Literary Cadet, And Saturday Evening Bulletin

PROVIDENCE.
BIOGRAPHICAL
SKETCHES.
Of distinguished American Artists and Poets now
in Europe-No 2.
Early in the month of June last, we commenced
a series of sketches of the Biography of distinguished
American artists, and poets, now in Europe :
and it was our intention at the time, to have continued
them, in each succeeding paper, until they
were completed ; but a thousand circumstances intervened,
which have prevented our fulfilling a duty
at once so congenial with our feelings, and so
gratifying to our pride, as native Americans.
Being at this moment, somewhat at leisure, we
propose to offer to our readers, a slight sketch of
the history of one of the most distinguished American
artists-a self taught genius, who now resides in
Europe, and is in the enjoyment of the patronage of
a people, who of all others, are from their habits:
and local situation, the best calculated, to appreciate
the merits of sterling genius :
The individual
to whom we allude, is.
JAMES BOWMAN, Esq.
a native of an obscure district of Pennsylvania.
which, if it has not yet gained any considerable notoriety,
for its trade and population, is destined to
hold a rank somewhat conspicuous, among the communities
of the continent, from the circumstance, of
its having given birth to the son of genius, whose
history is the subject of this feeble memoir.
JAMES BOWMAN, was the second son of a poor
but respectable mountaineer, who gained an honest
livelihood by tilling the soil, and hunting among
the cliffs of his native mountains, which whilst they
reared their summits toward the skies, and impeded
the clouds in their passage, were well calculated
to inspire a thirst for deeds of noble daring, and
a taste for the delineation of those mysteries, which
the hand of nature displayed among their rude and
unfrequented heights and frightful precipices.
He
was a man, inured to the inclemencies of the seasons:
he thought of but little else than an honest maintenance
of his family, and if all were well clothed
and fed he cared but little about the culture of the
mind, or the embellishments of the person. Hence
he paid no attention to the culture of the mind-
sufficient was it for him to know, that his offspring
gained an honest livelihood, and could handle a rifle
or muzzle a bear, with a dexterity unsurpassed
by the lads of the mountains.
His brood, however;
as they emerged towards the age of manhood, began
to look forward for better prospects ; and to further
themselves in their views, migrated towards, what
was then called "the settlements," and it was here
that James, and his older brother betook themselves
to the study of the
art and mystery "of the carpenter's
vocation; but as it was but illy calculated
for James' taste, he followed it with dissatisfaction,
whilst his heart panted for some kind of employment-but
what that employment was, he could
not tell.
About that period, he chanced to behold a sign-board
on which a miserable house dauber had attempted
to delineate the bust of an officer of the
army, to decorate a village tavern, and whilst he gazed
upon it with ecstasy, he exclaimed to those
around him, "that is the employment I would delight
to follow."
Before this he had never seen a
painting of any kind, but so delighted was he with
it, that he instantly procured some materials in their
crudest shape, and commenced his early career as a
painter.
The sign board was the first subject that
sat for his pencil, and although he had never before
attempted to delineate a line, he so far succeeded,
that he outstripped the artist of the mountains,
and won the admiration of those untutored sons of
the valley, who were equally unacquainted with the
art of painting.
His next effort was made in celebrating
colors and shades from real life, and although
he possessed none of the materials or tools necessary
to the artist, he so happily succeeded in portraying
the lineaments of those who sat to him, that
those who beheld his pictures, even little children,
instantly recognised in the shades of the artist, the
lines and colorings of the original.
About this period, his older brother, visited Pittsburgh,
in pursuit of employment, and took James
with him ; and it was whilst there, that he first discovered
there was such a profession as that of a
Portrait painter.
Unacquainted with little else
than the scenery of his native mountains, the scenes
that presented themselves to his vision, in a place
like Pittsburgh, which compared to what he had
before beheld, was a magnificent city, lighted up
the hitherto latent powers of his imagination, and
he determined no longer to confine himself down to
the onerous duties of an occupation, which however
honorable it may be, is but illy calculated to associate
with beginnings of a painter, or the wild and
unsettled fancies of the poet.
