New-York tribune., 1867-05-30

dealers of Paris and the Salon 81 thus year the ApsIi
can visitor can if the subject is sympathetic, really
become acquainted with wh for want of any better
nearly satisfactory general term is loosely called the
French School
The Salon. or annual exhibition of the works of
LIVING artists was Oph,ed on the 18th of April. lt
contains 2f30 works 81 art There are 1881 oil paint
inS; 535 water colOrs oTayons miniatures enaDels,
aud ceramic paintings; Sl sculptures in marble, mod
els IN plaster, claY terracota medalli0ns, lntaghos
and caeOs; 50 architectural designs; l59 cDgravngs
so autographs. The number of pieces AZ smaller than
usual. Last year there were 1888, the year before
$500. Not more than two productions In any one
department of art be offered by the same author
From third TO half of all offered are rejected by
the Jury OF acceptance The present IS me 9th IN IN
order since che institution of the Salon IN France III
ls estimated that they have exposed an aggregate OF
l25,0O0 works of art in all kinds. Allowing 1or
each object square metre OF space "a yard ana trec
nches), which is not an extTavagant average ana we
have q total superhces of l25 square Kilometres
The kilometre is two-thrds of mile The Salon ls
q national institution, installed IN GoVerh-
ment building, and under the general manage
ment of Government. SiXty-ninc medals OF the value
of 400 francs each, and two grand medals oil honor,
valued mt 1000 francs each are awarded by jury
and distributed in solemn ceremony which ~ pre-,
sided by the Minister of the Imperial Household
and of the Fine Arts An eminent painter or scuip-
tor is regarded equally with eminent military or
political savant of the country az proper recipient
of the Cross of the Legion of Honor lngres painted
or rather drelc himself into the Senate From every
Salon considerable purchases are made by the State
though aTloving republicans may be assured that
the money patronage of art" by the State and even
a.
source of the revenue of French artists.
IL is not fashion but popular custom to make at
least one oritwO visits to the Salon during the two
months il is open. On weekdays admission costs
franc, and the receipts of pleasant day rise to 6OO
and 1900 francs. On Sunday, when it is free the
throng is often great that the entrancedoors have
10 he closed from time TO time The opening OF the
Salon is in ordinary times the event OF the season.
And this year when we havethe war excitement,
and an unusually interesting political situatlon"
and the Great Fair on the Champ de Mars Thy no
loses its attractive force with French ParlsIans
and, though inferior the whole TO some OF
the Salons of years, will largely repay the timo
given to its study by such ingenious Americans as
are curious to know something more of the French
School" than Broadway picture and print-
sellers shop offers the means of learning. This re-
porter is not going to set up critical IN the prem
ises though In the matter of old wine, speculative
theology, and what future history" will say thcrc
is hardly business going in which one can set up
with small acquired capital i'll the fine arts critic
hne. l was purposing rather to note down mainly
q few statistical and other indsputabe facts bearing
French art silent consideration of the which may,
perhaps be profitable for doctrine for reproof for
correction for instruction" TO the actual condition
and possible development of art and art criticism IN
the United States. Pear is the beginning of wis.
DOM" am afraid am verging ON dangerous ground
beyond patriotic limits-thOugh ours now stretch TO
the Pole. And mail time is up.