The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-06

A specimen of SfeTeo- chronic, the mode of
frcsco painting, says letter from Munich, about
which German artsts now sanguine, has
just been completed in Kaulbach's studio here from
design Of his own, and painted by one OF his pu-
pills under his own eye. II is figure Of a Prophet,
and is intended for the great exhibition in London.
The figure, grand and majestic as il Is, cannot be
expected to give the English public any thing but
faint idea of Kaulbachs genius. As specimen OF
ths new and much extolled mode OF painting, 1t
will be regarded with curiosity.
Sterso- chronic is the discovery Of the distinguish
cd chemist, the ObUgraM Won Fuchs; and by Ger
ARTISTS considered one OF the great discovc-
ries of the age. Its advantages over ordinary
fresco and encaustic painting are is greater dura
bility and the power which il affords the painter Of
retouching and glazing his picture. The color Is
mixed with water; and the whole 10 permanently
fixed by occasional kings of water in which
is mixed certain proportion Of huorc acid, GLASS
spafh saure)
The discovercr, Professor Won Fuchs, of Munich,
has had to undergo all the opposition and calousies
incident to discoverers in general. Though now,
in his old age, his invention Ia made use OF in the
new frcscocs at Berlin. it 10 possible that he may
die without rcaping any personal beneht from Il.
On this account his artist fricnds.M. Won Raul
bach in particular-are DESTROYS that q specimen
of il should obtain conspicuous place in the great
exhibition of 1861. For this purpose M Kaulbach
has allowed one of his designs TO be copied by M.
MUIR one of his pupils. II il in size six feet long,
by some what less than six feet wide. M. Kaulbach
wishes it particularly 10 be understood that this is
not sent as york qf art, but simply as specimen
OF the new invention.
Stereo chronic is, in fact preserver Of the wall
on which it is painted By the chemical action OF
the solution sprinklcd over the picture whilst in
progress the whole ground on which 1t ia painted,
and the picture itself, become one hard, fiinty mass,
and the very colors converted into the hardest
stone. So hard, indeed, il it, that neither fire nor
damp has the slightest effect on it. The most
striking experiments have been made to test it dur
ing the last twelve years. and, in order to show our
informant the resistant power OF the painting, M
Kaulbach laid specimen on the ground, poured
spirits of wine profusely over 1t, and set 1t on fire;
but after the combustion not q stain or scar re-
manned on the picture. In note now before us, M.
Muir, the artist who has painted the specimen,
says:
"The picture is upon piece of wainscot covered
with mortar, and the wall which stereo
chronic fresco ia to be executed undergocs GER
tain preparation. Then, the colors are not COM
bned, as in H. resco, with lime, but with solution
of silex and all the advantages of rcsco painting
are obtained without any Of it's disadvantages.
This species of painting resists every influence OF
climate, and may be confidently used as an exter-
nal coating Tor buildings in any part OF the world
To the artist himself it offers the most important
recommendations. He is not confined to time in
executing it, He can leave off when he pleases,
and for any length of time, which he cannot do in
fresco work by any means, nor in oil painting cx-
cepting within certain limits. The highest advnn-
tage Of ALL however, is, that the same part may be
which 10 not possible in fresco; and consequently,
in this.new mode the most perfect harmony may
be preserved throughout the largest possible paint
ing. In fresco the artist is the slave Of his mate
rials; here he il their arbitrary master to the full
eat EXTENT - - tti