The Life Of Thomas Paine, Vol. 2. (of 2): With A History of His Literary, Political and Religious Career in America France, and EnglandConway, Moncure Daniel
History
The Life Of Thomas Paine, Vol. 2. (of 2): With A History of His Literary, Political and Religious Career in America France, and England
Conway, Moncure Daniel
Paine, Thomas, 1737-1809
Before speaking of Jarvis' great portrait of Paine, I mention a later
one by him which Mr. William Erving, of New York, has added to my
collection. It would appear to have been circulated at the time of his
death. The lettering beneath, following a facsimile autograph, is: "J.
W. Jarvis, pinx. 1805. J- R. Ames, del.--L'Homme des Deux Mondes. Born
at Thetford, England, Jan. 29, (O. S.) 1737. Died at Greenwich, New
York, June 8, 1809." Above the cheap wood-cut is: "A tribute to Paine."
On the right, at the top, is a globe, showing the outlines of the
Americas, France, England, and Africa. It is supported by the wing of a
dove with large olive-branch. On the left upper corner is an open book
inscribed: "Rights of Man. Common Sense. Crisis": supported by a scroll
with "Doing justice, loving mercy. Age of Reason." From this book rays
break out and illumine the globe opposite. A lower corner shows the
balances, and the liberty-cap on a pole, the left being occupied by the
United States flag and that of France. Beneath are the broken chain,
crown, sword, and other emblems of oppression. A frame rises showing a
plumb line, at the top of which the key of the Bastille is crossed by
a pen, on Paine's breast. The portrait is surrounded by a "Freedom's
Wreath" in which are traceable the floral emblems of all nations. The
wreath is bound with a fascia, on which appear, by twos, the following
names: "Washington, Monroe; Jefferson, Franklin; J. Stewart, E. Palmer;
Barlow, Rush; M. Wollstone-craft, M. B. Bonneville; Clio Rickman, J.
Home Tooke; Lafayette, Brissot."
The portrait of Paine represents him with an unusually full face,
as compared with earlier pictures, and a most noble and benevolent
expression. The white cravat and dress are elegant. What has become of
the original of this second picture by the elder Jarvis? It might easily
have fallen to some person who might not recognize it as meant for
Paine, though to one who has studied his countenance it conveys the
impression of what he probably would have been at sixty-eight. About two
years later a drawing was made of Paine by William Constable, which I
saw at the house of his nephew, Dr. Clair J. Grèce, Redhill, England. It
reveals the ravages of age, but conveys a vivid impression of the man's
power.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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