New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-04-16
THE ACADEMY or DESIGN.

PRIVATE VIEW OF THE FORTY SECOND EXHIBITION.
Where the rest of the world was last night we do
not know but goOdly portion of il crushed, painted
elbOwed. and stfed in the rooms of the Academy.
Although the rooms were open III the afternoon few
could have taken advantage of the opportunity Of
seeing the pictures by daylight the majority of the
friends of art waiting until evening, when they
could not only see but be seen. Indeed, this annual
opening seems to be seized upon occasion for the
display of extravagant and unsuitable toilets ;
costly dresses that cannot be seen IN the crowd
that are trampled and torn in the crush, and that
seriously interfere with the comfort and pleasure of
those who would like to see the pictures, but who
obliged to give at least one 10 steer clear of
trains yard long that may be torn from the waist
by step, or lace shawl hose cobweb texture may
be ruined by an unlucky button. Under these CIR
cumstances il is well enough, perhaps, that the
artists have made so feeble an attempt To compete
with the mneTs and that we lose so lttle precious
art by being obliged 10 look at the dresses For IT, IN
survey of the walls tonight, we were able to take
true measure OF the present exhibition, We
fear that there has seldom been such
an unsatisfactory display. At all events
do not remember an exhibition That has had so
few striking interesting pictures IN IT. Even the
academcans themselves seem 10 have deserted their
posts and left the field 10 be won, or lost by others
Mr.. Eastman Johnson has particularly fine picture
&" The Claim Agents Visit" Mr., T. b. Wood sends
three that have excellent Qualities. Mr.. Charles
Moore Mr.. Henry Newman, Thomas Farrer and his
brother Henry. Miss Cranberry Miss Wenzler, and
Miss Mcdonald, all send clever work. Dir. Laiarge
interesting corner; but, when this is said, there
remains little else and the prospect would have
small encouragement in it, If We felt that the
future of art in America depended upon the
Academy 1t is in the belief that it does not IN any
way depend upon this most inadequate and ineifi-
cient institution that refuse To borrow too much
encouragement from these ever deterorating eXhi-
billions They will probably continue 10 grow worse
and worse. until healthy discomfort seizes the public
mind, and vents itself in a searching and uncOmpro-
missing criticism. At present, what with Incidence
the part of the artist and that easy selfcompla-
cence which springs from lack of culture; and what
with a gOOd-natured tolerance the part of
the public that takes with equal thanks
the good the bad and the Indifferent. do not be-
leye there ever was such me lanchoy condition OF
Art, anywhere as there is III America to-day. And
il is not made bit less melancholy by the fact that
we have beautiful halls devoted 10 pictures and
statues, that best and most beautiful women, our
best and bravest, and most cultivated men come
eagerly when the artists call them 10 what they
have been doing the year long in their studios that
| music breathes and flowers glOw-fOr WHAT We
have "a sumptuous shell. but, the kernel Has any
| one news of the kerneY