New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-06-18

As pretend to no such knowledge OF Art as
would Justify me in attempting to criticise such
an Exhibition, shall only speak of it in guarded
and general terms, Prohtlng so Tar as may by the
better judgment OF friends.
think the general voice pr0caims this the
fullest and most instructive exposition OF works
of living artists made, though no single work
ia pointed out as distinguished alike by merit and
originality There are probably three hundred
pictures and statues which have already made
regulations for their authors and taken prizes at
former Exhibitions think as many as two hun
bred of the best French works are marked in the
catalogue as owned by the Emperor, who must
have been very industrious as well as liberal
patron of the Arts since he put the Treasury of
France into his pocket Among these is Couture's
"Decadence of the Romans" first exhibited in
lS47, and which seems worthy of its high fame
/ note also that Louis Napoleon contributes Della
croix's fearful Massacre of the Greeks of Scio,"
(by the Turks in ls22,) which was probably pur
chased before its present owner undertook to
maintain Turkish domination and Christian sub
lection in the fairest portion OF Europe. The Cap
ture of Constantinope by the Crusaders, (ostensi-
bly, the Allies of its Geek Emperors,) under the
French Count Baldwin and the Venetian Doge
Dondolo (also painted by Delacrox and contrib
uted by the Emperor is now very suggestive.
think the pictures that attract the most gener-
j al regard, though perhaps not the most critical
admiration, are three by Wmterbotter of the En-
pTtte Iuktult-Nhc iai EceN Htt statcu
In the midst of her maids of honor 1t has a back
ground of ultra-tropical vegetation, whose intense
green throws into strong relief the bright faces and
figures of the ladies; and the whole is calculated
to confirm the general impression that Eugene is
rare beauty, though il may not so clearly estab-
lish the claim of Winterbotter TO be accounted a
great painter Yet il is certain that this Exhbi-
fion has exalted French Art in the estimation OF
the strangers here congregated
Among the British Painters here represented |
mark the names OF Eastlake, Landseer, Leslie, Ma
elise, Mulready, Stanfeld, Dyce Catternole Mil
las, Chalon, and some others. The interest of this
department centers mainly in its ample specimens
of the Pre- Raphaeiife school, concerning which Mr.
Rushn has awakened a zeal which seems not al
ways according to knowledge as also of painting
in Water Colors in which the British exhibition is
really excellent. Among these number of minia-
lures by T. Carrick, Sir w Ross and H. ThOrburn
deserve high place-that of Thomas CARLYLE by
Carrick is admirable
think this Exhibition will increase the number
IL il should not improve the standing of the Pre-
Rapbaelltes Their patient and pains taking
fidelity in the representation of foliage, &c, i
generally remarked and approved some of their
landscapes are at least pleasing. The drowned
Opheha, by Millais, is picture after their manner
which many will condemn, but | defy any 10 pass
il without earnest scrutiny. | might deem il a
merit that the love-orn maiden lies very stiff and
riga IN the enallON III SEdSS MccUS
which encompass her did not seem quite as rigid
as her deserted clay. The Prisoners Release, by
the same artist is less faulty but then its merits
are also less remarkable.
II were to name the British painting which
seemed to me on hasty view most impressive,
should instance the Burial of King Harold in
Wsltbsm Abbey, by f. Il. PcSersgill never
saw grief unsoitened by hope yet unembittered by
remorse more truly and forciby depicted.
The Americans who contribute to this depart
ment of the Exhibition are G. p. Healy, I. Z.
Ressiter, G. z. Cranch, X. Gignoux, w p Bah
cock, IL. r Hunt, W. NJ. Hunt, ID. b. Wallcut, A
Powers, j. Robertson, (painters) r. G., Green
oueh and f. Warburg, (sculptors) OF the paint
ers all but Oignon1 are, or lately were, residing in
Paris and, as 4 New Yorker, I thank Mr.. G. for
his four very ereditable landscapes contributed
two OF them depicting scenes on the Hudson at
West Point and near Rondout; the others repre-
senting Winter scenes in Vermont and New-Hamp-
shire. am confident that MIR. Gignoax will not