The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-10-27
NThe New ReHubIic.V

THERE is now on exhibition in the eastern
gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts large
and pIetentious picture, which is worthy Of no.
tice both on account of its very remarkable
merits and Its very palpsble defects. The
artist, Ferdinand Pauwels, has considerable
reputation in Europe although he Is compara-
lively unknown on this side of the Atlantic.
in the present work he attempts to give an
allegolical representation of the new order of
things in the great American Republic since
the Emancipation Proclamation blotted out
slavery, and made the stars and stripes of the
national ensign really symbols of freedom and
equality for all men, and since the passage of
tho Homestead law opened the uncultivated
lands of the great West to the industry of the
people OF every nation who might be disposed
10 seek their fortunes under the favorable
auspices and ample opportunities afforded by
free, enlightened, and powerful Government.
The Republic is symbolized by a stately fe
male figure, draped In blue and red, and
upriscn from canopied throne. overshadowed
by intermingled palm and banana branches
emblematlc Of peace and plenty. Her left hand
tests upon the parchment roll OF the EmsncI.
patton Proclamation, and her right is extended
with q gesture of power and benignity over a
group OF figures principally composed Of eman-
cipated slaves. Washington and a group of
Continental soldiers stand on the right of the
throne and on the left is Lincoln, with his hand
also resting upon the Emancipation Procama-
tioD, the great act OF his administration. These
figures form group bv themselves at the top
of richly carpeted flight of stairs. On the
right of the composition a thropg of men
women, and children, chiefly negroes, with their
chains stricken off, and In variety of ex pres
sive attitudes, are assem- bled about the foot of
the throne; and in the distance is seen the Capi-
tol, with its dome lost among the clouds.
ord ahar 10 int rndu int tl,an Of
OF this group, to indicate the Christianizlng
and educating influences of the "New Re-
public" on the left Galusha A. Grow, the
mover OF the Homestead act in the House of
Representatives, is represented In the act OF
welcoming immigrants OF every nation under
the sun; and for this portion of the picture
harbor, with its ships and other signs of com.
mercial industry forms an appropriate back
ground.
Allegory Is, as general rule, one of the most
difficult and one of the most unsatisfactory
forms of arr; and we confess to having an entire
and cordial sympathy with the popular aver
sion for II. We think that such distaste is
founded on good and substantial reasons, and
1t is a matter of no wOnderment whatever that
the ludicrous side of this remarkably fine
painting should be the first TO strike the spec
tator, and that it should be sufficient to obscure
its many noble qualities An allegorIcal work,
10 De worm anything AZ all, In tne DeSt arClStic
sense, requires genius not only of the very
highest order but of a very peculiar kind, and
even then 1t will appeal to a very limited audi
ence, and must rest It's claims for per-
petuity OF fame on the apprecla-
tion of the few rather than on the
applause OF the many Leaving the technical
merits OF this picture out of the question, we
have looked in vain for any Imaginative quail
Ties in IL which would entitle IL TO be consid-
eieo as great work of art. We do not think
we are entirely devoid of Imagination, and our
srrong admiration for what is good In the pic
ture tempts us TO strain point in favor of the
artist, and to award him all possible praise. A
candid and careful consideration of the subject
however, and an attentive study of The paint-
ing, force us to the conclusion that the work
itself is deficient In the quality we have named.
II even Of any value, which we doubt, this ale
gorical idea which M. Pauwels has elaborstei
in. a large and carefully executed picture
has become commonplace in the las
degree from figuring in the illustrated
papers, at the headings of newspapers, on cigar
boxes, and on transparencies. The comparison
OF the picture TO transparency is not inapt, for
that is what would be the first idea to strike
almost any spectator at the first glance. We do
not intend this remark for a sneer. but we are
convinced that If Mr.. Pauwels had seen as many