The national Republican., 1868-12-02
The Fine Art.-"Moupt sIp.,.-

The Fine Arts" Mount Sinai"
It Is a wsll.known fact that Europeans are
generally impressed with the idea that Amer
leans have fIlse taste in all highly finished
or decorative works. executed by skillfui or.
lists, and they cater, when at work for the
American market and purchasers, TO what they
consider the popular demand, BY Offering US
productions Of gsudy and msrstricious style,
rather than Of the purest and best examples
Of workmanship In the schools Of the hne arts.
It 10 fact, we'll known to our largest import
ors. that whom any article OF excellence 10 de-
manded, they place particular stress upon the
order; and even then they do not always sue.
coed in obtaining q hrst class article. The
inconsistency Of tho American people Is illus.
trated in their peculiar method Of encourag.
ing native art, BY denying the ability ofAmer-
can artists to produce works exhibiting rare
skill and taste, and at the same time import
inferior articles from John Bull, siguor Mac.
earoni and Johnny crspeau. Ifthsy are really
honest, 1t is their duty to foster and sneour.
age native skin and talent IL they do not
appreciate American art, they need not won.
der II Il languishss. Fortunately. however,
there Is q limit even to this disposition, so
common to large class Of our people they
cannot import our lakes, rivers, folds, and
mountains-LAke George, Niagara Falls.
Fathers Of Water" White Mountains,
Natural Bridge, or even wier's Cave
There can be nothing moro certain than tho
fact that in every new work or design requiring
| t..te ,L;Il and ;udvmsnt n. ,h.,, AVA
that the artist will hnd him or herself taxed
to keep pace with the demand, and whoever
gratihes his taste by securing q specimen Of
art that requires the study and reflection Of
the artist, contributes directly to art. This
is the substantial and practical encouragement
Of art. Now, where ought the 6ns arts to be
more highly appreciated or better encouraged
than In this, the national capital Of a great
and powerful countryside very centre Of in
tellsot, genius, learning, and refinement
By visit to the new art gallery, just es.
tablishsd over Galt's splendid establishment,
$50 Ponusylvanis avenue, by Miner X. Kel-
logg. esq an artist Of rare ability, genius,
and taste, and thoroughly American in every
respect, and in love for everything American,
notwithstanding his long residence abroad in
Europe and tho Lsvant, We were constrained
in the foregoing crude observations. Mr..
Kellogg has just settled hero with the design
Of making Washington his future home, and
even while sketching amidst the classic and
historic scenes Of Europe and Asia, Washing.
ington was the Mecca Of his heart. He has .
considerable collection Of his own works,
drawn and painted lover tho hills and far
away"
OF the many attractive works In his gallery
our time and space will only permit Us to NO.
tioe, briefly, one-the most noted and finest as
. landscape painting-"Mount Sinai" and
the Plain Of sobaiyeh. This Is quite large
work, and was painted from sketches and
drawings taken upon the spot in the year
1874, BY Mr.. Kellogg, while upon an exploring
expedition, in company with the renowned
traveller. Austin Henry Layard, LII. D,
F. R s. As our readers are aware, It Is q
historical work, and tho first ono Of the kind
pOrtrsyipg this famous scene Of sacred his
tory. As q Landscape scene, In its present
aspect, it is not very inviting, and to the
wicked matter of fact observer, 1t is not sur.
| pthinB tuht tue cnhuren OF lsrael snOulu
have lOnged for the assh pots in the land Of
| Goshen.
Sinai is rugged, rocky mountain, almost
entirely bare Of vsrdure and without any
shrubbery in view, other than the "bush"
where Moses stood, which is not represented
in the burning condition spoken of in Holy
Writ but Moses in his jOurneying is seen
planting his standard in the plain beneath,
with bis camels and sheep. The neutral sky,
with the light, aoeey clouds peculiar to tho
Orient, is finely executed, and for q scene
where so little material exists to make 1t at.
tractiye to the eye, other than by fancy
touches" which to carry out would be violat
ing the truth Of nature and history, will chsl.
! lepge the test of criticism and add q glow Of
pleasure to the admiring eye.
Mr.. Kellogg has many other fns painting
J.. In his gallery which amply repay 4 visit of the
D dilettanti society, which we will speak Of here
t after at a more convenient season.