The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-04-15
National Ac de my Of Oestg a

The thirty ninth annual exhibition OF this institution
opens the public to-day Yesterday the friends
members and the press admitted to a" private
view OF the collection which enables us thus early TO
review the leading features
We may begin by saying that tho exhibition Is 4
meagre compared with those OF the last three
years. Indeed we have rarely noticed larger proper
or bad pictures This strikes with more sur
prise from the fact that the Hanging Committee have
thought proper to reject the dne Noonght the Bat.
tie Field. by Nehlig, noticed by short time since
the ground that would occupy too much SPACE
When the historic interest the work its merits ia
other respects considered relation to the presence
OF so many trashy works. the decision canuot fail 30
strike one with astonishmeot. We pick out some
thirty or forty pictures in the collection which
would disgrace the commonest sign painter, and yet
we are told that the committee could find no
place for work OF such national importance
as that OF Mr. Nehlg We have again evidence OF the
same unaccountabe want OF discrimination the place
assigned to Mr. Constant Mayors beautiful WORK. Conso-
la,iou. the best figure piece in the collection both for
the sentiment that marks it ana its admirable treatment
Why should such work be hung above the eye and
At an elevation which places It's ne qualities beyond the
reach OF examination We unwilling to give credit
the suggestion made explanation these facts
that Hanging Committee composed almost entirely
Of figure painters, Of whom has eIt mse compe.
much interest for the public. We trust hope that
feeling unworthy jealousy not at the these
acts Of injustice. Be this may, recommend Mr.
Nehiig TO appeal from the Hanging Committee to the
public, by exhibiting his picture il some gallery where
can be to proper advantage the genera! verdict
does compensate him for the he
received athe hands OF the acliemciaus W. shall DO
very much surprised.
Passing from this painful, theme. we viii nov briefly
notice works that deserving OF inspection
In small octason couple OF cabinet pictures
By Henessy al, 42), which praseworthy both in
sentiment quality. The 10 camp (T3) by Ho.
NOR is IN general treatment Of successful
Efforts OF this promising youug artist II has . fault.
gested Boards group Of bears 2) another OF those
inmtable animal csroatures which this Esop OF the
brush excels vedder, OF the imaginative OF
artists, hes the same room 3haksperean group (os,
whion painted With great force aud humor. Another
Of those extraordinary conceptions which stamp him
q man Of original GENTS is bis picture OF the
great SOC serpeat (s9D. We question IL there
10 another artist WHO would have undertaken
such . subject, or who could have treated
IL 80 successfully. Louis Lang has q historical
picture (54), "Attempt OF Scotch Lady to Asssssi.
nate Queen Elizabeth which spirited composition
and color but faulty drawing. There couple or
excellent IN many respects, do not please much
some OF his former productions. The genre picture by
j. G. Brown (lAs) has admirable points aud some
bad ones whilst for instance the OF hts heroine
caresssIy painted, the Of her dress and its ORA
perss elaborated with skill almost equal 70 that OF
wilems ". Hays picture OF "The stag Pursued"
d4I open to contrary criticism. The animal good
but the landscape is wretched, the water, where IL
is displaced By the plunge OF the stag. reminding
more OF broken ice than fluid element. The picture
"Fathfui unto the Last" Qs4), By T. Mast. is 20 be
commended for Its sentiment aud respects for
handling. Tho "Cafe at Bagdad, by Mr.. A. schaee is
an Interesting picture, nasmuch illustrates phase
OF Eastern life with which only acquainted
through books Colman has beautiful spanish scene
f242,, rich 10 details aud dne atmospheric effects.
B,erstadt has a scene from the Rocky Mou nains
1857 which is painted with great breadth and
brilliaucy. The landscape by Hubbard can,
though not his best style. s still greatly TO be ad.
mired May, Of Philadelphia has noble composition,
| emitted columbus signing His Will" (2Ie) II ia
painted srandiy and ia very rich 10 color. The best
landscape 10 the collection that by clifford (250l We
have seen nothing by this arts, that pleases
There arc several fine portraits by Elliott Huntington
and Carl Brandt OF Judge Nelson. by tho latter
spendidy modelled, and Is IN other respects mos,
moritor,ous wort