The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-05-31
National Academy OF Design.

the works exhibited and find that there is still much
demanding our notice, and we shall therefore con-
tlnue our remarks at length. We take this OPP
portunity of assuring those inqusitlve personages
who have been so buslly specializing as to who NAV
or may net be the author OF these criticisms, that
their curiosity is futile it is unnecessary Suf-
flee it that they were commenced and will be car
ried through, with determination to advance, as
far possible, the interests of the art which they
discuss, by careful investigation and an honest and
fearless expression Of opinion. We had hoped to
have received assistance in our labors Though the
notices of some of our contemporaries; but we find
the few that have appeared, made Up, for the most
part, if not entirely, of the arrago of stereo-
typed cant which has hitherto distinguished news
paper criticism on art equally extravagant in their
praise and censure. They do not condescend to
assign any reason for the sentiments so oracularly
pronounced Such picture is declared to be good
and such one bad another splendid, and the rest
execrable; but tor any clue to the causes which
induced such conclusions, we look in vain. Now.
we should be glad to learn of what possible utility
such criticism can be--how it can either enlighten
the public or improve the artist Ii can do neither
The effect is directly opposite 10 that produced by
just and legitimate criticism The sensible painter
who is thus appauded, derives no satisfaction in
the laudatlon, and he who is condemned laughs at
what he esteems an impotent ebultlOn of ignorance
their columns to I've disgraced by these senseless
TRADES, have much to answer for. They oppose
stumbling blocks 10 the onward march of taste and
genius In the country, which have, heaven knows,
enough OF unavoidable obstacles in their way. We
have genius for art among us-high. pure vigorous,
and original genius but it has not yet attained its
full sature-it is the infant Hercules. Let u.s. then,
by every means we can command, foster its grow
ing strength and sustain the generous and quick pull
satlons OF Its mighty heart-few artists need but
this. They are surrounded by lofty and glorious
sources OF inspiration They find this in the ex-
hausess stores of grandeur and loveliness which
Nature has lavished upon this western world. Nor
need they seek in foreign history themes for the
epic pencil. True, they have not here the shadowy
and dreamy poetry that cllngs about antiquity
the mysterious sublimlties of tradition; but, then,
they have the glory of the present. Let the Euro
pean bask hun in the sunshine of his own ideal
revel IN classic story-stlll gaze on ruined fame
and fallen architrave"-they are beautiful inspira
tons. But let the son of the new world erect for
beauty and sublimiy, new affairs; let him turn
from Greek and Roman story, and conceive the
grandeur of kingdom wrested from the woods
where civilization Is moving with the stride of
giant onward, and the axe is forever ringing with
restlessness that is sublime.
But we fear we may already have trespassed too
TAR upon cur readers patience in this dIgression-
We return, therefore, to our direct subject.
No. 2 MoOngh t-Scene in Scotland "A young
ady.-We are 10th to criticlse the effort of lady
when we cannot approve l-bu we are constrained
to say that the fair author of this performance has
with pleasure any evidence of disposition on the
part of ladies to cultivate taste for and practice
art but we would respectfully suggest the propriety
OF coniu'ns the exhibition OF their early efforts to
private circle, where they are certain to command
degree OF admiration. We commend the young
lady, il she wish TO become landscape painter to
a careful study of Nature. She will then discover
that shadows are not naturally of an indigo hue
and that the color of foliage cannot be well imita-
ted with chrome and Prusslan blue. We would
also Suggest that at least of drawing, I'M
der an able master, might be advisable.
No IL Portrait of Gentleman.-G. Galloway
Really that this thing should have been admitted by
the committee, is too bad We cannot conceive
what pleasure they can take IN seeing the human
face divine" thus wantOny hbced. What colors
Mr.. Galloway uses in the conrositon Of his tints,
Is to us mystery. The flesh several parts ap-
pears TO he IN state OF gaDgIene; and the whole
has so CHASTITY an aspect, that if It bear the remoest
resemblance to the gentleman for whom 1t is H.
tended, he Is most heartily to be pltied.
No. l3S Landscape Compassionate. A. Pow
ers.-A very brilliant and well handled picture. I he
artist has evidently studied carefully the character
manner: 1t is unfortunate that he was not more
successful IN the SKI OF this picure- lacks amos
phere, and is deficient in those peary tints which
give so much value to a rich foreground
No. 2l8 Magdalen.-J. Whitehorne, N. A
That this picture will never be mistaken for Ra-
phae, IS certain 1t is coarse both IN conception
and execution We know not what color the paint
er intended his Magdalen's hair to be-pOssbly
burn-but we can assure him that 1t is more than
"approxlmating closely to, and vereng towards the
confines of positive red, and is wthal of texture
too nearly akin to rope yarn to suit our ideas OF
beauty. il requires powers OF no common order to
grapple with subject which Titan, Guido and
Domenichlno have already immortallzed and we
must say, that as yet,we think Mr.. Whitehorne has
given evidence of such capacity.
III. Landscape-W inter.-T. Cole, N. AIN
this picture, Cole is more himself again. II is full
OF truth and nature, and though not characte rsed
by the bold and magnificent effects OF some OF the
t,ht az
his pencil The sky is exquisltely aerial, and the
effect of sunset upon snow exqulsitely fine.
ll6 Morning near Sing Sing, looking over Tap
pan Bay, North River-R. Havell. very clear
and mellow picture-but much wanting in strength
in the foreground. We think, too, If the artist
would introduce less of positive blue, and more OF
grey into his distances, they would be improved -
The handling OF the picture is free and beautiful.
1923 Childhood.--S. A. Mount, N. Ave have
not before seen so dlscreditable a production, by
this clever artist. Not only IS the composition I'M
graceful, but the colorlng is OF tawdry character,
what one would hardly pardon in a French print
ga Portrait of l.. M. Hoffman, Esq-W. H.
Powell, A very liie.lke, hnely-painted portrait.
| The halt shadows about the face are manage d with
a skill and delicacy we have rarely seen exceled.
II is altogether one of the best portraits in the exhi
| bition.
| I72 The Retreat to Fort Necessity, June, 1884
| j. &. Chapman, N. Ave are not among The
most ardent of this artist 3 admirers although BY no
means nsenslble to his merits He s, we think,
most successful in cabinet pctures-or in these the
correctness OF his drawing and delcacy of coloring
atone for the want OF strength of effect But in his
larger works. the deficiency in this necessary quail
ty is apparent. The present picture s pretty
nothing mole. The essential attributes OF fine
historical work of art-energetc action and effect
of chara scuro-are wanting. Commend us TO a
picture by Chapman, on PANEL Is by 20 OF some
rustic subject, and 1t is ten TO one but we must look
far to find match for it in excele ncebut we nave
yet TO see an historical composition by him that
shall rise much above the level OF medocrity.