Abandoning the profession to which he had been
reared, he threw aside the axe, the jack-plane
and the saw, and seizing with ecstasy and avidity
the palette the mahlstick and the pencil, assumed an
humble rank in that profession, for which he seemed,
by nature, to have been originally intended.
He had nearly reached his majority, when he first
took up the profession "in good earnest;" and comparatively
destitute of education, without a friend
to assist or instruct, whilst on the other hand those
who knew him best, exerted themselves to dissuade
him from undertaking the profession, he commenced
his professional career under the most unpleasant
and discouraging circumstances.
But nothing
daunted, by the obstacles that were presented to
impede his progress," he whistled as he went," and
undismayed, by the frowns of the world, and the
sneers of the pseudo-critics, he marched on towards
the goal of distinction.
Bidding adieu to Pittsburgh, he betook himself to
that great seat of American literature, of the arts and
sciences--Philadelphia-where through the influence
of a friend, he became acquainted with an artist,
who, discovering and appreciating his genius.
afforded him a few lessons of instruction in the art
of painting. But as is too often the case with the
offspring of genius, Bowman, had not of this world's
goods, sufficient to enable him to go through a
regular course of study, and was compelled, when
yet unknown, and among strangers to seek a livelihood,
by that pencil, which he had scarcely learned
to direct. As might have been expected, success did
not attend him in a place like Philadelphia, where
a thousand artists have long been established, and
it was rarely the case that he could prevail upon an
individual to sit to him, and even when he did, it
was exceedingly uncertain, whether he was or was
not rewarded. Driven by the chill hand of poverty
from the elegancies and refinements of the city.
he commenced the life of an itinerant, and sought
for a happier condition among the towns and villages
of the interior, where he hoped that his pencil
would be more constantly employed, and more
liberally rewarded. But in this he was disappointed:--he
was a son of genius, an artist of rare merit.
—and the world-a cold and uncharitable world-
turned its back to him-and left genius and worth
to contend against the storms of adversity--to receive
the peltings of misfortune-to feel the rude
rebuffs of haggard poverty.
In the course of his peregrinations, the neglected
artist visited the city of Washington; and it was
there that he hoped to be patronized and protected
by those guardians of the country-the members of
Congress-who, whilst they edify the world by
their "speechifications," and boast of their patriotism
and their attachment to our republic, and its
institutions, suffer its offspring-its gifted sons of
song its artizans and its mechanics-to "wither.
fade and die." whilst they nourish with a "hot
house culture"
the outscourings of Europe,--a
horde of empirics--or pretenders, who are driven
from Europe, sometimes for the commission of
crime--and seek on our shores, a resting place and
an asylum, to which they are not entitled, either by
their merits or their misfortunes.
In this, however, was the hapless artist disappointed,
and though it be true that some few of
those grave legislators patronized him, and received
from his pencil portraitures, which for exactness
were not often surpassed, it is equally true.
that taking advantage of his lonely situation, they
compelled him to take for his labours, one half of
the ordinary prices, charged by artists for such
performances.*
It was whilst in that city, that he accidentally
became acquainted with a gentleman of Alexandria
-a man of genius, a poet, and a Philanthropist,
who found him, in his lonely apartment, surrounded
by his paintings, with which were associated the
too common companions of worth-poverty, misery
and want. Though the world frowned upon him
he did not murmur, but with the philosophy of
a stoic, supported his hard fate; and resigning himself
to the decrees of fortune, smiled at the frowns of
poverty, and hoped for better days.
The gentleman, to whom we have before alluded,
and his name we should here mention, were we not
aware, that by such a procedure we should shock
his retiring modesty-urged him to visit Alexandria,
where, he assured him, his merits would be
more generously rewarded. The invitation was
gladly accepted : and for once a ray of joy beamed
upon his prospects, and at once dispelled the cloud of
gloom, which had so long lowered upon his career.
Numerous citizens of Alexandria extended to him
their patronage, and such was his success that he
was emboldened to make a voyage across the Atlantic,
in pursuit of fortune and of fame. Although
his means were scanty, he undertook the pilgrimage
without fear, and in a little period found himself an
inhabitant of the "fast anchored Isle," about to enter
the course of competition with the ablest artists
of the age.
