New-York daily tribune., 1861-11-12

ing pe'se fInces OF the ornamsntel designer cover
wall and ceiling instead of broad and effective masses
Of color, which would have relieved the gloom with
out distressing the vision with forms supposed to
baye meaning, ndiscjnSuishable in the dark. Imta-
tation panels with groups of fruits and flowers fit for
diningrooms, alternate with trophies Of guns and
helmets, in corridors where the lobby promeDades
the incOTuptbe Legislators, or hungry ofioe-seekers
waylay the members for their districts.
Il s pleasant to be able TO note one good thing in
all this inanty-Leutzes new picture for the SOUTH
west staircase land not for the Rotunda, Washing
ton correspondents have it). There are four grand
spaces 20 by 30 feet in the building, and Of these
Leuze ia to fll, for, has been stated, the sum Of
$4,000, portion of an appropriation which would
else have been put in bricks and mortar and perhaps
have added much to indistructible deioruaty. Ii
has excited some remark that such a commission
should have been given at time Ike this, and it is
due to Mr.. l.. to say that it was only on knowing
that the using Of tie money for building purposes
was inevitable, that he made any effort TO get the
commission. What he would otherwise have done
and what other artists will do, in state OF things
like this, il left TO conjecture. Few Of them have
bank accounts 10 fall back on, fewer still are quail
fed for other occupation, and now, while the weight
lest needs Of the national existence are scany sup
Piled il seems scarcely TO be hoped that art will re-
ceive any attention. Commissions, even TO artists OF
the best position, arc being revoked, and the painters
OF lesser reputation will probably suffer greatly ere
the war is ended. We will he thankful that Leutze
lie employed bere and if bis plans for the decora-
ton Of the vacant walls could be carried out by
which the services Of artists Of all speciaties would
be demanded is would be a better day for American
art than has yet been
Mr. Leutze viii paint in the space assigned him a
picture which has fer its title "WeawaTd the star
Of empire holds its way" representing an emigrant
train reaching the summit Of ono OF the Rocky Moun-
tain passes Just sunset and the emigrants rushing
forward to get the frst glimpse Of the broad plains
which lie below, with rivers cleaning under golden
sky and winding away into the haze that es on the
horizon In the foreground group of pioneers on
horseback urre forward their horses to get the sight
of their promised land, and just behind comes one Of
the wagons with little family, an invalid mother
whose pale face is lifted as if to catch breeze from
tie Pacific and in whose lap lies fiolicksome child
Behind comes long train Of wagons out OF the
shadows Of tie night gathering in Tie valley behind
Another group, more restless, have climbed plnna-
Gle Of rock to get clearer view and wave their hats
to the setting sun. AT the right is snowy peak the
gold of the sunlt snow barred by cool blue shadows.
al behind them Is gloom where tie n::sta are gath
edng, and al before them a sunny dream.
In the border which vii take the place OF frame,
are set smaller designs In tie left hand upper
the Wfe Men Of the East following the star of Christi
ut the right, Hercules ceaving the gates Of the Medi-
teranean; at tho len again, below, is the expedition
FOR the golden fleece, Moses calling the Red Sea upon
the host Of Pharaoh the raven bearing food, and on
the right the spies returning from Canaan, Columbus
with bis globe and the dove returning with the olive
leaf AZ the bottom view Of the golden gate, and
in an oval at the len portrait II Clark at the right
one Of Boone-the wlolo TO be connected by sr.-
besques, introducing the hon and fauna fthe West.
Tie sketch In color il fui,hed, and is In many re-
srects tLe luest thing know Of Mr. Leutze es work.
Il Is glowing with light aud color, and. above alr
wen Calculated Tor IJs pace ana ,no 'iyus ~ "in 40
seen in. The emphasis given tho warm bghts by the
cool eastern thadows is very fine and effective, and
the treaimen, both in this respect and in light
and shade is eSeeltuy Wei calculated FOR CAPITOL
picture. Mr. Leu,zes plan leaves Glance FOR tie CO.
operation Of landfeape, genre, dover and even pure
y decorative painters in the accessory subecsi and
If she three walls corresponding to tie one be
hhs, coald be filed with the really earnest work Of
our painters working in association, it would make
demand for something more cr,dtaJle 10 be put 10
the Rotulda.
The picture ia to be painted IN the wa.er-glas pro-
cess ore which while it las the advantage of lesco
in being made paIt Of tho wall gives al the facility
Of wates-color in painting. 1t is that adopted by
Kaubaek in the new museum at Berlin, and has
stood twenty years severe test.
Mr.. Leuizo Is now working on the cartoon for bis
picture, having c room in the Capitol as a studio.
uzz.z-Exzzzssrz~.<1-sa
PERSONAL.