The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-21

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ever was pr. sented. just one-tbird of the paint
ings offered were accepted; and the catalogue,
which last year contained 1889 numbers. contains
this year bat l,577l $50 paintings, 270 pieces OF
sculpture, and 2O7 cngravings, Autographs, and
| architectural designs. Six OF the great artists
Dias, lngres, Delacour, Fleury, AIRY Schelber, and
Dcaroche-havc contributed nothing, and the
| younger and less known artists hope that their abb
sence may be a means Of advancement for them
selves. An anecdote was told me by candidate
for admission, that proves that, even with a compe
tent and conscientious jury, good luck may some
| times be as necessary element of success as at
| the faro table, or in any other game of chance.
| Ten excellent pictures had been excessively
| placed upon the easel before the committee, and
had been, one after the other, unanimously ad
united. They were succeeded by picture which,
by contrast with its predecessors, seemed hardly
worth acceptance, and was quite severely black
balled. The man employed in carrying the pic
lures back and forth accidentally returned this
jected subject to the room containing the candi-
dates not yet examined. 1t thus obtained another
chance the next day, and was not recognised as
familiar face by any of the jury happened to
come at the heels of rather Indifferent view, and
its merit by contrast again, Immediately securedit
a favorable hearing. II was accepted, with only
two dissentent voices Another proof of the railty
OF mutual nature and the fallibilty ofal human
judgment.
The exposition, spite Of the severity of the jury
Is, think, extremely mediocre, considered both
with and without reference to those of previous
years. The next will doubtless be superior, the
rigors of the examination will compel the artists to
more conscientious exerton oftheir talents Horace
Vernet exhibits his Taking Of Rome" ordered by
the Minister of the Interior for the government
Wonderful is M. Vernet's genius, it will not
make the expedition to Rome to live in history
great military exploit; and it will not prevent it
| from taking its place among the great political
errors Coust, the painter of Rigolette, exhibits
full length portrait of the Archbishop of Par
is Landelle, two beautiful illustrat of the
Sermon on the Mount" Blessed those that
weep" and f" Blessed are the pure in heart' Con-
der sends three boux Elk inches square, represent
ing vine-stock with grapes, porcelain vase,
&c. These were bought, the first day of the
exposition, by M. do Morny. Theissonnier
hibits a young man choosing his sword" &c,
&c. The improvement in the works Of some of
the aspirants is quite marked since the exposition
| of 1851. Quite numerous generation
ing out very comfortable inches in the temple Of
fame. Tho only American admitted to the gal
lery, and believe the only one who a candi-
date this year, is Mr.. William Hunt, a native of
Brattleboro', Vermont, but for many years pupil
of Couture in this city. He offered two pictures,
and both were accepted one Of them, fortune
teller, is remarkable. both in composition and CO.
loring and promises well for the future of
its author.
The department Of sculpture is marred by the
indiscriminate admission of an inordinate number
of busts of the President There are no less than
FIVE of these: by Nine. Deumer, ordered by
the Minister of the Interior; one by Nj. Barre;
by M. Payre, &c. Count d'Orsay has contributed
a bust of Jerome Bonaparte; M. Adam Salomon
two studies in marble and one in bronze; M. Gle
singer, a'statutc of Tragedy Of the size of life
ordered by the Minister Of the InDrior for the peri
style of the theatre Francois; Nj. Etex, group re-
presenting the city of Paris imploring God for the
victims Of the cholera; M. Farocben, a statute of
"Firmness." ordered by the government for the
courthouse of Chaons; and M. Pradier, a Sappho
M Cudne, the engrnver of the dies for the coins of
the late republic, exhibits a medallion commence
rative of the ID Of December described as follows
| in the catalogue: On the face is "Louis Napoleon
Bonaparte, led by wisdom confoundng the hydra
of anarchy; France gratefully bestowing upon
| him the civic crown" On the reverse, 1.-THE
| Prince President Of the Republic" Then there lie
the President in wax, in bronze, in plaster, cut
upon cameo; a medal, commemorative OF bis birth,
of his election; and various aegorical designs re-
| presenting his apothcosis, and guaranteeing his
everlasting Immortality.
In short, the exposition, spite OF the elimination
| Of some two thousand works Of art presented for
acceptance, is still unworthy of Paris. But mas
much there are vastly fewer pictures than in the
gallery of last year, their collective value is pro-
badly much greater, being in The inverse ratio OF
| the supply. j have seon pictures admitted last
year cold at auction within two months for fifteen,
| twenty, and twenty five francs Ices than the cost
price Of the frame.
Nj. Paul Mcurce, co-editor with Victor Hugo's
sons and M. Vaoquerie, of the Avenement, has re-
turned TO his former profession Of dramatic author,
though still confined in prison. His last work. en-
titled Beuvenuto Cellini, has achieved an immense
success at the Porte ST. Martin. NJ. Melingue,
| who is no less eminent ns a sculptor than an
actor, and who performs the character Of Cellini,
| in n moment Of inspiration sezes a mass Of shape
less clay, as his inamorata crosses the stage at
distance and under tho eye of the spectator, ella
boratcs 90 wonderfully correct model OF the fair
original that the audience, on the fret night were
almost wild with enthusiasm, and rewarded thi.
genuine artistic feat with all the traditional scenic
honors. M. Melnguc, by the way, exhibits a very
beautiful statuette at the exposition Of this year
An Andalusian piece in one act, which was writ
ten TO introduce Lola Monies, called Ro,ita is II
rehearsal at one Of the theatres; young lady no
yet known TO fame will make her debut in tn
part intended for the countess.
La Dame our CoBieli,, which has been playc,
for fifty successive nights, with the exception o
Sunday, and which will easily reach ts bundredtl
representation, is to be withdrawn for two night
during passion week, 10 give Nine. Doche op
portunity TO repose from her arduous dutics whic
beginning visiby tJafTect her health. The Come
die Franchise is in a vein Of unwontcd prosperity
Rachel is soon, however, to leave for a tour in tb
provinces. The Italian opera has 81. sed leaving
fearful balance the wrong side Of tho ledger
With this exception, the dramatic art is flourish
ing. and managers have no reason TO complain
y The authors have been unusually industrious an
painstaking since the coup d'efaf and full house
are the nightly portion Of all the theatres who's
efforts deserve success.
The Able Coqucrcau has been appointed chic
slmoner Of the French marine. NJ Coquerca
almoner Of the frigate La Belle -Poule in whic
> the ashes Of Napoleon brought from st. lie
= lena by the Prince dc Joinville
|