But here, as in other things, genius exercises its accustomed sway without limitation. Even the difficulties of “a defective model” did not prevent Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Rubens, Velasquez, or Van Dyck from producing portraits precious in the history of Art. It would be easy to mention heads by Raphael yielding in value to only two or three of his larger masterpieces, like the Dresden Madonna. Charles the Fifth stooped to pick up the pencil of Titian, saying, “It becomes Cæsar to serve Titian!” True enough; but this unprecedented compliment from the imperial successor of Charlemagne attests the glory of the portrait-painter. The female figures of Titian, so much admired under the names of Flora, La Bella, his Daughter, his Mistress, and even his Venus were portraits from life. Rembrandt turned from his great triumphs in his own peculiar school to portraits of unwonted power; so also did Rubens, showing that in this department his universality of conquest was not arrested. To these must be added Velasquez and Van Dyck, each of infinite genius, who won fame especially as portrait-painters. And what other title has Sir Joshua himself? Historical pictures are often collections of portraits arranged so as to illustrate an important event. Such is the famous _Peace of Münster_, by Terburg, just presented by a liberal Englishman to the National Gallery at London. Here are the plenipotentiaries of Spain and the United Provinces joining in the ratification of the treaty which, after eighty years of war, gave peace and independence to the latter.[144] The engraving by Suyderhoef is rare and interesting. Similar in character is _The Death of Chatham_, by Copley, where the illustrious statesman is surrounded by the peers he had been addressing,--every one a portrait. To this list must be added the pictures by Trumbull in the Rotunda of the Capitol at Washington, especially _The Declaration of Independence_, in which Thackeray took a sincere interest. Standing before these, the author and artist said to me, “These are the best pictures in the country,”--and he proceeded to remark on their honesty and fidelity; but doubtless their real value is in their portraits.