The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-05-03
NOTES ON ART.
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One OF the most prominent features Of the present
exhibition OF the Academy Of Design Is offered as
usual, by the portraits. Bandly serene bank pres-
dents, simperingly conscious beauties, gorgeously
norid matrons, all look down from their elevated
positions with complacent air, as II each one was
thoroughly satisfied at being the cynosure Of all
eyes, 1t Is refreshing to compare the portraits OF
this exhibition with those Of last year, and
TO notice great Improvement on the part Of
some artists. Mr.. Hicks, for instance has made
such progress that safely lay to our souls the
iattering JUNCTION that 1t would be now impossible
for him to produce again such ''sprawling abomi-
nation" the waste of canvass which he last year
called portrait Of Dr. Kane. OF the portraits which
he contributes the two most pleasing to Our mind
are No. 526 Mr.. Parke Goodwin, and No. S46 Mr. Will
liam M. Evarts. OF these the one OF Mr.. Goodwin is
the better, showing more thought and feeling,
and being more soft and luminous in its
lights and shadows. There is, however
one part Of Mr.. Hicks system against which
we must enter mild but firm protest, and that Is
his frequent introduction of freshly painted bits
among the accessories. They add nothing to the
picture, destroy the harmony and often show an
ignorance II not contempt for the tout ensemble Of
effect.
Mr. Huntington paints this year as he has painted
for the last dozen years, and as he probably will
paint d. W. for the next dozen years to come 1t Is
surely dispraise to say that artist sustans
honorable eary-won reputation. How many there
are whose latest works are by no means their bestl
Mr.. Elliott's portraits are still as vivacious and
vigorous ever though 1t may be questioned II he
does not sometimes so heghten the original qualities
Of his subject as to approach very near the
bounds Of that shadowy region called untruth.
It Is curious to compare with his crisp and dis
fiucf dol fhe "A mil IN m
which Mr.. Pages paintings are executed. the lat
ter however grow upon the spectator, and the more
do they become This style Of painting Is like two
edged sword, and unless very carefully welded Is
extremely apt TO cut 6Gtn a1Iss ana tSe
slightest risk OF becoming coarse, vugarztng
artist.
matter how. His portraits are sometimes notice
able for certain superficial glitter which vanishes
on closer inspection and reveals lack OF study, OF
A forcble, earnest portrait is that Of Mr.: Lester
Waack. BY Mr.. w. Q. Stone, as Don Felix IN sne
the single drawback of the nesh tints Of the face
being somewhat hard. Not only are the pose and
faithfully e put mot ss aat
dismissed with few vague touches.
Those portraits which Mr.: LIE Clear sends are al
traces Of a ready, well trained eye and hand. We're
we disposed to be hypercntcal we might object that
n are M IN we ae NOT
disposed to quarrel with the artist for q feature
which may be- after all, purely imaginary.
Kaulbach's Era Of the Reformation.
The artistic event Of the week has been the exhibit
ton at Somervies Art Gallery, on Fifth avenue OF
the original cartoon for Kaulbachs New Era Of the
Reformationo This cartoon, which received the high
est official honors Of the late Paris Exposition, has
found, thanks to Mr.. Dmfee, permanent abiding
place in America and win be an inexhaustible and
priceless addition to our means OF art study and en-.
joyment. 1t is Of the richest fruits Of the great
order which Kaulbach received IN 1s45 for the deco
ration Of the new museum at Berlin. The themes
Of the six wonderful frescoes which he painted
IN pursuance Of that order are pI respectively,
Nations Of Greece Listening to the Songs Of
Homer,n 'The Battle Of the Huns" 'sThe De-
struction Of Jerusalem" 1.-THE Crusaders Entering
Jerusalem,n and lastly, this grand theme treated
with corresponding grandeur "Tne Era OF the Re.
formation1 The following brief outline will suggest
an idea of the scale and plan Of this great work or
modern art:-We find ourselves In the interior OIL
Gothic church of three naves. On a high choir 10 q
troupe OF singers, who the masters OF Protestant
church music below these on an elevated seat, are
the forerunners Of the Reformation, Huss, Savonss
roa, Abeard and his disciple Arnold, OF Bresc,h
Petrus waldus, vessel, Jaules aud wickIne. cue Ine
wall behind them Is adorned with "The LORDS Sup-
PERI Of Leonardo ia vinc Before the altar sIanus
Luther, holding up with both hands an open bipmie,
beside him stand Calvin and Duzenhagen nWInbn ~ o.
his right, Melanchon at his left giving ,ne
Lords supper TO the German princess W.