Encourage Home Talent
We observe that Brother Lorus Pratt has opened a place of business a few doors west of the Theatre. Those desirous of obtaining portraits in oil, water-colors, Indian ink or crayon can be accommodated by calling upon him.
He is a young artist just starting out to make a livelihood by his profession, has evinced considerable merit and is deserving of encouragement.
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Oct. 18, 1882, 3]
[Deseret News, Oct. 18, 1882]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Apr. 2006]
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Oil Paintings
A News Reporter at Pratt’s Studio
A reporter of the News paid a visit this morning to the studio of Lorus Pratt, portrait painter, in Parry & Co.’s building, Main Street, and spent a very pleasant half hour with that gentleman, discussing the subject of his vocation and examining the various paintings which adorn his apartment.
The main object of interest was a large oil painting of President Horace S. Eldredge, upon which the artist has engaged for three or four months and has but recently finished. It is life-size, every way, and occupies a canvas measuring 40 by 55 inches, and including the frame, which is of ornamental gilt, is 55 by 70 inches in dimensions.
The subject is a life sitting, though the artist in outlining the figure, was assisted by a photograph. He has caught the facial expression and posture of the body is a nicety. The head and face are made up entirely from life, Mr. Eldredge sitting about four hours in all, at different times.
The attitude represents the gentlemen in his office, seated in a crimson cushioned chair, his right hand holding at ease a gold-headed cane, while in his left is a letter addressed to Z.C.M.I., which he had apparently just read and is reflecting upon his answer. The posture is just such a one as the original has been seen in a hundred times, and is strikingly natural.
At his right is an open window, through which is visible, despite the network of telegraph and telephone wires, which give it—as in the original—the appearance of a stringed instrument, the Deseret Bank, of which Mr. Eldredge is the President. At the left is a safe, dimly discernible in the background, and one or two articles of furniture. The floor has a figured carpet, to correspond with the sumptuous surroundings.
The face is finely wrought, and well shows the character of its original. The hands, too, are very good, and with the head of the cane, which has required considerable elaboration, were perhaps the most difficult things in the painting to portray. The figure, as a whole, is justly proportioned, and has been passed upon by competent critics. The artist’s price for the picture—for which he received a commission—is $390, and it is worth every cent of it, if it is worth anything.
Another fine painting is of the late Hon. Wm. H. Hooper, not nearly so large as the Eldredge portrait, but a veritable gem. There is also an unfinished one of Bishop R.T. Burton, which bids fair to be a complete success. Many others are to be seen in the apartment, the contents of which will repay a visit to the studio.
Mr. Pratt’s success as a portrait painter, which is evidently his forte, as it is his artistic ambition, is almost phenomenal. He is self-taught, and though but 28 years of age, and has only been in active practice since he was sixteen, he is fast winning an enviable reputation. He is certainly one of the very best portrait painters in the community, and is undoubtedly possessed of the ability to make himself noted in this particular line of work, to say the least.
[Journal History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mar. 25, 1884, 3]
[Deseret News, Mar. 25, 1884]
[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Apr. 2006]
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