The Express.
London, England, 1861-08-20 00:00:00

(Stamped, ld. Additional.) [TWOPENCE

ARTISTIC CONGRESS AT ANTWERP.
+—
(riot ova erzcua. ooanaoinnirr.)
ANTWERP, Auaust 17.

This ancient, and, par excellence, artistic city, is
now in a stated the highest excitement in tepid to the
arrangements for the pent Millie Cowper which is to

commence to-morrow, What other cities sometimes do in
honour of the presence of royalty or of the murderoas
achievements of the battle.field, Antwerp, remembering
her old renown and her imperishable inheritariee in the
name of Rubor, is prepared to do in honour of artiste
amembled from all quarters of Europe, sad towards the
end of promoting the aria of peace, exhibitions of art,
Harrel fttes, concerts, banquets, illuminations, fireworks,
and solemn discussions upon questions of art, are to occupy
the undivided attention of the good citizens of Antwerp
daring the ensuing three days, the omasised committee
under which the whole is to take place consisting of Mons.
J. F. Loos, the burgomaster; Mons J. Cuylita, president of
the Royal Society of Arta ; N. de Keyser, director of the
Royal Academy of Antwerp ; and Moos. H. Leys,
president of the plastic section of the Artistic
Literary and Scientific Cercle ; Mons. E. Rigeli, secretary of
the Carrie, and Mons. Leon Van Hernelryck, escrelary of
the Royal Society of Arts, being the secretaries. The re-
mining members at the committee include seine of the
principal sidermen, merchants, members of provincial
causal, amstere, mid proforma of art—en association
which speaks well for the general interest ormilated in the ,
prosperity of the arta by all claims of the community, arid
the unanimity and good feeling with which they co-operate
towards a common meritorious end.

The Invitations which have been sent out to this interest-
ing gathering have been already numerously responded to by
artists and rasa of letters from England, France, Holland,
Germany, &c. ; and the most roguing expectations are
entertained of the good and useful results which
may spring from this meeting—results affecting the
arts as respects their influence upon society, as well as the
position and the material interests of the artist in his pro-
fession.

To take the latter field of operation first, one of the most
important questions to be discussed is that of copyright in
works of art, the object being to bring artists " to come to
a good understanding, and to act unanimously," in order to
struggle against frauds, and avail themselves of their
rights. Upon this point the committee in their arcular
state

It seems, indeed, if we only (*molt the present state of
legislation, that common justice is not done them (the
artists). whilst governments protect every kind of pro-
perty with the utmost solicitude, nothing has been does to
prevent the preduotions of art from becoming pablie pro-
perty : but even attempts have been made to coolest
whether artists have the right of claiming the owoorship of
their own weeks. An unrelenting piracy, called confrefacees,
deprives time of the benefits of their labours ; that
oststrefiepose has become a regular trade, which has its work-
placer, its counting-houses, and also its markets. The law,
which punishes with aeverity the forging of a com-
mercial signature, has not found any efficacious means
of prohibiting the counterfeiting, we will lot say
of a work of sat, but of ea artistic signature.
The efforts of the caress held at Brussels the 27th of
September, 18158, to Mecum the quinine of literary and
artistic copyrights, have Dot yingenineed the desired else*
but those efforts have at leant teeded to call the attention of
the Belgian government to the necessity of securing the
property of literary men and artists. A project of law he.
been presented to the Chambers at Brmsels, which, we
hope, will strike a mortal blow to centre/ape. But se we
are ignorant whether this project will be adopted, and give
satisfaction to all interesta, the question of artistic peopmty
being moreover an international one, which the previous ,
good understanding of government. alone can solve,
life have thought that a aagnew wherein all
the great capitals of art would be represented
might, by it. resolutions, exercise a decisive influence upon
the dispositions of the statesmen to whom the definite solu-
tion of that important problem is referred. Consequently,
we have inscribed the question of artistic property at the
head of our programme. But material interests, however
important they may be, are neither the sole nor the princi-
pal occupations of serious mind; and we have thought that
a meeting of so many competent men might have a peeler
aim than the simple discumion of a question of right.

