New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-11-22
OPENING Exh TBITTOM
FRENCH AND FLEMISH PAINTINGS.


The opening Of galleries of foreign pictures mas %
come an annual event in this city, imo ''"'."s
mark Of the growing cultivation Of taste in art mons
1t is one which all must observe MN piea'aie'
and which none have less cause 10 regret than our ma
tive artists. Supply and demand must keep pace "'''
each other in ant ar in everything else, and il owing
in come measure to the introduction Of foreign scnoo"
that our own young men have, within few years
made rapid strides to excellence and have ready
given a respectable position to American art in other
countries. Whether the smulant was needed or not
it has its natural consequence and the more the An Ter
lean public know Of good painting the more likely ey
are to encourage its native growth.
The third annual exhibition Of pictures Of the Fre Sd
and Flemish schools opened last evening at Goa
pills Gallery Tie occasion called together largo
assembly Of the lovers Of art, among them conno's-
seurs full Of enthusiasm and knowledge, artiss eager
10 observe the improvements and changes which syesr
had produced among their distinguished ooemporaries
abroad and possibly few who have little knowlsdgs
and less taste but who 60 TO swell the crowd or all
such occasions. II but natural that in the buzz OF
comment one should mark the lively dstncness OF the
admiration OF French men and French women ~ they
criticized and were enaptured with after another
of the works of the cherished names Of their own
country. The appeal to them was not merely one 10
their love Of good pictures but to their NATIONAL feeling
also and they had good reason in showing patrlotie
pride in such an evidence Of the genius and talent Oh
those whose works are go familiar 10 them. With
them perhaps this feeling would stand instead OF cool
criticism in the excitement of rst exhibition, but we
believe their pleasure fully shared by others who
went merely " look AZ collection OF foreign school
The larger proportion Of these pictures are French,
and one familiar with various annual exhIDit0ir,
is struck at the fret glance at this, with those positive
ana decided characteristics which belong TO the French
artist Ii is hardly just to say that there s an evidence
Of actual mannersm, hut the collection IL proof OF
how prone the human mind is to run in grooves, and
how an Acknowledged excellence lie sure to be
adopted and adhered 10 &C the risk a same
ness, and sometimes of tameness, tall some
holder spirit strikes out into a new direction. IL
certain at any rate, that the collection viii AFFORD 70
all who with better opportunity OF study ing al the
peculiaries OF the French method and manner, than
has hitherto been afforded in this city. So far are We
from complaining Of this that regard as one OF the
exeelences of the COLLECTION. The works OF the masters
before u.s. Of the pupils OF the masters, and OF the
mere imitators. careful study think, viii detect
athe excelences and the faults, the manner that Is
original and strong, and the mannerism that Is only
weak and initiative. Here evidently is no cheap col
lection of pictures made TO s and bought 10 be solo
for the signatures they bear but genuine gallery 81
works in which the artists have put their best thought
and their most Conscientious labor We do not pretend
to criticism in crowded room under the glare Of gas
light and the pressure Of a want of wholesome atmos-
pierre BIT the catalogue, and even hasty glance as-
sure of the presence of the works Of some OF the
most distinguished French artists; many pictures at
tIact us which we see are worth careful study and
the whole mprc sses Us as collection Of than Or
binary interest and one which viii be TO COM
mand the public attention.