THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 



27 



THE PICTURE GALLERY. 



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Besides a library, a museum, lectures, etc., among the earliest plans was 

 the formation of a Gallery of Art, and, in accordance with this, a large room 

 was devoted to this purpose. It was also determined that for .the purpose of 

 encouraging art, artists might exhibit their pictures here free of expense. 

 The feature of this gallery is the very interesting series of portraits, mostly 

 full size, of over one hundred- and fifty North American Indians, with sketches 

 of scenery, deposited by the artist who painted them, Mr. J. M. Stanley. These 

 portraits were all taken from life, and are accurate representations of the 

 peculiar features of prominent individuals of forty-three different tribes, in- 

 habiting the Southwestern prairies, New Mexico, California, and Oregon. The 

 faithfulness of the likenesses has been tested by a number of intelligent 

 persons who have visited the gallery, and have immediately recognized among 

 the portraits those of the individuals with whom they have been personally 

 acquainted. The artist expended in the work of obtaining these pictures ten 

 years of his life, and perseveringly devoted himself to the task in the face of diffi- 

 culties and dangers which enthusiasm in the pursuit could alone enable him to 

 encounter. 



The catalogue of the pictures will be found in the appendix. 



In this room is also deposited a marble statue, a copy of the celebrated work 

 of art in Rome, the " DYING GLADIATOR." It was executed by an English sculp- 

 tor, Jno. Gott. 



On the grounds near the Institution is a small building resembling a co f tage. 

 which is the above establishment. It principally consists, to secure an equable 

 temperature, of an under-ground room, inclosed within two walls, between which 



