Charles Hine to Walt Whitman, 21 March 1860

New York March 21st 60. My Dear Walt

Through the stupidity of Lewis I1 did not receive the dispatch until late in the afternoon, but as the picture is yet unfinished you will understand why I do not send it spedily. 2I went directly to my frame makers, the frame will be done to-morrow, (it is a beauty) and if you wish I will send it in a few days. It is my wish it should be seen in Boston. Let me know how you propose to introduce it. It must be hung where the Fellows will see it,—you know what I mean. Let the light be an important thing, and dont allow any clap-trap surroundings. Let it be the thing wherever it is, at any price. I had intended as you are aware to put it in the Academy.—3

Tell me what you think. If I put it there I must enter it by the 31st—What shall I do? I wish to please you and feeling that you understand me I wait your pleasure. Write immediately for we have no time to loose

Most truly yours Chas Hine Artist

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Notes

• 1. Charles Hine (1827–1871) was a portrait and figure painter best know for his nude figure entitled Sleep. [back]
• 2. Hine's portrait of Whitman served as the basis for Stephen Alonzo Schoff's engraving of the poet for Leaves of Grass (1860). For a discussion of Hine's portrait and its relation to Schoff's engraving see Ruth L. Bohan, Looking into Walt Whitman (University Park, PA: Penn State Press, 2006), 38–42; for more information on Schoff's frontispiece see "Stephen Alonzo Schoff after an oil portrait by Charles W. Hine". [back]
• 3. The National Academy of Design in New York. [back]