The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-04
METROPOLITAN MUSINGS.
Another Peep at the Pictures.

AnUtHcI FCCP ~ the FlCIuTeb
Finding it quite too warm to be amusing the Middle
Aged Man went forth, evening last week, to be
amused and exc to be instructed Visions Of green fields
dancing the paper upon which he was striving
to pen his thoughts and his thoughts would longer
be penned imaginary odors of hay foated to
him, suggesting the notion of those old scadogs who
they scent the land breeze three four hundred
miles out the but like the bridge Sira be-
tween the Uttered study of the Man and those fair fields
the two olden-time enemies of human JOY time and
distance and hot and dusty enough to daunt
bolder pleasurcsceker. When cannot the Infinite
pencngs, have great love for visiting the work of
finite artist, striving to draw from his representa-
ton the inspiration of the real 1t was in such mood
that took possession Of lounge in the bachelor quar-
tiers of friend whose poetry sometimes gaces the col
umns of the Union, Around were the handwritings
of the great in art could almost believe that
proud calm consciously strohg face OF Pope Paul III
drawn by any hand but the great Titan at
least like the librarian of the Musee Royae at Naples
to whom Is ntrusted the undoubted original and proba
bic duplicate Of this picture only say il Titan
picture lost should be sorry to be caught with
this one in my possession.
know it is not fair to reveal the secrets of the liter
airy prison house, but If my friend does write good poetry
think he ought to thank his pictures for much of the
inspiration. Almost any could write poetry while
that Shower of Gold which, like its mythic original
hidden from proane eyes, Having had some little ex-
peence of the marvellous way in which pictures by old
masters spring up and multiply all the continent of
Europe and having been duly initiated into the tricks of
the Cron am confirmed sceptic as to the presence
of genuine originals in this country When esteemed
friend wakes eloquent the possession of an un-
doubted old master, outwardly smile, and inwardy
whistle with private cognomenal ejaculation which, if
were detected in its uttennce should say referred to
my respect for the distinguished photographer Walker
In the collection of Mr. Il. ID. II. Janvier, however
which propose to notice in DETAIL there arc sew
era unquestionsbe originals and others that have fair
show of probability their side 1t is to be regretted
that SO large wealth of art should be crbbcd cabnned
and confined in bachelors quarters and beg to bring
my Introductory remarks to close by suggesting that
the possessor of many charms ION canvas, of coursc
owes it to society and his pictures make such domestic
arrangements would enable him to give greater space
to his collection though hung with great judicousness,
il is impossible to the sense of being crowded
and iostled, when large number of and beautiful
things compressed into one parlor If it be
tolerably large one.
The most valuable painting in Mr.. Janvers collection
is the Pope Paul M and of the extreme probability that
it is Titan, being duplicate of the acknowledged
painting in the Musee Royal, have already spoken.
Beyond the mathematical criticism Of art, that which is
governed by lines, curves and shadlngs there is
tain ndescribabe character In the production Of old
master which imitation, however accuratc can
ever borrow Judged by this standard well by all
Others nothing but its presence in America would lead
any to doubt its authenticity Right here it
to to correct popular facy about the pictures by
old masters many people sneer at the estimation in
which such productions held because they suppose
is the old which is admired when in fact it is the skill
of the master doubtless there hundreds of men
temporary with the matersouls in art of whom hear
nothing and whose works not sought for, because
they not remarkable for any special gift but Just
the most remarkable artists of time will al
ways I've priced do value those who held relative
position four FIVE hundred years ago There many
men and who make tolcrabe dogs and horses
on canvas whose pictures will be worth very little three
centuries hence but fancy the amateurs Of that distant
day will pay fabulous prices for Landseer Rosa Bon
heur.
To return to the collection, there Is portrait of King
VILLAIN he Third when child, in which the artist Van
der Dom has grated his love Of the allegoca by rep
rescnting the youthful prince blowing bladders while
before him the ectng treasures of money and jewels
and the more reliable wealth indicated by open mis-
sal the cooring Is very good, and the picture Ia
striking one but the gem of portraits is the Dueess De
Ia Yale by Mignard in which the lips seem about to
part the eyes TO move and the bosom OF which thorc