The ether questions to be brought on the tapir, and open
which all comers are invited to speak, " without restriction
as to language," include some which I cannot help viewing
sa too abstruse to find ample and profound solution in a
brief two days' session, amidst feasible, fireworks, illumina-
tions, and popular rejoicings of every description. For in.
stenos, under the head of " questions affecting artistic in.
terests," we shall be called upon to wive the following :
Is the expression of monumental art in harmony with the

manifestations of modem ides@ ? Is not the union of archi-
tecture, sculpture, and painting indispensable to monu-
mental art! What reforms should be introduced in the
instruction of the fine arta, in order to establish that union!
Is it not in the union of architecture, painting, and sculp-
ture that monumental art should find the elements of a
new style, which ought to characterise our epoch?
Whilst under " Questions of phikeophicel intereete” will
be decried :—What affinity exists between philosophy and
art? Does sot art agar • certain influence upon the in-
tellectual and mcml development of nations! What Win-
roe can be attributed to modern ideas upon contemporary .
art? Doss not our epoch parer any new principle which
rosy give to the fir arts • new expression and direction!
If art, expressing contemporary ideas, must contain their
symbol, what kind of works will best reach that end?
The "Programme de la Vie Communale et des Wa-
pitis Artistiquee " has just been reed, and fills eight
octavo pages. As I sball describe them from day to day as
they occur, I need not anticipate in the full detail the
varied and multitudinous appointments set down. The
official reception of the artistic and literary visitors takes
place to-day, on their arrival at the station ; and at nine
o'clock this evening they will assemble at the
Genie Artistique, and thence proceed in procession
to the Hotel de Ville. Tomorrow will be •
complete day of holiday-making, after which will
be given • grand banquet at the Mires des Varier', to
which upwards of • thousand guests have here invited ; the
evening to conclude with • flee reaspers, contributed by
the Societe Royale de Maneceir On Monday and Tuesday
the Oeuvre will alt, and an endless variety of amusements
will relieve the severity of their labors.

The city is already very crowded, and new arrivals from
all part are every minute corning in. The honour are
hung with draperies and flags of all nations ; and proces.
Woos, headed by banda of music, are parading the streets.
The passage leading to the Conde, from the Rue Leopold, is
planted on each side with trees, and is front of the build-
ings is an ornamental porch, with the inscription,
" Welborn." The mimic of the chimes fills the air on all
sides. -
--

gnat gathering was not the work, nor even the result of Use
suggestion of the Cycle Artistique, but of tie
people of Antwerp, who wished to express their devotion
to the arts, sod to offer facilities for an interchange of opi-
nions and kindly sentiment. between artists, lovers of art,
and men at literary eminence of all nations. lie assured
those who had honoured them by responding to the invita-
tions to this congrese that they would not only be wel.
caned by the authorities and by the artistic bodies, bet by
ell the inhabitants of Antwerp, who were anxious to receive
them as friends, and their guests, placing the hospitality of
their homes at their disposition, and proud to receive than
amongst them.

This brief and spirited address told amazingly with the
crowded assembly, being frequently interrupted by ap-
plans. ; and at the oonclusion there was a buratof "braves"
and cheering which would have shamed • City dinner"
with all the experienced prompting of Mr. Harker. In
the midst of the plaudits an unmistakable "pop" was
heard, and the worthy vice-president pledged the meeting
in • bumper of champagne ; and then there was a ported
jev-de -joie of champagne ands general toasting and clinkiagot
glasses went on for some minutes, to the unmitel matithis-
tioa of everybody, all previous mistakes and delays sp.
pairing to be, with one accord, forgotten.
Several brief and emphatic speeches were made in re-
sponse.