On his arrival in London, he was a perfect stranger
in that great metropolis of the world; but his
genius soon burst through the cloud of obstacles
that surrounded him, and its lustre attracted the
attention, and called forth the admiration of those
who were capable of appreciating its worth:--and
after the lapse of a little period, he had the gratification
of finding himself noticed by some of the
ablest artists of the day. His talents after a short period
attracted the attention of some of the most distinguished
personages of the realm, and in less than
a year after he had first trod the soil of Britain, we
find him engaged in painting for the nobility, and
receiving the mutual patronage of the Lord Chancellor,
and General Clarkson, of Woolbridge-and
his pencil gaining for him a reputation which few
others have had the good fortune to secure.
His reputation well established in England, he
made a short visit to France and Italy, and while in
Paris, fortunately became acquainted with our
distinguished countryman Washington Irving, who,
with that courtesy for which he is distinguished.
and, incited by that attachment which he ever
evince for citizens of his native land, gained Mr.
Bowman access to the galleries of paintings and
academies of arts with which Paris abounds; and
thus enabled him to attain still greater proficiency
* We state this fact, on the authority of a gentleman,
and a patron of Mr. Bowman, who would if
he thought it necessary give the names of the individuals.
Sufficient, however, is it to say in this
place, that for the honor of the country, they do not
now occupy the places they once held, and that they
were men, equally destitute of talent, education and
principle. If Mr. Bowman should visit Washington
at this day, we doubt not he would be differently
treated.
his art. The benefits thus derived, have greatly
assisted him in pursuing his studies, and have also
:tended to enhance the prospects of his rising reputation.
Mr. Bowman, at present resides in Birmingham.
in the family of Mr. Van Wart, the brother in law
of Washington Irving, and in that city has opened a
gallery of paintings, which have been visited by our
distinguished countryman Mr. CARTER, one of the
Editors of the New York Statesman, who, in one of
his letters, speaks of Mr. Bowman, and his performances
in terms of the highest respect and commendation.
During his residence in England, Mr. Bowman
has received many marks of civility and attention
from those whose friendship is always desirable,
and who render their influence and aid to the truly
meritorious only. That eminent artist-the Benjamin
West and Sir Joshua Reynolds of the day -Sir
Thomas Lawrence of the Royal Academy, has noticed
his genius, has applauded it, has encouraged
it, and pronounced him one of the most promising
painters of the times, and has remarked, "I do most
sincerely believe that Bowman, will at no distant
day, supply the vacuum, which has been caused in
the world of the arts, by the demise of our lamented
WEST, and sustain the high reputation which
that great master of our art, acquired not only for
himself and his country, but for England and the
age."
We learn, that it is the intention of Mr. Bowman
to make a visit to Italy and Greece, and whilst there
it is expected that he will not only add greater dignity
to the reputation of his pencil, but bring from
those classic grounds, an interesting delineation of
those scenes and those deeds, for which they are so
justly celebrated. We wish him health, happiness
and success, in all his undertakings and laudable
adventures.
Whilst contemplating the history of this favoured
child of genius, we are led to deplore, that we of
America, do so little for our own countrymen, and
by our apathy and neglect, compel them to seek
for fortune and for fame, among those who deride
and contemn us, and sneeringly ask "who reads an
American book? What has America done for the
sciences, for the arts, or for literature?"
If we would but encourage our own genius, reward
our own talent and stimulate our own worth,
the day would soon arrive, when we should present
to the world, a catalogue of names, which in all
that is brilliant and celebrated, would vie with that
which Europe points to with exultation, and
scornfully asks, "where are our competitors?
But we distrust our own merit, we neglect and maltreat
our own offspring-with a niggardly aspect
we turn from them, and in a freezing tone, tell
them to look for patronage and for fame, among
strangers, to combat with prejudice, and contend
with sneers and contumely ; and when ye have attained
the summit of your fame,-when ye need
none of our patronage or aid-when Europe has
claimed ye as her own, and blazoned your merits
to the world,-then will we take ye into our fold—
we will caress and applaud ye, and turning to the
realms of the east, exultingly exclaim, these are
our offspring-these are AMERICANS.