New-York daily tribune., 1861-01-19
ART ITEMS.

The French Government, has recently purchased
small chalk drawing of the head Of child, by Leon
srdo da Vnc for which the sum Of 6OOO francs was
paid There is an unfinished oil painting in the Jarves
collection in Broadway, which is said 10 be by
Leonardo which if an authentic picture, and Mr.
Jarves has no doubt of ts genuineness ought TO be
worth at least hundred thousand dollars, taking the
elalk drawing ar the zero Of valuation. There is a
head OF ST. Thomas by Leonardo, Or al least attrb-
uied him. in the Bryan gallery in the Cooper lnstl-
tute These the only two examples OF this great
master in the New World. The gallery Of the Earl OF
Suffolk. near London, was robbed Of two Leonardos
wear or two since. They priceless works OF art
and If offered for sale would have attracted buyers
from all parts Of the world But the burglar who cut
them from their frames, hawked them about London
some time without finding market for them, aid at
Iast sold them TO picture dealer for few shilIings
The dealer had a suspicion that they were
by Leonardo, and submitted them TO Sir
Charles Eastlake, President Of the Royal Academy,
who after an examination of them, pronounced them
copies They remained some time in the shop of the
picture dealer until they accidentally discovered
one day TO be the identical Leonardos that had been
stolen from Lord Suffolk. Facts like these show what
great ssties surround all works of a that are
attributed - The old masters.
Paul Akers, the sculptor Of the Dead Pearl Diver,
passed through New-York, on bis way South for the
benefit Of his health last month. He is the author OF
The leading article in The Atlantic Monthly for Febru-
airy on American Artists in Italy the greater part OF
which is devoted 10 the merits Of Page as coorist
Mr. Akers regards him Of the greatest painterr
since Titan and his most striking works the
portraits Of three American ladies' which were executed
IN Rome, viz: those of Charlotte Cushman, now IN
London; of MTs. Crawford, now In Rome
and Of Mrs. Norton, now in Cambridge,
Mass Az an instance of oolor-blindness in an
artist Mr.. Akers says that Bartholomew, the sculptor
could not distinguish between crimson curtan and
green one Yet Bartholomew began bis artistic career
az portrait painter and once be gave the cheeks Of
female sitter a hue of bright green. He put the two
pigments upon bis palette and mistook the green for
the red and did not discover his mistake until it was
pointed out to him. Yet, blind be to the differ
snces Of color he had the exquisite perception Of
the beauties Of form.
Mr.. Clifford has recently finished landscape that
will surprise those who have formed their opinions Of
his style from his previous compositions II was painted
fVp study made IL the Csttskills, and represents
Summer twilight. The distant hills have assumed dark
purple tint while the skys all aglow with crimson and
gold. The color is gorgeous and the effect pronounced
while the sentiment Of the picture is full Of tenderness
and poetical feeling
Mr.. Page has recently received from England an
Infant Bacchus, which be painted in Rome for an
American eonnOisseur which many regard az one of the
most superb examples OF brilliant coorng that bis PEN
cal has yet produced. Ii s 1t his room in the Studio
Building.
Mr.. George L. Browns large landscape, represent-
ing mound among the White Mountains upon which
be has been engaged the past three months is finished
snd was exhibited at the last Wednesday evening
meeting of the AtheDaum Club.
The Brooklyn artists making preparations for
their first reception of the season, and they have
cured for that purpose the Of the beautiful assembly
room Of the Academy of Music, in Montague place.
Leutzes picture Of the Landing of the Cavalier, at
b. harys in Maryland has been placed since its
completion, in the gallery Of Mr.. Derbys Institute Of
Fine Arts on Broadway for exhibition.
The National Portrait Gallery Of London has lately
been enriched by very striking portrait Of Pope. 1t
represented as very COED picture, though the name
Of the painter is doubtful.