New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-11-20
PRIVATE VIEW At THE INSTITUTE
OF FINE ARTS.

eye bewdered by the confused and overaid archec
ture Of the great thorougare. lie chasie and pure
expression ia well in keeping with the character and
design Of the structure Worthy worship of Art, tse
divinity of all the sentiments, cannot be fulfilled IN
temple undistingushed fro the shrnes of selfish ador-
alton Of the Almighty Dollar. The distinction is
clearly but modestly drawn the surface Of the new
Institute and declares ts conservation TO the higher
service by graceful architecture which resss at once
the pressure Of front and the malign influence
Of signs of golden letters foot in length. Broadway
has many edifces along it, gtering line more nnpos
ing than it, but that impresscs itself with natn
raj a charm upon the passing spectator. In kaleido-
scope Of more lees appalling monstrosities of size
material, shape and outer decoration it one clear
and undefaced image. May the building be sacred
forever from the rude famiIiaries of the sgnboard,
and mutely reproach the vulgar display Of figured
bunting and emblazoned PAPER!
The good taste that elevates the external proper
tons into respected dignity which their superficial
area does not give Them has been carried inside the
Institute, and pervades the galleries with simple
and harmonious eolos and lights, and unobtrusive ele
gnce Of appointment that they satisfy the most pous
devotee of the beautiful and attractive and pleas
ant independent Of the art treasures with which they
are filed. TIE main saloon is reached by "a broad
stairway from the street and extends directly to Mer
Ger street. 1t is amply and well lighted by day BY
three skyights ard by night eircets of gases shed
lusier which would show to the bert advantage the
higher and lower ranges of pictures if they were all
disposed with reference to their own light and shadow
In the present arrangement devised, of course, with
haste the intrinsic briancy Of color of several
works if neuiazed by the glare of gas. The fur
niture is light and rich; the walls are covered with
green baize, cord sustained by handsome brackets
protects the canvas from itching fingers, soft carpet
deadens the tread Of feet and secures their rev.
erenoe, and comforting lounges ranged IN the
center Of the room invite to quiet contemplation.
Adjoining at the Mercer-stree end, are coy apart
ments for retiring parties and acove, which varies
the symmetry Of the saloon This gallery contains the
familiar Dusseldorf collection These pictures glow
ing with the genius of natural study of natural forms
and appealing with the subtle power TO the SIM
ples sensibiy and the seyeres taste, have now for
the iiIst time in New-York fair exhibition. "A few
choice pieces Of sculpture also here, newest and
most winning of which is medallion, ." Marguerite
by Launt Thompson. It's delicate sentiment, and It's
singular softness Of delineation, will design celebrity
for the young artist which, if we moi mistaken, his
bust Of "The Trapper," which ia still in the clay will
abundantly realize.
There two smaller galleries, each as rieh as the
greater in the taste of the designer and offering al the
fine indictments of wel-blent light ard color to the
study Of their contents. If the remote intention OF
Mr.. Derby Is carried out and the main saloon Is divided
into three compartments the effect Of an extended and
brilliant perspective will be lost 10 the common visitor;
but the art-student will gain in unique suite of gal
leries all the advantages of concentrated view These
two small rooms contain the Jarves Collection of Old
cF of
enthusiastic in the reconcile affairs of historical ustr-
ton. We are informed by the indispensable guide to
appreciation, if not to emotion, that it is mainly I'M
por4nt in showing that it is possible, even now,
when means and knowledge are practically applied,
to fill in part the chasm that separates US 90 widely
in artistic enioymen. and information from the PEG
O. pie of Europe" and this il certainly no slight con
sideraticn sin this country, where there exists no
standard Of comparison and but little critical knowl-
" edge Of Old Masters.'"
If Art were an oracle dumb to all humanity except
a little ccle Of students and explorers-f she were
cold and distant spirit to be invoked only by weary
Ienanee and PROSTATE petitionfTe were Of ANY other
faith than the simple which has nature for it, base
and sympathy for it, cap-sone, and cngs to Art as
the oommonest medium between the creature and the
benefcent Creator and the panspoken Interpreter to
all hearts that incline TO her generous teachings of the
splendid meanings of all the forms Of life, we might
shrink under this suggestion Of the eloquent Catalogue
within the shrine Of this dim and struggling Past and
amid the quaint results of all the patient research
Throughout the mausoeums fItalanp
expressions of Genius gapplngfeeby with superstition
might regard with ptying tolerance the crowd ON
among the literal ransatiOns Of the Dusseldorf school
But while it is meet to honor the spirit which has
PROMPTED this collection Of old masters, and not in
poesible to appreciate properly the immense delight
that the tuored mind may experience IN tracing
through their strange records the progress OF Art ana
it, growing mastery Of the spiritual Power which gave
il birth LET us imperayey claim the privilege Of the
heartiest sympathy WITH and deepest pleasure IN the
less difficult studies Of own contemporary
artists. Ii may not be profane TO intimate th;it
with al their sngularity and all their sGg-
gestiveness, the old pictures hanging IN the small
| galleries are but the weak and fettered
images which stand free and beautiful in the familiar
canvas Of the Dusseldorf Gallery. Ithe public is more
amused than edited by the early types of the creative
faculty in form and color and finds in the soernn ab-
suriities Of the antique nothing more than an
emphasis of the honest glores of the moderni H. IN
deed in lie stubbonness it brushes aside from rs nain-
raj fancy the series Of documents showing the esfi'
| ton in which the collection Is held by English
French Italian, and American authorities, shall 1t be
made responsible for another stumbling block IN the
way Of American An!
Criticism of this extraordinary collection confined as
il if TO the narrow circle in which there ia standard
of comparison. wonld he Impairment and after the
brief inspection Of a private view preslmptnouS
Tie charming novelty Of the rooms, the vast advan-
tages Of a refined center Of Art in the metropolis, and
the curiosities of the display the agreeable topics