The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-04-29
MR.. BENEFITS LETTERS FROM EUROPE.
PARIS, March %, lS47
Ahe Fine Arts In Enrope-Amertcan Artists
Abroad.


Abroad.
A few mornings ago, went TO the Louvre, to
see the opening of the annual exhibition of living
artists. 1t was about 10 O'Clock, and already
about 1000 persons, of all ages, in every costume,
and of both sexes, had assembled in the court of
the palace, waiting with great lmpatience and
gesticulation the first opening OF the doors.
Doughty, the celebrated American landscape
painter, accompanied me, to show the way He
had sent for the exhibition most beautiful
painting of an American autumn scene, Just fin
ished by him, and he was curious to learn
whether it had been admitted, and where it had
been placed.
"A these are artists" said Doughty, "who
have sent works to the MISUNDERSTANDING to
the great crowd of diversified looking people
who surrounded US, and crowded up to the doors
of the Louvre. Many females were among
them; for many women here make painting
profession, and few reach some degree of
merit.
At length, the hour struck, and the doors were
opened What rush was then made for the
galleries what crowding upon crowding, until
the whole mass had entered Then commenced
avery curious scene. Young men in long Boards
old men closely shaver, young women in little
bonnets, fragile females in green wells, all run
ming to and fro seeking out their paintings, and
'praislng or execrating the positions in which
ley had been severally placed by the committee
on the walls of the several salons. A few of
taese agitated children of art, of course, found
tiisi -orks properly placed and disposed-but
cou bile number neither found place nor
painting What satisfied air and demeanor in
one class what gesticuations and excavations
in the other!
II odd md md
after squeezing through the crowds and hubbub
for couple of hours, left them for more elbow
room and fresher air.
The opening and exhibition of the works of
living artists is an important event in the history
Of art in Paris. There probably nearly 5000
artists of gall kinds living in this metropolis
painters, sculptors, engravers, architects, sc.
For the present exhibition over 1000 works of
art were presented of which over 5000 were
paintings, the rest were sculpture, engravings,
and designs. OF this large number, only few
over 1000 works were admitted to the exhibition
thus leaving nearly 1000 that were rejected.
This has created great sensation and a terrible
cutlery among the artists. Many of the works
rejected are said to be equal, and some superior,
TO Others that have been admitted. Indeed,
saw and read letter the other day, just written
by Horace Vernet, the greatest painter in France,
condemning the judges for rejecting a work
which was equal, and in some respects superior,
to anything of its class in the present exhibition.
Foreign artists have great chance in these ex-
hibitions-and indeed the exclusiveness is car
ried to French painters who are not connected
with, or patronised by the special agents Of the
government.
II seems there is n small committee of paint
ers, sculptors, literateurs and lawyers, who pos
sess the exclusive power Of admitting or reject
ing all works sent in for exhibition. The artists
forming this coteris exclusively patronised by
the government, and in their judgments and de-
cisons they continue to exclude large portion
of works of merit, from motives of jealousy,
rivalry, and Incidence. All young men of genius
who possess no great friend or patron attached to
the court, and also all foreigners who throw
themselves exclusively their merits, have no
fair chance, in opposition to those secret infu-
ences and purposes. Many of the most eminent
French artists in Paris refuse altogether to send
their works to the exhibition. Horace Vernet,
and few others do send theirs, because they
possess the favor and patronage Of the king.
As might be expected, under such circum-
stances an exhibition of over 1000 works of art,
will, while ii must contain many good paintings,
also show great mass of rubbish and this
is the opinion already pronounced by the public
on the present exhibition.
have since my first visit, again looked over
the exhibition, and have great deal TO in
terest me. One of the most striking paintings is
a large work of Venet's-the King and his four
sons on horseback. A large proportion of the
designs are historical and sacred-some classical
some modern-some in this world-some IN
the other There are generally few portraits in
these exhibitions, but these few are often very
fine works of art On the whole, however, did
think this large exhibition, in point OF genius, va
riety, design and coloring, equal to that which
saw in Milan last summer, or to those OF Vienna,
Dresden and Berlin--all of which witnessed in
travelling through Germany. Mr.. Doughty's
beautiful American painting of an autumnal land
scape was admitted in deed, but was placed in
most abominable light, while many other pieces
f little merit had received excelen positions
ut in certain exclusive lotteries here there is a
~ running prejudice against foreign genius !;
r45 T believe, Mr.. Morse, the successful inventor
o. tha, greatest invention Of modern times, the
electric telegraph, found it so, few years ago
when he was in Paris, exhibiting his new inven-
ton to the court and learned circles.
In the salon of sculpture / found nothing re-
rkable, but in default found an extraordinary
novelty, as well extraordinary beauty, IN
the rooms of Pcrsico, situated on Montemarte,
well known in Washington and in New York,
for the last quarter of a century. Here saw one
Of the most beautiful works of art which have
vet seen in Europe. ! do not believe any thing
can be supenor-not even the Venus de Medicis,
or Canovas Venus. OF course, this is high
praise, but all these works must be seen to APP
preciate such an opinion. Persico is a Neapoi-
tan by birth. He left his country youth, and
emigrated to the United States, about quarter
Of century ago. He commenced his career IN
Carlisle, Pennsylvania, as portrait painter. He
continued working and Studying for many years