Baron TATLOS, president of the Societe des One. de Let-
tres, at Paris, retuned thanks for his patios. M. Banter
arclueologist, of Munich, uttered an inspiriting ed-
died. in (termini. On behalf of the invited and assembled
musts from ell n►tions " he thanked the oily of Antwerp,
the friend and encourager of the arts, which. in thus con-
voking all men who occupied themselves with the practice
of the arts and all questions which affected them, and the
principles of beauty which were their inspiration, had done
important service in the cause of civilisation. (Renewed
cheering and cries of " Vivo Anvers!" " Vivo la fraternite
des pony's' !"
A torchlight procession 'was then formed to the Town-hall,
preceded by the band of the Civic Guard, the streets and the
windows of the houses being thronged with eager spectators.
Arrived at that venerable building, the spies, It was well-
known, would not accommodate one tithe of the hundreds
who bad flocked thither ; but through the kindness of •
gentleman of the towel, who merely mentioned to the offi-
cials at the door my pretensions, on being announced as
"Cu stranger" I was admitted amongst the very find ;
and had the pleasure of assisting at one of the most interest-
ing official ceremonies I was ever present at. The Burgo-
master, M. Loos, and the four (whoring, and the commute-

secretary, In fan uniform, and X do; Keyser, director of
the Antwerp Academy, stood at • table to mein, the depu-
tation, when silence being at length obtained, the Ant-
mated functionary tittered • few words of greeting, which
were received with vociferous applause ; and there was
another toasting in champagne more vigorous and protracted
than the preceding.

. _
Kr. CAVE THOMAS was form:oat to return thanks for the
artiste of &Wand.

Mr. DONALDSON, president, as was understood, of the
Architectural Society of London, then addressed the Burp.
master in a brief but earnest speech, expressing a hope that
the authorities and artists of Antwerp would return the
visit of English artiste, and other gentlemen, by taking part
at the groat exhibition preparing in London for next year.
This speaker met with a warm reception, and when he b►d
finished there were cries of " Vise Anvers," " Vivant lea
Angles."
Y. 111:02111JUJI, a literary man from Paris, next returned
thanks, in a brilliant oration, which met with an enthu-
siastic reception.
After renewed congratulations and salutations, the huge
meeting separated, the major portion of those present re-
turning to she Carole.

I should state that when the worthy Vice-President of
the Cercle and the not less esteemed burgomaster offered
the hospitality of the town on the meet extens.ve scale
to all comers, it was no mere expression of compliment.
Already the proms of billetting has taken place, and the
artists and others forming the deputation. from carious
countries have bees invited to become the gamete of the
principal civic funetkearies, eminent citizen., and artiste of
the town.

For to-day there v a very full programme ; it trill only be
a marvel if it is entirely got through.

Imprimis,—at nine in the morning there was an assembly
of the civic guard to meet their brethren trots all the other
cities in the kingdom, who came to take part in the grand
Tir National, or shooting match of bowmen, and after-
wards a procession to the Towahall, to receive the prises
awarded by the commonalty of the town. This procession
lasted above an hour, and was accompanied by innume-
rable bands of music, which, all playing at once,
sometimes produced an effect upon tutored ears
more forcible than agreeable. Whilst this was going
on, a grind exposition of fruits and flowers at the Roe
ticnitund Guider' attracted a considerable portion
of the holiday makers ; and at eleven the church gave its
auction and adhesion to the great national movemeot by
getting up "La celebre procession de Notre Dame," in
the words of the official programme, with all the costly
gold and silver ornaments, and pageantry of embroidered
velvet, kc., with which this venerable cathedrall is so
richly endowed. The life size effigy of the Virgin, which
all tourists of the Rhine will recollect seeing here, was
equipped in her golden snit, and carried on a platform,
born* by six officials. The road was strewed with flowers,
and the houses throughout the line of the procession
exhibited wax lights and bouquets of flowers. A band of
music, playing an inspiriting march, Leaded the proces-
sion.

At one o'clock the visitors went in a body to the Expo-
sition of the Society for the Encouragement of the Fine
Arts—of which I must reserve any notice till • future
opportunity. At theme there was a grand Consume de
Declamation by various soneffes and meteor bodies. At
four the monster baoquet is to come off at the Theatre des
Varietie ; at seven there will be the grand Pe charr.petre by
the Royal Society of Hartnoay ; sod at lan en exciting
day will be wound up by • greed ball at thellotel de Ville.
The attendance of tone's notabilities is not restricted to
men of arts and letters. The King of Bavaria is expected
from Amsterdam to-morrow, • suite of apartments having
been engaged for his lffsjesl7 at the Hotel 84. Antoine, at
which establishment the Prune Frederick of Schleswig-
Holstein, the Prince of Salm Dyke, and suites have already
arrived.