Page 85 - La Société canadienne d'histoire de l'Église catholique - Rapport 1961

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REPORT ON TIIE PICTURE GALLERY. 81
battle was the first successful contest on the part of the whites
in the Black Hawk war-a war which opened the way for the
rapid settlement of this country; and taken in connection with
this fact, and in view of the bravery of the citizen soldiery of
our State, is well worthy to be esteemed by us as classic
ground. The painting is a fine sketch from nature by S. M.
of
BROOKES, Milwaukee, to whose apt pencil the Society is so
much indebted. Those who fought in this battle have repeat-
edly pointed out the positions of the contending forces upon the
picture, and vouch for its reliability. It completes the list of
views of the battle-fields of the Black Hawk war in Wisconsin.
11. Dr. ELISHA KENT KANE.-Aside from the mournful
interest which attaches to this chivalrous explorer, taking his
life in his hand, to rebcue, if living, a brother discoverer, from
his ice-prison, a pcculiar intcrest attaches to this pcrtrait. It
was painted by the celebrated CIIEVELIER FAGNANI, of New
York, who knew Dr. Icane intimately. IIc painted one of the
most spirited portraits cxtant of thc great Arctic adventurer;
and this picturc, which the artist presented to the Society, is a
faithful copy of his own original. No biographical notice of
Dr. KANE will be required in this connection.
111. JAMES GATES PERCIVAL.-T~~S portrait was painted
by FLAGG of New Haven. It represents this distinguished
poet and scientific man as he appeared in the prime of life,
some twenty-five years ago. It preserves the peculiar expres-
sion of self-forgetfulness, so remarkable in PERCIVAL. The
eyes are lifted, as if the soul were contemplating something
above the earth, and all the fine features of his face are ideal-
ized in the portrait, as he was known in life. The painting is
not an idealization of the man, but the idealization is the suc-
cess of the portrait. For a sketch of his life, see vol. 8, Hist*
0011. of this Society, pp. 66-80.
IV. FIRST HOUSE BUILT IN MADISON.-T~~S a truthful
is
aketch of the first house built on the present site of this
city. This humble and primitive dwelling stood on Butler
street, at no great distance from Third Lake. The early
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