TWO

EEDWARD GREENE MALBONE was born in Newport, Rhode Island, August 17, 1777, and died in Savannah in 1807. While a boy he frequently visited the local theater in his native town to watch the process of scene painting, and, later, tried his hand at this work—attaining what was considered by the townspeople great success. As a child he was quiet, reserved and self-absorbed. At sixteen he showed an indication of great talent in his first portrait miniature. Encouraged in his efforts by the English Consul at Providence, he devoted himself to the study of drawing heads and painting miniatures, and, at seventeen, he became professionally identified with miniature painting in Providence, and, in 1796, fairly established as a miniature painter in Boston.

In 1800 he accompanied his friend and fellow artist, Washington Allston, to Charleston, and the following year the two went together to Europe. It was during his stay in London that Malbone painted his most important miniature, "The Hours," now owned by the Providence AthenÆum. This shows, at three-quarter length, the figures of three beautiful women, who represent, as the Greeks personified them, Eunomia, Dice (die´-see) and Irene—the Past, the Present and the Coming Hour. They have a general resemblance and seem as if they might represent the same individual in different moments of emotion and development.

On the left is seen Eunomia or the Past, with an expression of pensive reluctance rather than regret. The central figure is Dice, or the Present—looking straight out from the picture. Her right arm is slightly raised toward Eunomia, at the left, while the left hand reaches half deprecatingly toward the Coming Hour. Irene, or the Coming Hour, is shown leaning upon the left shoulder of the Present.

This miniature was given to his sister by the painter during his lifetime, and, later, was purchased from the family by the subscription of twelve hundred dollars for the Providence AthenÆum.

Although urged by Benjamin West to remain in England, where his art would win him ample appreciation and employment, Malbone preferred to return to America, and on his arrival traveled for several years—stopping in the principal cities to paint miniatures. "These," to quote Tuckerman, "are among the few pleasant and precious artistic associations with the past in this country."

Ill health finally took Malbone to Jamaica, but finding that his illness was incurable he left there, with the intention of returning to New England, but died in Savannah—in the prime of his life and success—before he could reach the North. Malbone is now considered the most important of all miniaturists of his time.

PREPARED BY THE EDITORIAL STAFF OF THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION
ILLUSTRATION FOR THE MENTOR. VOL. 4, No. 23, SERIAL No. 123
COPYRIGHT, 1917, BY THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION, INC.