Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-03-21

TWO paintings Of high artistic merit, by Mr.. J.
Il A. Elder, are now on Exhibition at Bidgo0d's, on
Main street. One Of these is a spirited piece, en-
titled The .ScoaFs Prize" "A southern cavalry
man has " gobbied up" the horse and effects Of a
Federal officer, the owner having been otherwise
disposed OF he Is dashing through snOw-storm
at full gallop, leading his eaPtRred prize. The sub
ject is Admirably treated in point Of color, tone,
&c. Tie pale bold grey which peryades the land
sSape ead shuts out everything except the fore
ground throws out With admirable relief the noble
dra wing and high ooiering OF the figures, which
seem to leap from the canvas towards the specta
tor. -s-
But the more elaborate and mastery work. IS Gu
titled TIE Baths Of TIE Crater, Morning after the
Explosion" The scene OF this incident has been
carsIaly sketebed upon the spot il is just al the
brink OF the cavity caused by the explosion Of
Grants great nine the ground being torn into
rugged Cliff aud chasms by the explosion the cav
Its itself is concealed by the elevation OF the
grolud Just behind the principal RguTes. The mo
suy selected for illustration IS that OF the grand
ch.gEe aud recaptare Of our works by Malone $
Division; By an ingenious management OF the com
position atteHtion is principally attracted 10 two
groups-in the foreground on the left, young Con
federate soldier who has ouistripped his COM
psn.Ons, is bayoncting a negro who opposes
his adysnCe, while a Confederate soldier
Jus, shot down is falling beside him over
the lead body OF a negro; another Federal soldier,
evidently German IS advancing TO aid in repeL
ling the attack; but the interesting group a
little further rumoyed from the spectator TO the
right ftbe picture. The color bearer OF an at
1acsing regiment has just been hit by ball, which
has at the time broken his flagstaff, which
is seized By cpmrade on his right; other Southern
soldiers are rapidly closing in, broken gun car
riu-es balls; shattered limbs, and all the CHASTITY
concomitsnts Of a fierce attack scattered all
around, depicted with fidelity almost painful, but
dsluanded by the stern requirement of historical
truth The principal light is concentrated upon
Ee group last described, and1he rest OF the picture
Kept down to Subdued grey tone, the value OF
1gt.ch in throwing the principal figures is well
Cudci stood by the artist This naturally brought
about by the cload Of dust aud smoke in which
everything i more or less enyelOped, aud into
\k.ch the more distant figures recede becoming
rsndis;inct or nearly Invisible, according to their
distance Indeed, the only exceptions in the way
.. positive color consists Ihe red shirt OF the
wounded soldier in the foreground and the Confed-
FE1le gag ia tite AniaN vi tue tOtDl "S ol- Inc AZ
list has in this work manifested in high degree the
Two most important QUALIFICATIONS OF sn historical
YaiuIer-au appreciation OF the critical moment OF
seton best adapted to pictorial representation, and
y Mus Tor composition, which enables him to at
tract the spectators ATTENTION al once to the es-
sartials OF his subject. We trust that the present
- b. no means his las; essy towards the ilustra-
BioR Of our struggle Tor Independence.