The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-07


the n the National Academy Of Design eS3 Broad
way large number Of invited guests comprising lite
rary artists, and patrons Of art. The company
must have exceeded three hundred persons The time
mentioned for supper in the invitation was o'clock but
that part Of the entertainment did not commence till
o'clock. An hours delay for supper is generally very
tedious and irksome On the present occasion 1t
quite different. Never an hour spent more
sgccaby the feast Of art before the eye and
the mind and acceptable treat to every
who not slave to appetite than the choicest
banquet spread the table of royalty OF all the
fine that which claims the highest niche in the tenn
pie Of genius, aud brings nearest to the gods Is
painting; and other affords the amount OF intel
ectual enjoyment the art that inmortalisc the
artist his subject despoing time Of half his theft,
conurng up with the wand Of the enchanter
immediate kindred, and the kindred Of all the world
the departed spirits of the mighty dead.n
The brilliantly illuminated with gas and on
the walls not spot to be seenthey CO.
with the creations Of genius All that wanting
complete sasfaction the catalogue which had not
fom the hands Of the tardy printer The company
promenaded through every apartment and criticised
cond, mncd admired Whether in the number or the
merits Of the pictures the exhibition for this sad-
mttcd all hands to have ecpsed every exhibition Of
the past The improvement is chiefly in heads and land
scapes the former constituting by far the largest proper
high Of talent The lfe-ike expression the tone,
the colorng and the finish all mark the evident progress
that in this country in the divine art Of
Neuxs and Appees, Michael Angelo and Raphael, Cor
leggo and Salvador Rosa, Rubens and Rembrandt, Mu
rlo and Claude Reynolds and Lawrence and Barry,
own West and Coplcy, and Trumbul and Aston and
Inman. 1t is true that Of the compositions
possess small the wonder is that there
Il this class among large collection and in
country where the fine arts still in their infancy
and under such circumstances it is well to encourage
the antcst and the feebet indications Of talent
every plant of native genius and make racy of
the soil In despite Of disadvantages painting in this
country has been extensively cultivated than any
Of the sister arts and portrait painting which has be-
ceme a profitable pursuit has attained to very high
degree Of perfection 1t has been asked, why 30 little
progress has been made in historical painting in America
The is not for want Of native talent but from
of encouragement either from the government
from individuals Money has not yet been sufficiently
accumulated here in the hands Of Of high education
and fine reward the efforts Of genius in this the
highest partment Of the Strange it may appear
at first blush the general diffusion wealth and prosperi
t is the that retard the production great
historical paintings in the United States But the day
not distant when, in this respect America will
rival every other nation in the world Hitherto she has
been too busy building up her liberty and her national
institutions In her leisure she will add the ornamental
to the useful The history Of the Roman people affords
parallel. From the foundation Of that empire till it
had attained its highest pitch Of grandeur painting
but little practis,d patronised though the immortal
works Of Greece, the Of arms and arts were so
largely imported and afforded abundant incentives to
genius. This warlike people too much occupied
with schemes Of aggrandzement and military glory to
devote much attention to the cultivation Of the fine arts
Yet did Italy in her aferrepose produce the greatest
painters the world has yet Who say that
America will not give birth to historical school
that will reach the height Of her mighty destiny
These reflections suggested by the glowing
passed from picture to picture and cast the minds
eye back into the past and forward into the future. We
observed in the collection fine English cattle picture,
lent 10y Miss Carey Of Philadelphia to grace the exhibit
tion. 1t is by Cooper and 200 guncas But the OBJ
ject that attracted most attention not painting
but creation of the sister art Of sculpture. 1t
infant, by T. d Palmer Of Albany, which he calls the In
FAINT Ceres hut Is said to be exact likeness Of his
child The marble Is perhaps the purest piece Of Italian
stone behed. Never there anything so
fine in the whole Of large statue The snowy white
nessthc exquisite form and symmetry but above all the
perfect finish this work by man, who, years ago
war a carpenter, elected the most unbounded admira
ton from every spectator Mr. Palmer bids fair u be
tie sculptor OF America.
supper having been announced, the guests shown
they had Yet The ranges Of tables
covered with every dcacy and luxury both Of food aud
drink But there would not be for half the mum
be. If those present Sit there seats placed and
all stood together upon the perfect level Of republican
equality When justice was done TO the excellent vani
Mr. sIrpcrss called the meeting order and p, posed
the toast Of The National Academy Of Design
Mr.. DtR,Np, the President. responded follows
Gentlemen in responding to the sentiment just express
ed cannot do less than ak your attention to few
lrf r'marks in relation 70 the academy will not de-
tain you by minute details Of it, history although my
feelings awaken remins>ceocc not irrelevant to
the occasion nor perhaps unnercting 10 many present
(Arpauc l. sufficient for To state, that in invit
ing you to examine the works constituting the twenty
sixth annual exhibition that this academy j. the rt and
only Institution in the country devoted to the cultivation
At the Of design founded and governed solely by
tists-ihat II originated in the firm conviction in the
tution-that although 1t opposed by powerful ind
vdnsl Interests, and mpcded ly innumerablc obstacles
ing prosperity with the exception OF an interruption
recently encountered, and which trust Il but tempo
rary) tor the .pace u quarter a century-that u
has Instituted End maintained for nearly all that period
free fehoo for the study Of the antique and living model
and ia which from forty to fifty students have been annual
~ adnitted- Cheers that established
and in successful operation than the artistic reputation
a this city from rank subordinate 10 sister
cities, till II stood. II stands deservedy above
them might advert perhaps with degree Of feel
ing to the Of public apathy as well private in
freIcs towards the interests q in connection
with this academy, which have cast shade Of di-cour
agement during the last few year; hut forbar
IN the hcs n,pircd by pr,snt prospects, that the cloud
has paced away; and. indeed. more agreeable task
await N" In referring do with pleasure. to the evil
d.nce - increang activity unnnnliiy and
81 pufose In the entir. body II artists towards the
arg, and elevation Of their sphere 81 influence
l have alluded TO temporary interruption in IT.
prs pcrity; but hardly realize the fact If any in
teiIuyfion when look upon Tia. collection which
these walls; believe that exhibition
IL it, character In extent aud varied mcrt-unsur-
passed perhaps unequaled ~ any other offered
the public In this country-can fail 70 meet just ap
probation and corresponding support, aud such
grounds prefer to rcst claims 70 cncouragemcut
tarpauseand e. the profession IL true position
in the rahks Of intellectual power conclude accord
I iney. ~ Offering this sentiment
" Union ard harmony u action. aud compromise. II
necessary. among all institutions devoted 10 the cause
4 u art"
This sentiment vas received With the most ,nthusi.
astic applique.
( Mr. VS. WNktr then prorosed-
The health of the President of the American Art
/ Union"
Mr. coSuss being loudly called on, then ssidrt gives