The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-10-24
Irving and His Literary Friends.

Among the many beneficial results that will
attend the distributions of paintings by the Cros
by Opera House Art Association, probably the
most important, because the most universal, will
be the wide spread dissemination of elegant en-
cravings from the works of great artists. 1t is
impossible to over-e stimate the effect which the
presence of these fine prints in many house
holds will have in refining and cultyating a
higher and truer taste for art among the people.
Even the cheap, flaming colored prints we used
to see in country taverns and rustic residences
had their mission, and accomplished their work
in the cultivation of love for the beautiful
But these finely executed copies of noble paint
ngs mark, in their extensive distribution, anoth-
epoch in the development of art-culture.-
Next to a splendid painting, fine engraving is
most desirable for the walls of drawing room
or library, and the Crosby Association is doing
a noble and valuable work in filling so many
homes with engravings of the choicest and best.
The effects of their presence will be visible, after
many days, in more rapid and thorough devel-
opment of true art taste in the west.
While these general remarks apply equally to
sll the beautiful engrayiDgs the association fur
nishes to subscribers, we set out with the pur-
pose of calling little special attention to the
picture entitled washington Irving and his
Literary Friends" as one of the most desirable,
in a popular sense, of the whole. The print con-
tains accurate portraits, from the celebrated pen
literary celebrities of Irving's time-the best and
most authentic portraits published. Besides lr-
wing, the central figure in the group, the picture
represents Hawthorne, his genial face lost to Us,
also, forever; Longfellow, Prescott Fenimore
Cooper, J. X. Paulding, n. P. Willis, Tucker
man, J. 7. Kennedy, 0. W. Holmes, Simms,
Bancroft, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Haleck, and
". c. Bryant-a collection of American literati
well worthy to grace any home in the land
The likenesses are accurate, and the grouping
more easy and natural than ia often seen in SINH
| lar works. 1t is very effective and striking
picture throughout, and, we believe, the best
| specimen of engraving We have ever seen from
the BURN of an American artist.
What adds to the value of the engraving is the
fact that copies to be had after the dis
tribution shall have taken place; some of the
once Yell-known faces are covered from earth
forever and can therefore never be reproduced,
so that, the years roll on, and copies of this
print became more rare, the remainder will &C
quire additional and antique value, and those
who possess them will be considered fortunate
| indeed While each of the other engravings
| possesses an intrinsic merit OF its own, which
| home, the Irving engraving combines features
| which give it especial value, and which render
| it particularly sought for. The time will come
| when every copy of this print will command
| double or treble the price at which it s fur
| nshed the public.
The original painting will very shortly be on
exhibition in the art gallery in this city.-Lhica-
60 Republican.