The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-16

hn 20 much the fashion Amongst our would. DO CON.
nosseur 10 depreOiat, the ors Of American artss
and 70 dwell upon hat they are pleased 10 call their de-
nciences, mat but Tor tue external evidences which
reaon mem OF inc progress which they msking the
latter might DO tempted 10 abandon their profession In
ohsus'. In 'ne aofenoe Of the munihcent patron age
which fosters Into prolific maturity foreign genius II 10
certainly hard that the talent which unoue,on.hiv
lists amongst M should Lot even with the poor an
courssement Of impartial CRITICISM Our wealthy .oo
nocn who readily lavish their thousands on tina vork~
Of Turner IN AIRY Schefer, Ingres or = De Brake.
eer justify their neglect Of the productions Of their own
country by mparisons unfair they are fire.
queny unfounded They forget that the artist ike the
actor, In "livipg to please must please to iven and
that the sunshine Of favor necessary 10 the culture
or genius ID to the encouragement OF any other kind
Of sustained effort. Had Rubens velasqusz and Titan
been condemned TO struggle In silen! neglect like
our American painters, tho glorious conceptions which
have consecrsted their memories for oil time might
never have been embodied ON canvass. II 10 not,
therefore, assuming too much TO say that II
'ur Filth avenue vi,ttosi were only to initiate the
example Of the merchant princes Of the middle ages,
and to make point OF encouraging native talent the
results would be moro creditable to their patriotism and
TASTE 1t is certainly morfsipg that artists should
be Indebted 10 strangers for the honors rewards 10
which their merits entite them and that to the patron.
seo Va eomo vi picture C0lleCtOfG ehOuld
owe some Of the best Of our American works
There Is one branch Of art however which iy sssum
lug development In this country which fortupasey the
ukewarmnees Of pretended patrons can neither
discourage nor tard We ailude to that glorious dis.
covery on which science and art made contribute
equally to results more perfect than any to which human
genius had previously attained Notwithstanding that 10
France and England belong the merit Of the rs conoep
ton and realization OF The daguerrean and Photographic
processes, 10 our counsrymen must DO awarded the
honor Of improving upon and perecting them. Even on
their own ground, both the Engsh and French have in
this repect been disanced American artists Msyall wss
be limited TO miniature and In Paris Of the
largest and finest Photographic portraits tina. have
seen were made by American operators reserved
for our srts here however give to beth processes
the magnitude and expansion necessary to salts
factory results. Few aware Of the immense sums
and years Of painful trial which have been experienced
In bringing them 10 their present high state Of perfection
To Mr. Brady, Of Broadway belongs the credit Of being
not only the earliest pioneer In this new field Of explors
ton but OF having made the largest sacrifices To mpAr
to ito results the attributes Of what ID called high art
The principles that guide the portrait painter In tho treat
nert Of bis subject, by him nrst suocesfaly ap
piled 10 the sciennc process and the care was be-
slowed by him the afxr manipulation which 10 usual
~ only lavshed carefully elaborated painting. The
result has been not only to give to the Photographic art
this country an and widely extended popu
larty, but to for European reputation Bra.
dys portraits have long been sought after by European
engaves faithful and artisticsl types combining the
requisites Of graceful pictures and correct kenesses
Amongst the well deserved rbates which daily
pour in upon this excellent artist from abroad take
Pleasure In copying the following from Mr. Diane, the
principal editor Of the London 1p who took the oppor
tupity Of sng 10 Mr. Brady during his recent visit 10
this country
TIE TINES oFYIcs, Dec. 2e, 1865
Pray accept my very cordial thanks for the beautiful
portrsi you have bten good enough 10 send me.
Nothing 10 perfect has been this side OF
the Atlantic and has excited very lively interest, not
only snopg my lends, who value II as nksoess but
among professional men and Photographic artists who
regard II only II sdmrabls specimen Of their ART
For myself, will be always one OF the mos, agreeable
souvenirs OF a most pesssnt aad Instructive journey.
Yours ever faithfully, JOHN J. DEJANE
II is unnecessary to add word OF comment 70 the
sbove. II proves that American art and American ar
usts stand In higher estimation abroad than pseudo
art critics willing TO admit. Verify, no man iss
prophet In his own country