New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-04-04
WY PUBLICATIONS.
,,prrs,S ART STUDIES.

Jackson.
The point of view from which the subject OF
~. i treated in this volume is as one of the most
,,otept agencies of civilization, e1erting human
;zipg and soienipg influence on society, aud pre-
.e.tinr an antagolistic element both TO the
-pdepess and barbarislo of an uncultivated age,
and 70 the eager and intense competition OF
Iigh state of material and commercial develop
Dent. In the introductory portion OF his WORK.
~, author discusses the purposes OF ART IN It's
relation to the progress Of humanity oilers man!
suepestiops in regard to its theoretical principles,
and warmly urges the importance Of ITS cultivation
not only a. the minister of beauty, hut as an ald
20 goodness He then presents condensed his
tor;cal view of the principal schools OF art from
the commencement of the thirteenth century 10
the time of Raphael, including copicus biograph-
ical notices of the principal painters within mat
period, and elaborate criticisms OF their mosS Gel
.ebrated productions.
Mr.. Jar7es is inspired with genuine enthu-
siasm for his subject; without neeiectTs The
technical details of ert, lie aims to represent It's
spiritual significance; be has studied the hoo'es'
works of The medieval masters with intelligent
admiration; and his view of their position ana
iuApepeeis markedly discrimination and good sense
,s well as by the earnestness of aesthetic zeal.
7Iir hook would doubtless have been improved
~ greater breTity Of statement; he too often
dolees in a mania for sUpert'uous discussion;
senpting episode is apt to eDtce him from his
Ie Ultimate track; and his eloquence Of expression
sometimes becomes burdensOme By It's want OF
proportion with the natural demands Of his theme.
S,dl. he cannot fail to be of essential service
70 tle earnest student OF art, not less by the
interest of his biographical narrative, than by
his instructive hints on the philosophy OF the
subject; and his volume must win an eminent
place in the department Of literature to which II
is devoted.
The danger from fraud and trickery, to which
a novice is exposed in collecting specimens Of
srt il well described in the following passage,
which may be read with profit 10y many imPIes-i-
be American travellers.
A. e taste foe collecting objects OF ART is rapidly
develo,ing in America, II may be not wlhoul PROM
CO point out some Of the pitfalls which a;leuu le anna
teit In Il cir pursuit eglaly IN y, tlal e%he"7,-
ices quarry Of " on -in;ls" and " old masters.
Though ii should be remembered that WORK oi art
NAV be both original and old, and very bad, too; us
J1riipsic worth being Dis net question from lts age
az actual experience Of many years 80. -.
The most obvious risk Is from the conrtertIer' no,
from tho vulgar shams distributed so widely over 'Ee
xOrjd from tie well known HRGEutcct0rfCS q paintings
n France. England ana other parts, ana winch cai
deceive criv the most ignorant cretuous, but from
tseut irself debased to forgery and tn;Eery.
MeBy of the antique hr0nzes, terra-So'tas' l'fes'
classi, aud medieval relics, 50 Jealouy cared ior IL
sts collections of Europe, the clever imitation o.
poor and honest arts n one OF the ltaiah cries
whose miniature studio might almost be pui jotl1e %
II a.. I1- d.lItr Ike
yeuiue aagnes are Reproduced VIII hGeh'y, ana me
co,'ias and marks Of time conuerieltec by chemical
processes and skful maripu4tiln.s IL sells his FRO
duc;ions as limitations ~ pnces tbat rarely ptC'Id
lir with daily bread ekiug subfi-ieuce. by re-
Esrs and res Oratious iu Which he equally iApfy'
Living 10 ohscOTiy, without TIE CAPITAL % raSIy 20
Iaake himself known TO the pubh he y al me mercy
q 6ose who interested IN Keeping bn IL plva'y'
end buyinC h artistic lab a the wages 81 the cod
honper HE own responsibility goes not Leycnd IGi-
filing orders for the iuiatl 81 certain obec7i we
process Of which he frankly explains 70 IN nqui-u'c
visitor But once in dishonest Lancs, antiquity
aald authenticity replace modernism aud Imitation
Eal-ehUod and forgery now begin. mere are TWO
WAYS Of scd lctou AID deceit The one, and SAFER i'f
the operator is the suggestive, IN which aI eaTahces
are made hy ConsImuute tact and HIttl iiatery 70
% excite te admiration Of the buyer, tist e + ed 10
believe wat ne dssiier without comp ClHiriig Iie
agent. The Other Is IOtluye lnrlge ana a.toile ~
tg % nj ely done tia. the wealthy amateur S Eeoced
ef fashion that cou1ers pleasure ana Which, though
te may subsequently, detect gives him hut Lane
redress in most ttLtts ne uttti !lt'
Tor stimulated by vanity OF fashion, without any tr0e
ard foY art he has offered great Tr, i6iHn 1oI
G4ue that il would indeed be wonderful II q cores
pauOiuC supply was not created. Hence the apparent
r-ClicueEs ~ certain names IN art me ISl'E "i-
=, smttimes SOTtlv tempted 70 panQeT 70 III us, 10
SECURE that appreciation which he world gives mo'e
lvissly to fashion than merit. Michel Angelo tested
She OspO,itlOn, more current, even, al Do ui.e
than now; though sOue say II wds done without LIS
knowl-dcc AT all events, havlGC hnlsted statue u
Sles,iug Cund, after breaking of an ann, II was
busie3 and, il due time ClscOyered, ciahieTeC, az
brought 20 the notice f distinguished Roman Glgil-
tary wLO pronounced II 20 he gem OF the ann ne
lie bought il for q large Vire, well sa,ied with n
mic. ag he had houest reason to be- Bat alterWard
lie doc pt0n being exposed, and tGe proof gwen 10y
mans Of the missing hob, that IL was The WORK Of TIE
S.G almost unknown FlUcnilue sculptor, the olsen
NLted connOissCur was 1,rOusly Indignant, ana dls
,sed 10 take prompt Vengeance upon TIE IaFH's con-
\. lued.
10 come back 70 OR own day. Let Us suppose &
son collector 20 have arrived at some Ueii-known ltal-
tn ocaHJy-pctnTeoc kcylnC 10 much jhe some every
{ere-iu pursuit. vi originals. Great s the c2nlro-
81 zen srnouG dealers and their SeHS0L," lackals.
These l4tterare acknowledgement qualification with
enough int ligence t. tell good picture from bad,
and parrO,-ike acquaintance with names and schools
They are of all classes, from the decyea gentleman
and artist U shOp.ktepers cobblers cooks aud tai
porS who End in toe large commissions gained, q
sampta;0n 70 Orsske their petty, Iegliiioaie cangs
for lie lpiteIyke cXceIneuts and hetse 81 Iletufe-
dealing. No sooner las the stranger gone 70 tis Ho,el
ftar watch l. put upon BIS movements, anu bribery
a,A ajoery used 70 yet 70 ilni Ii IA the ser
soLs bagiLess to discover and oier llctuIes lie Is
snptoeod to know the locality Oh every one, good OF
lad in lis uegbDorhOod. however jealous OF eaci
str III are lgy.lv pledged 20 take IN The stranger
learned with the dealer artist owner, courier or - r
vaD, with every one, in fact, that by my pcftlOt
SAD stand between Tic buyer abd ils obitcs, D. hdt
become enost impO-sibihiy especially Tor uai'sleI
yigii l-s 70 purchase anyth ug whatever without
rrp hpqv fQl 70