New-York daily tribune., 1866-02-22
FYNE ARTS.
Tho Fourth Exhibition Of Frcrcs nnd
Eten,i-h r'fctures.


Tenth st. for the last three months, viii close mex
Saturday Considering what we should have icit about
twelve years ago IL may ungratefr 90 TO write
To-day that this collection is not remarkable onei il
contains few stirling pictures IN proportion TO its size
hardly single welknOwn master is represented by
Grstclass work. the Mcissonier is indeed very hnC
one; but the one in Mr. Belmont's Gallery, and thai
which formerly belonged TO Mr. Wolfe although either
OF them has fewer fg,rcs than this are relatively as
fne. Then the G6.ome, and the Willems, the
Plassan and above al. the Leys are In
ferior 10 other works OF these masters with
which we have been made familiar Of late; or If not
allowed inferior then at any rate less interesting,
This we write today out have sad twelve years
ago how dffercr Is VIC should have clt and written.
Then tie advent of single work by famous foreign
artist was an event in our life How well We remem'
ber the deep delight with which saw for the nTst
time famous wOrk-DelaTochos Marie Antoinette
leaving the Tribunal" his own reduction oi 'he
"H6micycle;" AIRY ScbeheF's Temptation OF Chrls1
and his Dante and Beatrice" Horace 'ernets
"Joseph and lis Brethreni or Landseers Twins.
What pleasant memories it recalls TO write these
names And since that day, the taste and enterprise
ofMr Knoedler whose mans must ever be bonorably
associated with the history of the growth Of love OF
srt in this oountTy--have made us familiar with the
works of many Of the men who represent the
Art Of France and Bel-um at the pres
Ont time In his pleasant gallery we have become
acquainted with G6lomc Willems. Leys Tissot. Frere
YroyOn. FicheI TO say nothing of crowd Of lesser
and younger names who viii iu tler turn perhaps be
famous. And therefore. he has given rs year by
year the best Of this continental! work to study or al
least the best that could be procured, We are grown
somewhat dainty, and Mr., Pilgeram's collection
little critically, and think, perhaps with pardonaoe
vanity that he did rightly estimate his guests since
his later wire hardly good that be brought out
earlier in the feast
But in truth it is not easy to get the finest works OF
these Europeans for exhibition or sale on TINS sde 'ne
water The earlier works OF the French and Belgian
painters. the steps by which they climb to fame and
fortune are not difficult TO get possession Of but when
once they ha, achieved distinction, We have TO bid for
their productions against emperOrs dukes ard bankers
with fathomess pockets. To be sure We have already
secured some valuable prizes and in time shall have
more but for while must expect to be supplied
with the pictures of young and untried men, Not that
this is by any means be desped; on the contrary 1t
Is often very precious and the pictures whib have been
exhibited and purchased here thus for have taught us
much that is valuable, much that we should not have
knovn without them.
On the NuOe, perhaps tDe IOet nllhuhtiuE P4N'uANS
ofthis collection are those Of Legs These four finished
studies fo7 frescoes painted by him In dinngroom IN
Antwerp have excited lively dscussion-a discussion
which has been yees and most intelligent among The
souuger men. In spite Of widely divergent tendencies
among the rising men, there seems general admission
of the value of Legs Art Not that the decision can be
thoroughly well founded. however, because his most
mastery and splendid work has not been seen on this
Ia Dtap for the RanCuC' "
in the present collection shows lis power as coorist
better than anything else that We have had-but 10
Judge bin fairly in this regard such pictures his In
staation Of the Knights Of the Golden Fleece Q0th jan
l429)-The Oath" belonging TO the Duke Of Bra5ant
"Margoret Of Austra receiving the 0aths Of the ch
ers of Antwerp" belonging 10 the Empress of Russia
Publication of the Edict of Charles v In 1870 Intro
o.cing the Inquisition into tie Netherlands" these
splendid works would perhaps reverse some rash de-
eisions founded less important productions that
tave found their way to this country. But, even from
them IL il plain 20 see that Leysls born colorst and
Il is dcult to understand how any can doubt 1t
who has studied the Preparation for the Banquet on
these walls The objection made TO the subjects treated
by Leys and to the way in which be treats them, are
more explicable. He has such intense interest in
medieval Antwerp and such an innate sym
psthy with the medieval spirit. that II col
ors every tint and controls every line; and
1t is wonder that Democratic, nineteenthcentury
America cannot take any interest in the record Of
age 80 opposed TO her. Bat for oil that, It's abb
surd exaggeraton for people TO pretend that itmakes
them III 10 look at these pictures Sometimes,
selves who delight in Leys will generously admit that
he carries matters too far. THE Arrival" is not
without offectation: but something Of this may be
owing TO the artists attempt 10 introduce modern
types OF face and modern costumes into medieval SUBJ
iec., aud. yet It's odd how fashion little out Of
date looks aDquated The white hat Of The lady in the
left hand group older than yesterday. and many
5oung, pretty woman. who smiles incredulously
these queer people today, has had Just
such her graceful head; yet, you see. every
one Of the forgeul beauties think it quite as sixteenth
centuryish the rest Of the odd gear Unfortunately
these pictures are to 60 back to Europe There i, NOT
the right kind OF culture here for them yet They lead
too far back. For most of our picture buyers the
smbica cord that biuds them 20 the mothcr.age has
been long while cot. and they have not the least dis
position to renew their youth But the time pretty
sure to come when people viii wonder at the ease with
which Mr. Pilgeram sold such clever hut only clever
work as Bauguiets. and could find purchaser for
canvas which intelligence like that Of Legs Lad
accorded one Of its impressions
OF Messoner, there is no need 10 speak further at
present Unfortunately, most people rest in admira
lion wonder at BIS microscopic finish and DO not
what delicate observation Of character he has; what
learning and perception 60 TO every stroke ard how
loyal he is TO the truth His works are in reality larger
than they fine, and when the eye is tired the mind
finds food enough Meissonier viii not safe tho appe
lite he feeds his material holds aud bis pictures look
most sodly painted. he sure Of the ftare as he is
Of the present