New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-06-04
NATToyAL ACADEMY OF DESIGN
The Thirty.Ninth Exhibitor.

tsixtk Articls.l
No. SO. "JRALoUsY;" No. 297. "THR LAIR on
THE SEA-SERPENT." ELIHU VEDDBR
We do not exactly know what to make OF
Mr.. vedder's work In bis "Star Of Bethlehem" ex'
hibited last year there nearer approach TO gen.
uine imaginative treatment Of his subject than has been
shown In any American work we have ever seen. 1t
conception In itself highly poetical- and was
carried out with certain grandeur which was very strk
ing when compared with the maudlin sentipentaity
which usually passes with for imagination and which
never fails to enshrne itself In drawing and color quite
suitable TO it's own feebleness So far "a know. too
Mr. vedders conception Of his subject original;
and although he may have found the first suggestion %
Il in the lode on the Nativity" he added 10 the noble
beauty of Miltons thought still higher strain Of his
own.
The picture, II the reader remembers, was divided
into two portions upper and lower, by the long
line Of cloud on which the Vision Of the Star rested on
seemed to rest Below dimly seen If seen at all the
Shepherds watched their nocks about them slept the
hills and fields under the darkng night but over their
heads there rolled solemn vision, grand prophetic
dream. Above the level platform OF the sliding cloud
there shone the light Of splendid star taking the shape
Of cross. and filing all the upper heaven with mild
glory from its streaming rays; while, from the clouds
that abernscled it, this central star whose light seemed
but the efugenee Of shape within 1t hardly dscerned,
drew with its gracious radiance procession OF stately
FORMS on one side the priests and kings and prophets
who foretold the coming Of this day and waited for it
long, the other the crowd Of saints and martyrs the
mighty throng Of witnesses whose eyes shall see that
coming. and whose faith and consistency shall make
them sharers in theIg'ory Of their master.
! We could not fail TO be struck win the picture.
True. there nothing very remarkable in the
painng but the higher qualities Of the work made the
execution OF less Importance. Here at last man
who could think high thoughts and give expression TO
them. This name TO US, and We might re-
oice for it not to stand for inane, ,rinhg, or
vulgar work. This newcomer would have something
better to show than peaches and melons, dogs
and bears portraits Of gentlemen dull repetitions Of
unreal mountains and trees we must watch him care
fully; be sure he will not disappont us.
Yet. even in that same gallery, we were puzzled BY
the inequality of this artists work There was the
picture Of the Sphynx inferior to the Star Of Bcthle
hem" but as remember. hvig in amach more advan-
tagcous place. The subject Arab with his ear at
the silent mouth Of the STRENGTHENING for that
long unspoken secret word - showed fancy,
not imagination; perhaps rather whim, than
n
the way which fact sacrificed for the sake Of the
story For instance the proportion betweenhe colossus
and the human being was, II We remember rightly
quite dsresarded for the sake Of bringing the mans
ear on level with the Sphyn1s mouth. Webelieve We
are not mistaken in saying that man standing upon
the lobe Of the ear Of this monster having climbed 10
that position with some difficulty is able TO conceal
himself in the hollow from those who are below; Ct all
eyents the proportions are something like this. BY
forgetting these fncts by wilfsy misstatDg them,
the artst did make his fancy more poetical but ss
no. Doubtless he would admit this; FOR, We are very
sure he knows better than TO suppose
the truth would have reduced his work to the level Oh
mere unimaginatve matterof fact statement. we De-
eye that IL was oversight and we only SPEAK o.
There for the sake Of making clear to ourselves ann
others the characteristics Of this artists WORK Nor
would this be worth while perhaps except IN the case
Of one who like Mr.. vedder. has attracted vide and
intelligent circle Of admirers and been loudly and a
we cannot help thinking unwseiy exalted 10 an equal
scat with seine Of the highest modern names In the
Star Of Bethlehem" there imagination In the con-
eeption soemniy. dignity, unity in the presentment
In the Spbynx" there were none OF these high quail
tee.
Another picture we remephey-" Dominican Monks
in the Convent Ge-den"-a little canvas but painted
with mingled sweetness and power by man who, il
was plain saw things with his eyes, and not 40
cordiag TO rule He loved this italian sky, these cy
presses this golden light he looked at them, not as bot
anis not az philosopher, but passionate lover and
painted them from bis dream 10 feed bis dream There
was uoJcarelessness in this little work crclessness
but earnest 10 record happy memory sun STEPPED
in golden dew no denying Of Mature to gain socaed
miscaled IDEAL the ideal was evidently being sought
L. .s.NF NJ IN
loyalty to her truth. 1t was singular work People
pored over It, wondered at It left it-caMe back TO IT,
The best Of bis pictures hung high Is II was Out OF
reach in the dark had power in II 70 draw Curious eyes
which studied it and remembered it Mr.. Vedder had
conquered Lis place; his place could not conquer him.
But good work is sore Of its reward sooner Or
later No amount Of Indifference carecssness in the
hanging committee can permanently nJuie merit,
or keep 1t out of sight and those young painters who
complain either in public or private that their worke
are badly hung and comfort themselves with the belief
that if justice Lad been done them their pictures would
have been admired and Sold may as well take this sharp
truth to heart and learn to believe it, that no geod
work. picture poem. action, ever yet was done IN yan
or ever failed to find appreciation somewhere. Don't
be troubled because your picture Is badly hung That
no affair of yours Your business is to paint well as
you cam 70 give your whoie Aear ao uA'u' anu soua'
to perfectng your work. not to think Of selling It, but
Of paintingit And when you have sincerely patiently
earnestly and merry done your very best let lie intel
gent committee reject it hang it under the corniee
or down by the floor. upside down, a. the iabuhsn
tell of Turner or with its face to the wall Worse than
this let partial dosmatic and absolute pseudo
critics your devoted offspring TO pieces-iooE on
with serene and smiling oompcsurei don't write letters
to the newspaper don't gruble to your friends just