 | Documentary History of the Construction of the Buildings at the University
of Virginia, 1817-1828 |  |
Thomas Jefferson to Rembrandt Peale
I recd yesterday your favor of Jan. 8. on the subject of the portrait of Gen. Washn. on which
you are engaged. from the circumstances of the corrections needed by all those which have
been heretofore taken, and the views you give of them, I have no doubt you will produce
one peculiarly worthy of the original. the visit you flatter me with would indeed be a most
welcome one. I should hope to shew you in turn something in the fine arts not unworthy of
being seen. I mean our University, under view from this place, which exhibits some very
chaste models of Grecian architecture, and an arrangement exhibiting them to good
advantage, but that you should take the trouble of bringing the portrait with you, is scarcely
admissible; and the less as it could answer no useful purpose to yourself.[851] in the case of
historical paintings which few in this country have had oppties of being familiar with, their
judgment may be influenced by that of others. but in that of portraits, every one judges for
himself, is positive in his judgment and yields nothing to that of another. my opinion of it
therefore were I to presume to offer it, could be of no weight with others. I believe you are
right in proposing to go to Europe for the exercise of your art. this is certainly not a country
for a fine artist. we have genius among us but no unemployed wealth to reward it. the
numerous families of our country prevent accumulation,[852] and turn whatever we can get
into the channel of provision for them. be so good as to present me affectionately to your
father & to accept my best wishes for your success and welfare.
Th: J.
ADftS, DLC:TJ, 1p, with TJ docket "Peale Rembrandt. Jan. 19. 24." Jefferson made this
draft on a coverhseet addressed to "Mr. Jefferson Monticello Charlottesville" and
postmarked in March in Richmond.
851. TJ wrote Rembrant Peale's father, Charles Willson Peale on 15 February, reiterating his
concerns about the artist bringing the painting to Monticello. "I expressed the cordial
welcome with which I should recieve himself," writes TJ about Rembrant. "I besought him
not to think of bringing the painting. this would be attended with difficulty, trouble, expence
& danger of injury to the thing itself, too great to be risked. . . . but tell him what he might
bring on much more acceptably to wit yourself. I shd. be delighted to shew you both our
rising University because you have eyes and taste to judge it. greater works may be seen in
the US. & in Europe. but you know the difference between magnitude and beauty. in the
chastity of it's architecture it's variety, symmetry, lightness & originality you will acknolege
it's preeminence. it has some things objectionable, which imperious regards to utility forced
us to admit. such a journey in the pleasant days of the spring would reanimate more than
fatigue you. come then and bask awhile with us in our genial sun" (DLC:TJ).
| Documentary History of the Construction of the Buildings at the University
of Virginia, 1817-1828 | |