New-York tribune., 1868-05-29
FINE ARTS.

figures representing the Pitcher and the Striker III the
favorte American game of baseball. These figures
are so thoroughly good that we shall be surprised
if they do not speedily become very popular ana VIC
heartily wish they may. They are true to nature 70
degree that modern sculpture, even what Is caleu
the best of it, very rarely reaches but they satisfy
the claims of art as well. Two more spirited, ener-
petc figures we have not met with for long while
and vet when we see what an admirable subject Mr.
Miller has hit upon we wonder that none OF our men
ever saw the opportunity before 1t seldom happens
that few dollars will buy SO good work Oh art as
this pair of bal-players, and Mr. Muller is 10
be cordially thanked and we trust VIII be
well rewarded for having put these clever concep-
lions of his into such cheap materials that NUMEROUS
of people who cannot afford TO buy French bronze
and very few of those that are brought to our mar
ket except their animals and portrait busts are worth
buyng-can easily afford to treat themselves to these
pretty ornaments for the mantel-piece We would
suggest that they would make very acceptable prizes
for schoolbOys and for successful ballplayers
So far as beauty and interest concerned we would
much rather receive them for a testimonial" than
many a silver vase or cup that we have seen in shop
windows.
Beside these figures Mr. Miller has also published
two which, though very good in their way, have not
the charm Of entire originality and of artistic beauty
that his ball-players have. One Is a blacksmith
lighting his pipe with the redho end of an iron rod
the other is a sculptor at work upon capital OF
these the blacksmith is much the BETTER his action Is
natural. though his attitude is not quite to our
mind. 1t is too elegant" The action of the sculp-
tor is a little weak; his blows do not tell.
1.-THE NEW REPUBLIC" BY FERDINAND PAUwELs.
| Ferdinand Pauwels's allegorical picture, 'The
New Republic" now on exhibition at the rooms OF
Messrs Miner Barker No sl5 Broadway. is very well
worth seeing both the latest production OF an artist
of high standing in Europe, and as another evidence
added the many that have preceded OF the deep In
terest taken in our national affairs by men OF culture
abroad.
Ferdinand Pauwels OF the best painters OF the
modern school Of Belgium, school that boasts many
celent artists and least one-BarOn Henri Leyswho
has remarkable talent, If cannot call 1t genius
Pauwels is Professor Of Painting in the Grand Dueal
Academy at Weimar. In 1851 he took the first
| prize at the Royal Academy OF Antwerp, ana
| in the following year he received the first prize
| for Rome, which entitled him TO spend four
years of study in that city at the expense OF the Belgian
Government In the Great Exhibition OF 1882, at London
his picture Of the Widow Of Van Artevede bringing by
the hands OF her son. her husbands orders and his sword
as her contribution 70 the defense Of Client against Bur
eundy was one Of the notable pictures OF the great
gallery, govo him place only second 10 Leys end
Galla after Wrappers and DE Keyser, its founders or,
rather Testorer the greatest modern masters Of the
Belgian school.
We are not informed as TO the circumstances under
which Pauwels has Ipanted this picture whether the
subject was his choice whether it was comms
sion, but he has evidently executed the work with enthu
slasm. His object has been TO commemorate the two
great events in the history of free labor In this country
by which, on the hand, of slaves have been
made citizens and put on the road to enrich country
which, before they had only impoverished and on tho
other vast domain has been thrown open 10 industry
and thrift without money and without price These two
great events are the Signing Of the Act OF Emancipation
l,,T c1r 1ba Pa ~ fltg lead
In the middle Of this large canvas, a high dali,
stands the figure Of America with welcoming In.
vtng the emancpated blacks share the freedom of
her own children and greeting the crowd Of engrant
who press her shores, with offers Of citizenship ad
Free Homes in her boundess territory. On side OF
this majestic figure but little behind her stands Wash
| ington in his uniform COMMANDMENTS Chief, with
group OF Old COntinentals dlmy about him, whi
on the other is Abraham Lincoln with his hand resting
| on the unroled Proclamation Of Emancipation Al
the left Of the picture number Of negroes represent Ia
various groups immediate effects Of the evangcl
to their tall and stalwart mulato looks proudly
up the Protecting Genius OF America, and with
arm clasps his wife, from whom lie has long
been separated by the cruelty OF Slavery.
while with the other hand he seizes tho poW,
| the instrument by which his newfound
freedom is TO be maintained girl Of ten years-one of
the best figures in the pctureclngs 10 her parent with
joy and naked little picannny embraces his mothers
knees Near this group, young white boy lifts from
the ground negro weighed down by chains the motive
of this group not perfectly clear the white boy a.
tanly not pointing the fallen black to the figure Of the
Republic, the printed description says he Is. On the
contrary appears TO be pressing the down with
the right hand and with the other makes halthreat
| ening gesture at America One would almost
think that Pauwels meant by these two to indi-
cate the posture Of the conquered South toward
slave and his berator The only thing that makes the
supposton doubtful the expression OF the boys face
which is not angry. Behind these foreground figures
number Of blacks are gathered about Henry Ward
Beecher who giving them instruction. while others are
pressing the steps 10 pour out their gratitude TO the
power that shas freed them Hero again the arrange
defective for Lincoln is not the side Of the
picture that contains the emanepaed blacks does
into relation with them in any way. On their side
is Washington, himself Shareholder and aristocrat, who
really has no place in this picture.
The righthand side Of the painting is filed with
crowd OF emigrants who flock TO seek new homes, at
racted by the Free Homestead Bill the author of which,
Gausha A. Grow them with outstretchcd hands
standing conspicuousy the steps Of the das his
figure relieved against the sky Many Of these emigants
are excelenty painted, the heads and costumes
vigorous and characteristic This group gives the artist
an opportunity he has not failed seize TO show his love
Of bright strong color and the result pleasing
although We like best Of all in this respect the figure Of
the little negro girl on the left.
1t is certainly very pleasant to think OF foreigner
taking so lively interest in affairs as 10 be I'M
PEELED paint picture Of this importance doing honor
TO our progress ideas But while we DO not know that
he could have chosen any better vehicle than alegoy for
expressing his thought heartily wish there had been,
for alegory is dangerous instrument and there few
hands that WELD it dexterousy. We do not think
Mr. Pauwels has earned the right by this pic
ture TO have his name inscribed among these
few 1t is composition that does not explain
who has heau Ov