New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-05-23
THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF DESIGN.

The present exhibition Of this Institution opens
under very favorable auspices for besides occupying
the old rooms it contains larger number good pic
lures than any former one that now remember
The artists whose works have for the last few years
kept up the public interest in the Academy in most
instances equal to themselves while the contributions of
Page, Lutte and Others together with the works of
younger men, both in landscape and figure compost
ton impart character of gratifying and encouraging
excellence and novelty Indeed, there is quite enough
talent displayed in this exhibition to inspire the belief
that we need only liberal patronage produce works
of great technical power, of exalted imagination
thought and refined sentiment The prices paid for
pictures and the large commissions given to our artists
within few months, already indicate a beginning In
this drectiOn and should the movement be continued
new talent will be evoked, and the nation will finally
assume the same rank in painting and sculpture
which il has already won in commerce and the me-
chanic arts
II ia only by the faithful cultivation of native talent
that any people have brought art to any perfec-
ton Nor has This been accomplished by ample
love Of art but by aOTdng the occasion and necessity
for it; by erecting temples, churches and galleries,
where painting and sculpture followed as conse-
ouence We have made the best ships the best loco
motives, and the best machines for reapng and NOW
ing not before we had commerce. railroads or gram
but these being brought TO high degree OF maturity,
tine merchant the railroad contractor and the argrcu-
turs stimulated and compensated the inventive facuI
ties of the artisan and received from him IN return
workmanship Of unrivaled excellence. If we wait Tor
perfect art before employing our artists, surely we
shall have neither art artists II Is the duty OF
those persons who have charge of National, State
and other public institutions, and of wealthy gentle
men, in the construction of their private mansions 10
omit no possible opportunity to introduce an element
of art Having thus established the necessity, II
would not be long before could feel an honorable
national pride in having al least attained an equaity
in respect of the Fine Arts witt other civilized coun-
tries Then an American painting, no less than
model shin locomotive or reaper, might excite the ad-
miratiOn of the world.
We now proceed to notice some Of the more conspi'
cpous portraits and figure compositions In tins EHaoi-
,on Nos II and 255 by Elliott, are the most ehsrac'
,ersc works he exhibits this year In the former we
recognize his old manner of force and freedom in touch
and ,nr,ssiou; but in the latter We should scarcely
know him were il not for the catalogue There Is
much less than his usual vigor both IN color ana
drawing still the expression is excellent, and Tor tat
quality is not inferior to any head IN the eAholnoh'
Mr.. Hicks exhibits only one picture portrait OF
| Henry Ward Bcecher, of three quarters length II
remarkable for simplicity, vigor fee' y~ oa'e'u'
drawing, and characteristic expression IL seems ~
Us better than the admired portrait oil inc same
| subject by this artist, in former exhibition
Mr.. Huntington appears exclusively IN PORTRAITS t.e
best OF which is the head of Mr.. Verpanck' NO. o.
| The hands and accessories finely painted; .ne
head seems TO lack the intellectual character when
distinguishes the original, but it striking picture
No I2s lady, is one Of the most agreeable porraS