The New York herald., 1868-04-20
NOTES ON ART.

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The brilliant sun and soft, balmy air Of Saturday
succeeded In drawing to the classic halls Of the
Academy OF Design large number OF visitors. The
fair women Of New York turned out in force on the
first Saturday Of the spring exhibition ana the
ladies could have no better place than the Academy
in which 10 display their Easter clothing The large
rooms, the many pictures and the handsome dresses
combined to form an ensemble as striking as beau
tiful.
The present exhibition is a decided improvement
upon the one Of last year. There are few large pic
lures, and thus not only is opportunity given to
modest merit, but space Is not monopolized by a
few men. Another very pleasing feature In
the exhibition is the absence OF those por-
traits which, like Charles Lambs jokes, were
good-tn the way Of observation-disclosures they
were 80 bad. The few portraits on the walls, with
one or two exceptions discreetly hung almost out
OF sight, are fine exponents Of this noble branch Of
painting. Quite number OF some of our most
prominent artists conspicuous only by being
represented. This has made the collection inte-
resting by giving space to works by young and CON-
parativey unknown painters From the older men
we should have known what to expect; but' there is
refreshing variety among the minor artists which
Is agreeable If not sometimes amusing. Many OF
the pictures by the new men, although very poor,
intrinsicay, yet give signs Of promise, and lead
to expect speedy and valuable accessions to the
ranks Of those ''whom Genius calls her own" The
defect is, these works arise mainly from drawing
the majority Of the pictures showing good eye for
color and sJrong handling. With careful attention
and earnest study many of those artists who are
now deservedy laughed at would, in a short time,
become eminent brothers OF the brush
In notice like the present 1t is impossible to give
a critical digest Of all the pictures; shall, there
the most noticeable Very attractive paintings are
the two companion pieces by Mr.. W. IL. Beard,
entitled severally, Evening on the Prairie'' and
Morning on the Prairie" In the former s depicted
q trOup Of sandhill cranes busiy searching on the
marshy ground for food; dim twilight Is stealing
over the picture, and IN the background are seen
the last faint CLEANS Of the setting sun. In the
other, Morning" the picturesque birds heavily
rising and taking flight "to fresh fields and pastures
new." The moist ground and quiet water, on which
sleeping pond lilies, Lit up by the ascending
sun. The light trickles through the morning mist
ana brilliant band stretches above 10. The atmos-
pheric effect In both Of these pieces is ne parcu-
larry SO In the Morning" the delicate gradatOns OF
color in the midst being extremely well rendered.
the warmth and neat neat OF the departed day are also
Mr. Gignoux sends but one painting 1t is called
SOFT tender warmth for which the productions OF his
pencil are so well known. smooth sheet OF water
occupies the centre; at the back curve mountains
and TO the right are stately n0ddng pines. The mist
is slowly lifting from the mountains and its curling
forms are reflected In the water below, 1.-The sun,
shorn Of his beams, looks horizontal through the
misty airn The workmanship OF the painting Is soft
and delicate FULLY In accordance with The conception
OF the subject The details and minor points are we
Mr. Glgnoux Is a skiful artist, and, as this picture
tells q successful student Of nature In her most
pOetcal and beautiful moods
Mr.. McEntee exhibits three pictures-"The Ruin"
Gan Autumnal Afternoon" and Lake Placid" in
the Adisondsck Mountain Ihe arst OF these Is an
empty dreary waste Of snow and stands out In bold
relief against the wintry moon creeping up into
'Autumnal Afternoon Is bright and pleasing; well
painted are the variegated grass and the birches
over over. the scene Is q dim, shimmering haze. Mr..
McEntee In this picture s happy In his rendering Of
the rich luxuriousness OF an American fall. The
mountain, robed in mist and crowned with brilliant
sunlight; the water is In repose and reflects rocky
Mr.. 8. K. Ginord sends three paintings:-"An In
dian Summers Day." "Shrewsbury River' and "a
Roman Twilightn all Of which show tender senti-
ment and exquisite color. The last ID q view from
the Pincian Hin, Just behind the large basin which
crowns II. Seen through the outrageous trees 70
cool, dewy shades OF night. In the water Of the
basin is reflected the golden light OF the SUM- Is
beautiful representation Of peaceful summers day
small spirit Of sand runs out into the river and In
the distance 10 line Of vessels reaching back into
Mr.. Coman is represented by two paintings, 'The
Late Afternoon and castle Garden.n The latter is
attention and study. This subject presented nne
arrangement Of erect and In one which should be
peculiarly attractive to al New Workers. The Bat.
accessories, Governors Island and Castle william,
are introduced. The work is to be noted for all the
characteristics Of Mr. Colmans manner, breadth and
simplicity, without neglecting detail.
Mr.. John B. Bristol sends three pictures, "Ascut-
Afier the Rains The first is q cool, shadowy
country scene, the mountain rising In the
distance, im base encircled with mist. supe.
scene in happy valley surrounded by hills In the
background is o small village, nearly concealed by
inr grass. The picture is painted In low tone and
the air Of serenity is pleasing and effective.
MT. ordwsy sends two pictures only, "Ths Rarm
unpretentious painting representing what the title
purports. The other is larger and better On
From The bank on the opposite side Of the stream
towering trees ft their leafy arms towards the sky
n ;ne distance q :, y simple country lam MT
and In these two pictures II " shown to advantage.
The rendering Of the component parts IL quiet. but
M. Ehnger is best represented by his large
portrait Of Professor Charles Anthon late Of Column
bla College. This portrait has been so extensively
noticed recently and 80 universally admired that Il
is supernuoue TO say word In ITS praise.
Ss0 sons sea ssnds " Rsrts, OF Mr. Issts sss
most dramatic portrait exhibited In the Academy,
and s deserving Of the praise which Is has generally
TWO OF the most important portraits In the gale.
res are those by Mr. Cabanel, Of Mr.. Mccormick and
his Wife--the latter being the superior.
Any further notice Of the pictures We reserve until
n future occasion.
DR. Petries collection OF ancient Irish works Of art
and archaeology having been purchased by the gov
ernmeni Il viii probably be deposited In the Muse
nm OF the Royal Irish Academy This place Ia obvi-
ously the most t for the purpose but We should be
glad to see the most interesting items Of the new
purchase exhibited loan either af the British or
the South Kensington Museum. -AAsneum.
Mr. p. Goodall has In hand for the forthcoming
ROYAL Academy Exhibition two pictures which deal
with the ufe Of the Virgin st opposed poinM:--l.
"The Purincataon after the birth Of Christi she