- tle less than sacrilege." He died in 1828, in the
seventy-fifth year of his age.
STUART'S REPUTATION.
As a painter of heads, Stuart stands almost unrivalled
in any age or country; beyond this he
made no pretensions, and indeed bestowed very little
care or labor. He used to express his contempt
for fine finishing of the extremities, or rich and elegant
accessories, which he used to say was "work
for girls." Whether these were his real sentiments,
or affectation, it is difficult to determine. He was,
however, totally deficient in that academic education
which is necessary to success in the highest
branch of the art—historical painting. He had
genius enough to have distinguished himself in any
branch, but he could not, or would not, brook the
necessary toil.
STUART'S DRAWING.
Stuart never had patience to undergo the drudgery
necessary to become a skillful draughtsman.
His kind instructor, Mr. West, urged upon him its
importance and necessity, and advised him to frequent
the Royal Academy for this purpose, which
he neglected to do. Trumbull relates that Fuseli,
on being shown some of his drawings, observed in
his usual sarcastic manner, "young man, if this is
the best you can do, you had better go and make
shoes."
