The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-10-18

concerned-a single word may restore harmony.
Let HIM speak it.
The WAR OF THE ART UNloNs.-This amusing
and funny war is still going on. We have been
applied 10 by the friends of both to take sides with
them but we decline entering the lists in any
capacity but that of bottle holder, to fair play
between the combatants. Thus far, the fight
stands we'll The American Art Union still CONT
nue. their prodgous onsets against the Interna-
tonal; and we find ia cotemporary of yesterday
the following, which was intended as most awful
hit against the latter
Those persons who understand thoroughly the cha
racter either Of Msssrs Goupil Vibert Co.'S
tile establiahment. or OF their euogist will have 10
difficulty in forming just estimate Of the real cha
Iacter Of the foreign prints thus to public
For the ghteDmsnt Of those who less informed
upon these points send you herewith. for your own
gers of the International Art Union, which appeal to
more advanced stage Of taste than those OF the Ame
ricsn Art Union. 1t is highly colored picture Of
naked fem ale the style of rrench
art IL is entitled Erigone and bears the imprint OF
and Goupil Vibert 4 Co, ass Broad way, New York
besides having been copyrighted by them and bearing
fur ~ " to claim the sole and undivided Gre
dit OF it's authorship the imprint Goupn. Vipert
Co.. Editeursn cannot for obvious reasons, say any
thing of the character of this print which is only
of class in which the managers OF the Interna
tionsl Art Union" extensive dealers. Whether it
is be distributed Of their prizes not,
say they have yet informed their sub
scribers what pictures they intend to distribute It
will not however, be found the wall Of their gsery
nor in the window Of their print shop tor the obvious
that it would be too likely to invite visit from
the police That French print selling house, looking
solely to private emoiument, should publish and sell
such pictures 10, perhaps, not surprising But l. for
one, should prefer that the market for "wares in
this country should remain for u long time "unoccu
Ii the American public permit themselves be ssduced
into the patronage and support Of an establishment
dealing in them under the shallow and hypocritical
pr,text encouraging love Of art and promoting in
America that more advanced stage of taste which
prevails abroad and which looks upon art as the pander
to impurity and vice.
Possibly this is the commencement Of sort of
"moral war" on the international establishment,
or the "French house," as j; is called; but such
curious notices will excite the interest of vast
number OF those who patronise painting and pain
tiers, and operate to the disadvantage of the Ame-
rican Art-Union. What is the objection In point
Of taste,-for We know nothing OF the subject of this
print The Venus de Medicis is considered the
chef d'Gurre of the civilized world. Does that
statue drapery OF any kind Even the
"Greek Slave" now exhibition in this city, and
from the chisel of an American artist of whom the
country mey well be proud, has not yet put any
peiticoats, We are Informed. All criticisms Of
this description, and attacks founded such prln-
ciples, will undoubtedly operate much in favor Of
the International Art-Unlon, and against the Ame-
mean. In fact, these amusing attacks, made on the
former by the latter, may be considered series of
the best advertisements, published gratuitousy,
that any rival establishment could give another
The American Art-Union, by the notices already
published, has contributed notonety and publicity,
to the value of fifty or sixty thousand dollars, in
favor of the INTERNATIONAL the French house, as
il is called. If the managers of the latter estab
shment understand the game, and if they pos
cess the facility of procuring good paintings from
French artists, and make great effort at the lot
tery which will take place next winter, they will
be enabled, in five years, TO upset the American
| Art.U Union, on their own ground, and by their own
weapons.
Seriously We never saw a set Of managers, pos
sessed of common sense, exhibit such want OF that
necessary article as those of the American Art
Union DO, in the very silly onset they have made
against the French print sellers In Broadway, as
they call the International Art Union. The conse-
quence will be 10 give publicity and notoriety to
! the French establishment and if the managers
avail themselves of those advantages, they can
fer into a serious and long competition with the
American Art Union, which may turn very much
TO the disadvantage of that institution, in a few
years. Now, we wis IA them both to succeed. We
shall endeavor to take such acourse in this contro
versy as to benefit art in general, and TO assist
painters and artists OF every land, as well as to
increase the public taste in this country, for the fine
arts. in the most advanced stage of cultivaton-not
caring what they call themselves, or wherce they
come from. Ifartsts and paintings possess merit,
either here or esewhere-in this country, or in the
old world-let us give them fair and liberal sup
port. The conduct Of the American Art Union,
IN their silly and absurd onset on rival institution,
mphtbe very judicious in conducting a speculation
in Wall street, or venture Of Goldfish to the Med-
terranean, or lumber in the Pacific but such a
policy is at war with the principles Of the fine arts,
and contrary to the genius of modern civilization
and tas,e.
RAisrso THR DEAD John o. Sargent, the smart
little writing editor Of the Washington Republic, is
endeavoripg to dig out Of obscuniy, old Noah, who