The New York herald., 1862-04-16
F IN E A II T s.

IN r. "A N Ss
Annual Exhibition OF the
National Academy OF Design.
The exhibition for the present year opened on Monday
last under that augured favoraby for its
character The forced ideness which artists
been reduced for the last twelve months by the
total suspension OF orders, afforded them plenty of
leisure for Tho preparation Of show pictures What they
could not gau in money they could by this MEANS at
least, gain in fame. There this additional induce
men for little extra sxertion that their works were TO
have the advantage OF and suitable locale for
exhibition (tho Derby Gallery, whore there would be
Tess opportunity for the Hanging Committee to exhibit
their partates in favor particular artists than in the
Old Tenth street building.
We regret to say that these anticipations have
been disappointed. We scarcely recolsct a year
in which the works Of artists have exhibit
ed less progressiveness q whole, and in
which, as regards individuals usually distinguished
for their industry less ambition TO excel has been dis
played We only account for this by the assumption
that the apathy and hopelessness which up to recent
period had seized upon all the productive classes Of our
community, from the gigantic aspect Of the rebellion,
equally shared in by the profession.
In another respect observe but little Improvement
former years Whatever could be done to create ar
and to depress merit, while undue prominence has been
given to pictures remarkable for tho absence OF it, has
been accomplished. BY converting into sort OF oven
tho front gallery from which the light Of day but i'm
perfectly excluded, and which consequently struggles for
ascendency with that Of the gasburners, locus peni
tsnti9 has beon provided, to which need say all
those who do not find favor in tho Dyes OF privileged
msdiocrity are remorsesssy consigned.
Having said thus much Of the Of arrangement
let examine the pictures themselves.
No. l. A portrait Of a gentleman, by saintin, is
captaly drawn and orcibe in expression. but harsh in
coloring The position too is sti1, and tho general
effect of the picture is. consequently, not pleasing.
No. L. IA Sleghride in Broadway" by Alex. vion is
clever little picture, thoroughly French In s spirit
and handling.
No. s. portrait Of lady, by 8. A. Mount, N. A., is
de,esable in coloring and in drawing II contrasts
unhappy with small portrait (No. 6) by young girl
Of seventeen Miss Ida Powell which placed in juxta
position with it, This later picture considering It is
rst effort is astonishingy mature in treatment. The
head, that Of child hs artists brother) Is beautifully
modelled and there sweetness of tono in the whole
picture which is in harmony with the subject.
No. Q. winter scene, by R. Gisnoux. A. A charm.
ing landscape clear crisp and bright In its ects and
fuller Of detail than is usual with the winter Of
this artist.
NO. ~. Ou C9IIO uo CoVlo,' Oy OoOrgO IL. Hall, tS
OF those studies Of Spanish life which this artist
is now almost entirely employing his pencil. In group
ing atmosphere and local features generally the sketch
is faithfully characteristic. There is conventonaty
about the faces, however which deracts from these
merits and the effect is further spoiled by the wooden
aspect Of the mules attached 10 the wagon which look
II they had been copied from a toy shop.
No. IA. gentleman at full length, by Thomas Hicks
In the bbliophc here delnsated with appropriate
roundngs there is difficulty In recognizing Dr. Cogs-
WE'LL Of the Astor Library The likenoss Is excellent and
the picture generally is clearly and effectively painted
there any fault it Is in the redundancy Of color given
to the flesh tints
No 10. 'Ths March Of SiIenus,' by W. H. Beard gro
tesque and clover conception showing the part Of tho
artist thorough acquaintance with geological anatomy,
without which IL would be impossible for him TO give
such vitality to these eccentric groupings II differs
from the treatment Of tho subjects by tho old
tsrs in the fact that its figures OF wild animals no matter
how exaggerated their position always conscientious
ly accurate.
No. II. "AmAd. on the Coast OF Naples - by w. g. Hs.
seltne There is glttsring Enthusiastically about this
landscape which, however correct may be in certain
conditions Of tho Neapolitan atmosphere very unsats
factory in picture There is point Of repose for the
eye great fault work in which such dazzling effects
are introduced.
No. %. st Michael and Satan Conendng for tho Body
Of Noses" An ambitious subject indsrently treated
No. %. "a Lady," by r. NJ. staisg. A pleasing and
sketchly painted portrait in the artists best STYLE
No. 80. "Ple,sant Remembrance ers and Wood.
cock, by A. r. Taite So far tho dc.neaton Of animal
Life is concerned Mr. Taito has few superors We could
wish that his landscapes had little more freshness and
naturalness. Nothing for instance can be tanner than
that in which he has introduced tho present sporting
episode
No. 80. GA View In Switzerland, ,, by r. Gignoux ~ A.
We like this landscape less than the one by the same ar
list that We have just noticed II is, however, effective.
y treated and forms an agreeable pendant the latter
NO j4 "Snlight aud Shadow :, by A. Bicrstadt. This
is one OF the very best pictures the collection IL shows
skulness In the mana cement Of effects and strength
or color such as did not give Mr. Bcrstadt credit for
Nothing can be happier than the choice of
scene that he has made, so perfectly in keeping Is it
with his main idea. Tho front Of country church,
with partial view into its INTERIOR and the rays of tho
sun stealing softly through the deep shadows cast by the
old trees that surround it, gliding portions OF the columns
Of balustrade that extends half way across the build
ing make the features Of this admirable picture We
forget there s 1guro or old woman seated upon tho
steps Of the church. with child sleeping upon her lap:
but these add to- rather than deract from the reposo
and stiffness OF the scene We congratulate Mr.
Bestad on the genuine that he has achieved in
this picture.
No. 81 "a Glimpse of Lake Chsmpain, - by Shattuck
Is charmipgly treated and is Of the most pleasing
efforts Of this clever artists pencil.
No. 3s. Itnerants," by Thomas 10 Clear A
capital picture We in II only the result Of at
tenon to the general effect, but Of tho careful eabora
tion Of details As much study evidently has been be-
slowed on each figure Of the group as IL IL were 10
form separate picture in itself The boy playing the
violin Is inmitsbe and would not be unworthy Of place
In one OF Wilkes tabeaux. The sentiment Of which he
is the embodiment contrasts chafmingly with the CO.
qnsttish archness Of the girl who accompanies him. and
who 10 herself arrested In her rounds among the by
sanders by the strains that hold them charmed listen.
srs. In tone ths picture is all that could be desired
The background is little TOO much broken up for our
tasts but whore there much 10 praise IL hardly
fair 70 suggest a. blemish what others may perhaps
deem conducive 70 the general effect