The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-11-10

The FINE ARTs-OUR New GAILERrEs.-It
is gratifying TO find that whilst New York is as
Stunning q foremost position amongst the great
commercial cities of the world, 1t is not ne
glecting the cultivation. Of those arts which
mark high state of civilization and refinement.
In music we bave advanced in few years to a
more general acquaintance with the works OF
the different composers than Is to be found
elsewhere out Of Italy or Germany. 1t is really
remarkable, considering how comparatively
short a time the Opera has been domiciled
amongst u.s. that so we'll schooled and correct u
taste should be already exhibited by our pub
lie. In London and Paris, notwithstanding
their greater opportunities and longer training,
the audiences are not as appreciatory or crti
cal, as foreign artists themselves admit.
In the cognate arts, such as painting aud
sculpture, our progress has not been quite 30
rapid This is in q great measure to be &C
counted for by the absence Of those collections
which are necessary to form the public taste, and
to create which demands a large expenditure.
Under nonarchical governments want of
this kind is felt than it is supplied for,
interfering in everything, they cannot refuse
aid to objects having q sort of educational
claim upon them. In our case il is different.
The policy Of our government does not recog
mise the formation of art collections as entering
within the scope of its duties, any more than 1t
does the founding Of colleges or Of universities
These matters are left to private enterprise to
the exertions of societies, and our people being
engaged almost exclusively in commercial pur-
suits, 1t is not to be expected that the munid-
ceDce Of individuals should keep pace with the
large appropriations made by foreign govern
ments for such purposes.
We, nevertheless, do not allow ourselves to
be discouraged by the disadvantages under
which We labor in this respect Within the last
five years sculpture and painting have re-
ceived q greater impulse here than their
history records in any other country in the
same brief space of time. Art galleries are
springing up amongst US in every direction,
and there is scarcely city In the Union which
cannot boast of one or more of them. In
New York the present season will have
witnessed the opening of at least halt
q dozen, including Mr.. Brady's splendid
establishment at the corner of Tenth
street, Mr.. Derby's Institute Of Arts in Broad.
way, and Mr.. Hardings new gallery 10 the
University. The Derby Institute will be de-
voted for the present to two collections of un.
equalled merit In their way-that of the Dussel.
dorf school, and Mr.. Jarves' specimens of the
old masters, illustrating the early history Of art
OF the latter collection 1t may with truth be
said that in plan and execution 1t Is unique of
its kind. We know no other which exhibits in
30 uninterrupted a line the different stages
through which art advanced to its present high
state Of development from the symbolism
through which 1t had to struggle into intellec-
tual life. To render this collection a. valuable
TO the uniniuated as 1t will be interesting to the
connoisseur, Mr.. Jarves should give series of
lectures explanatory Of its relation To the diff
ferent epochs which It covers. From an &C
complished art critic, a. well a. collector of
acknowledged judgment, a narrative thus Illus
trated cannot fail to prove one Of the most In.
teresting and instructive novelties that has been
as yet offered To our public.