38 Browere makes mask, 39 Certificate to making of mask, 40 Letter to Madison, 41 From Browere, 42 Whole-length statue by Browere, 43 Letter to Browere, 44 Galt’s statue of, 48 Coincidences in life of, 51

Jervis, Sir John, portrait of, by Stuart, 89

Johnson, E., portrait of “Dolly” Madison, 59

Jones, J. P., exploits in Revolutionary War, 93

Jouett, J. H., exploits in Civil War, 93

King, D., buys Browere’s bust of Stuart, 79 E. W., letter to Browere, 66 R., elected senator, 105

La Fayette. Bust of, by Rush, 9 Mask of, by Browere, 16, 64, 66 Last visit to United States, 63 Browere’s mask injured, 64 Second mask made, 66

Latrobe, B. H., on William Rush, 8 J. H. B., appearance of C. Carroll, 61

Laurens, H., dress of, 45 J., letter to, 28

Lavater, J. C., on death masks, 112

Lawrence, T., Stuart’s reason for leaving England, 91

Leeds, Duchess of, granddaughter of C. Carroll, 61

Leinster, Duke of, portrait of, by Stuart, 89

Leonardo da Vinci, pupil of Verocchio, 3

Lincoln, A., President of the United States, 7 R., mother of W. Rush, 7

Lovell, P., marries J. Wright, 5

Lysippus, sculptor, 3

Lysistratus invents making life casts, 3

Macomb, A., mask of, by Browere, 17

McKean, T., libelled by Duane, 98

Madison, D. Mask of, by Browere, 17, 59 Widow of J. Todd, 56 Browere’s child named for, 58 Beauty overestimated, 59 Painted by Stuart, 59 Drawn by Johnson, 59 Attractiveness, 59 J. Mask by Browere, 17, 59 Letter to H. D. Gilpin, 37 Papers in State Department, 37 Intercedes for Browere, 38 Certifies to Jefferson’s bust, 40 Letter to, from Jefferson, 41 Browere, 46 Character, 56 Browere introduced to, 57 Letter to, from J. Brown, 57 Certifies to his bust, 58

Manchester, Duke of, portrait of, by Stuart, 89

Marshall, H., duel with H. Clay, 74

Mills, C. Mentioned, 26, 36 His masks, 109, 111

Miniature-painting, treatise on, 14

Mitchill, S. L. Mask of, by Browere, 17 Letter to Browere, 62

Monroe, J. In Washington’s army, 113 Wounded at Trenton, 113 Delegate to Congress, 113 Elected to Senate, 113 Minister to France, 113 Opposed Washington, 113 Governor of Virginia, 113, 114 President, 114 His doctrine, 114 His administration, 114 Personal appearance, 114 Dies poor, 114

Morse, S. F. B. Portrait of La Fayette by, 67 Inventor of telegraph, 68 Certifies to bust of La Fayette, 68

Morton, J. Certifies to bust of La Fayette, 66

Mott, V., mask by Browere, 17

Newspapers’ attack on Browere, 41

Noah, M. M. Mask of, by Browere, 17 Mentioned, 42, 61, 96

Northumberland, Duke of, portrait of, by Stuart, 89

Parthenon, frieze of the, 3

Paulding, H., son of John Paulding, 33 J. K., nephew of John Paulding, 33 J. Mask by Browere, 15, 17, 32 Captor of André, 28, 31 Social position, 32 Monument, 33 L., grandson of John Paulding, 33 W., brother of John Paulding, 32 W., Nephew of John Paulding, 33 Mayor of New York, 33

Peale, R. Portraits of La Fayette, 67 Portraits of Washington, 67 Certifies to La Fayette’s bust, 67

Pericles, age of, 2

Perry, O. H., exploits in war of 1812, 93

Perugini, pupil of Verocchio, 3

Pheidias, sculptor, 2, 3

Pitt, W., the Great Commoner, 73

Plastic Art. What it is, 1 Its origin, 1 Its earliest form, 1 Associated with worship, 1 Architecture, 2 Among the Greeks, 2 Development in United States, 4

Pliny, on Inventor of Masks, 3

Poore, B. P., plagiarizes Randall, 36

Porter, D. Mask of, by Browere, 17, 95 Three with same name, 94 Distinguished in navy, 94 Commands _Essex_, 94 Captures _Alert_, 94 Sails around Cape Horn, 95 Surrenders the _Essex_, 95 Retires from navy, 95 Letter to Noah, 96

Pratt, E. Daughter of P. Wright, 6 Models profiles in wax, 6

Preble, E., exploits in war with Tripoli, 93

Quincy Family, 50 Josiah, Jr., 50 J., President of Harvard, 50

Randall, H. S. Story of Jefferson’s suffocation, 36 Method of writing history, 37 Statement refuted, 38 Criticized, 48

Raeburn, H., credited with picture by Stuart, 87

Randolph, Misses, alarmed, 39 Master, peeping, 39

Redwood Library. Stuart’s bust at, 76 Stuart’s self-portrait at, 86

Reynolds, J. Discourses on Painting, 85 Stuart paints portrait, 85, 89 On portraits, 111

Riker, R., member Com. of Councils, 64

Robertson, Alexander, 13 Andrew, 14 Archibald, instructor of Browere, 13 Treatise on miniature-painting, 14 Card from, 15 Emily, life of A. Robertson, 14

Romney, G., credited with picture by Stuart, 88

Royal Academy. Stuart pupil at, 85 Stuart exhibits at, 85, 86

Rush, B., father of R. Rush, 94 J., screed on newspapers, 41 Joseph, father of W. Rush, 7 Married R. Lincoln, 7 R. Mask of, by Browere, 17, 99 Attorney-General, 98 Secretary of State, 99 Minister to England, 99 Secretary of Treasury, 99 Plan for Smithsonian Institution, 100 Fine literary sense, 102 W. First American Sculptor, 7 Ancestry, 7 Career, 8 Figureheads for ships, 8 Statue of Washington, 9 Bust of La Fayette, 9 Kinsman of R. Rush, 98

St. Gaudens, A., estimate of masks, 111

Sampson, W. T., exploits in war with Spain, 94

Sculpture, the daughter of Architecture, 2

Sharp, W., portrait of, by Stuart, 89

Shee, M. A., credited with picture by Stuart, 88

Smithson, J. Legacy to United States, 99 Who he was, 99