New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-05-23
FINE ARTS.
"rHE COTTAGE WINDOW

THE COTTAGE WlNDON'
Mossrs. Whiting Brothers, No. 81 BroadNay' nave
published a large photograph OF meua-ilon oy
"FRANK M,N1EY. y called THE COTTAGE WINDOW"
Drank Nanleyp is the nom de plume OF Mrs. r. Nj.
Dame a lady whose name is quito new to us but
who If we NAV Judge by this very clever but very
unnretendng performance, gives promise OF making
her work pleasantly known 10 the general public,
If we NAV form an opinion of her ability from The
Cottage Window" the only specimen OF her skill
that we have SEEM we should say that she has de-
cided talent for sculpture and that she ought to be
encouraged to persevere. She has treated this
homely subject with an uncommon degree OF sim
plicity and indebtedness. We do not of course,
know if she is capable of dealing with a subject OF
deeper meaning, or with one requiring eitheI
greater intellectual power or hsneI
degree Of technical skill but she ought 10 Dc wen
content with success if she achieve it IN treating
humble subjects sueh as the one before us. We beg
her not to attempt either "Afrcas," or "Iehopias'
or "Iincolnsp until a direct manifestation from
Uaaven shall convince her that she can Go so WIFI
ont making herself ridiculous; ana she VIII uSo uo
well not to mistake the advice OF her hlenuS' noi
their Aattery either for voice from the SKIES LeV
her study study, study; and model, mouel' lnouoi'
with steady eye to nature and profound respect
for natures best interpreters, thus far IN i''oio
the sculptOrs of the antique world, ana WIN INC
modest
sbe ia sure TO win an honorable pacein the world OF
artists even if that place shall he on the hearhsone
rather than on the pediment. Our women
scu1ptors have all failed thus far be-
rause they have not been content to climb,
Int have wished TO reach the top of the ladder by
sort of acrobatic eiort-or effort rather In spite
of our improved gallantry in these days, men are
after all pretty much of gruf old Sam Johnsons
mind with regard to the intellectual performances OF
women. "Sir.p said he to Boswell ga woman's
preaching is like dogs walking on his hind legs IL
is not done we'll but the wonder is that 1t can DC
done at ALL" The world, to-day, takes the same
view OF women's performances IN sculpture ana
painting even if it have learned TO respect them as
orators and authors 1t is impossible, almost LOT
%vonan's picture or women's statue, to get itself
fairly criticised Fattery, it can get oceans OF for
tbe asking: but, to examine it carefully and say,
plainly. what we think of it, is hardly worth
our while. And for lack Of judicious, candid
criticism. without GatteTy, but with simple
truth-telng, we have helped half dozen clever
ambitious women to waste their time and throw
away the opportunity of doing some useful work IN
the world. When few years ago we advised lady,
whose friends were calling her in the newspapers
female Phidias on the strength of certain statues
whose few good points were all borrowed and whose
many bad points were all her Own--when we ADVISED
her 10 lie content with educating herself to execute
ornamental work for our architects, with sculptu1ng
capitals and panels and frezes we were sneered at
y one set for our want of taste and by another for
our want of manners. Yet the advice was simple
good sense, and tits a thousand plues that the
lady did not think hest to follow it. Mrs. Danes
first attempt at sculpt ure is so credltabe that
we will not ask her TO think better Of her
choice of a profession; with. study and hard
work she may hope TO accomplish something but
she must believe that study and hard work are IN
dispensabe to any honest or stable success. 80 Iar
as the intention of this bas-reef of hers goes, little
or no fault is to be found with IT, The children are
all real living. everyday children, and they are
truly looking out of the window at something that
interests them; it may be the menagerie passing
along the road in front of their cottage or hand
organ man, with his monkey; whatever 1T be,
they are looking at it intent and pleased and not
making believe look it, And this is the principal
thing The defects such as may be corrected by
care and study. The four older faces are TOO much
alike They all have pug-nOses. And the baby can
not snugge so close TO his sister to conceal his
completely in the general guilt He, too. has an cyl
dent pug. Then there is a want of vigOr III the
forms of the arms Mrs Dame need not have been
30 true to the general scIawniness of American
children. She might have found stOuter model.
But on the whole this bas-rehef will please, and no,
body need DO ashamed at owning he IS pleased
with IT,