The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-17
INAUGURATION OF THE NEW ACADEMY OF

by grand Inauguration concert, in which GoIson
Brlgnoli, terri, Susni, and other artists from the
New \ OK tx Academy, took part. The house was
densely hled, and as the food of light burst sud
denly upon the magnificent auditorium, and the
audience for the first time had the opportunity to
view It's beauty universal praise was expressed at
the style, richness and chasteness with which the
committee and the corps of artists having the matter
in hand, had fulfilled their task
w take the following extracts from the descrip-
ton of the building in the Times of Yesterday:
The drop-curtaini is one OF the finest we have ever
seen, and decidedly the best Galyo has ever painted
1t represents the Temple of Apollo, in different
parts OF which are the statues of the four Muses.
Melpomene, Euterpe, ITALIA and Erata, admirably
designed, executed and typified. While the whole
is inclosed in very rich drapery, looped up by
heavy cords and tasseis
Passing from the stage into the body CT the
house, we find it arranged in the following man
ner:-There are twelve procenium boxes, par
quette, dress circle, balcony and amphitheatre,
untedly capable of seating twenty-five hundred
people, every of whom can see the stage with
ease and comfort. The seats similar to those
at the New " rk Academy-made of light iron
frames, with cushioned bottoms and covered with
crimson stuff. The procenium boxes are very
handsomely furnished, carpeted and draped, while
the gas lights are judicousy arranged.
The tout ensemble of the auditorium viii strike
every one at first with astonishment, then with
pleasure. The room in its pillars, arches, panel
| ings, and general decorations is, in FORM techni-
cally Gothic; but all these are finished with most
The coors are brilliant reds and yellows tenn
pered by neighboring more delicate tints. The
pigments are not in any way blended with each
other, but put on pure and simple his style of col
oring is a remnant of a barbaric age, and gives
also barbaric splendor to the hall. The manner
of decoration is by saving out patterns of Gothic
device in wood fixing them upon the surface which
they are to adorn then laying in these rich Moorish
colors, which by contrast and concord from GER
tain wild harmony, both unique and pleasing.
There is no question of the fact that the Brook
lyn Academy has not its superior, thatits cree
ton is an entire success, and that the Management
has but to exercise common sense, aided by little
worldly wisdom, to insure to the stockholders
pecuniary return, as we'll just reputation for
public spirit and enterprise.
CRAYON SKETCHES.
From the January Crayon we select the following
agreeable anecdotes of artists:
GAINsBoRoUGH.
The painter had most feeling heart, and strong
sympathy with misfortune Thus we find him. on
being shown letter from fallen and forsaken
woman, turning back on his way to the theatre, to
send the poor supplicant FIVE pound note
GainsbOrough was very successful at repartee.-
| He was once examined as witness on trial res
pecting the originality of picture when COUNSEL
| endeavored to puzzle him by saying, ~ observe
| you lay great stress on painters eye-what do
you mean by that expression?" GA painters eye,"
answered Gainsborough, sis to him what a LAWYERS
tongue is to you.''
Money and pictures were alike bestowed inconsid-
uiCueT TeldjSS LDlt ne presented twenty
drawings to one lady, who so ignorant of their
value that she pasted them on the wall of her dres-
sing room; and gave Colonel Hamilton the Boy at
the Style for playing solo on the violin.
FUSEIl.
Although Fusei's talents were highly apprecia-
ted in Italy, he never obtained diploma or other
honor, from an academy; indeed, he refused all
overtures made to him on the subject; for he con
sidered the institution of academies to be "symp-
toms of art in distress"
In his temper Fusei was irritable and violent,
but sppeased in an instant. In his person small
with lace OF independent, unregulated fire: Leslie
says: his front face had very much the character
of a lion. Hayden heard he was handsome when
! Young, and with women (when gralrn.I nv their
attention) no man could be more gentle.
Fuseli used to say: ~ always think in the lam
guage in which ice, and it is matter Of indif
| ieronee me whether it be in English French, or
Italian; know each equally well; but if l wish to
express myself with power, it must be in German.
For the purpose OF reading Sepps Work on Insects,
| he gained late in life a competent knowledge of
Dutch; indeed, he had peculiar facility of acqur-
ing languages. He told Mr.. knowls that, with his
knowledge of general grammar, and with his MEM
ory, six weeks of hard study sufficient time to
acquire any language with which he was previous
! ly unacquanted.
Calling one morning upon Mr.. johnson, Fuseli
found him bargaining with author for the copy
! right of a book. When the gentleman left, Mr..
| johnson said, "That is Mr.. Kett, and his work is
to be called the Elements of Useful Know LEDGE"
! SIN how many volumes % said Fusel an two
l
SAID he, "you cannot be serous the ocean is not
! to be emptied with a teaspoon
Discoursing with lady upon sculpture, who
was, however, too we'll read in the classics to be
subject of his mischievous pleasantly he pretended
to inform her of a fine bas-relief which had been
received by the Royal Academy from Rome
"What is the subject?' she asked "Hector and
| Andromache," said he, "dashing GU. against wall
| the little Astyanax's brains ?" "Pooh why do
you tell me such stuff" said she. "Ah you may
laugh" replied Fuseli, 'but it would go down with
many one. have often said such things in COM
pany without detection"
The students were constantly amused with Fuse.
lis oddities. He heard violent alteration in the
studio one day, and inquired the cause. "It is on
ly those fellows, the students, SIR, said one of the
| porters. "Feows p exclaimed Fusel; 81 would
have you to know, sir, those fello,gs may one day
| become academicians.' The noise increased-he
| opened the door and burst in upon them, excaim-
| ing, 10y GU den of wild beasts.n One of the
offenders, Munro by name, bowed and said, "And
| Fuseli is keeper" He retired smiling, and
muttering, "The fellows are growing witty"
A student as he passed held up his drawing and
said confidently, "Here, sir, l finished it without
using crumb of bread" "All the worse for your
drawing" replied 'Fuseli, "buy twopenny Loaf
and rub it OUT
| When Blake, a painter infinitely more wild in
conception than Fusei himself showed him one OF
his strange productions he said, "Now, some one
has told you this is very ine.' "Yes," said Blake
"the Virgin Mary appeared to me and told me ii
was very fine. What can you say to that?'' "Sayr'
exclaimed Fuseli, "why nothing -only her ladyship
| has not an immaculate taste"