Mr. P. Staunton—
Dear Sir:
The committee
composed of the old friends and personal acquaintances of Mr. Clay, who were appointed by me pursuant to the Resolution of the General Assembly to select the portrait to be brought by the State have by our majority decided the question against your picture and in favor of that painted by Mr. Frye. This decision I regard as binding upon me and upon the Legislative Committee.
I cannot however permit
this occasion to pass without
|
expressing my high appreciation of your historical painting of Mr. Clay.
Mr. James [sic] M. Clay the
son of Mr. Clay was moved to tears upon the sight of your lifelike representation of his father, and as one of the Committee—made the following statement of his opinion of the merits of the painting (viz)
"Mr. Staunton, in my opinion
gives expression almost if not quite impossible to be excelled on canvas. No comparison between the two paintings as to merit and resemblance."
(signed) "John M. Clay"
With this high commendation
of your work, defeat itself is a victory in any contest of art.
Respectfully,
Tho E Bramlette
Gov
|