The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-01-05
LIFE ON THE METAIRIE.


Beow we give a communication, written by a
gentleman Of tbs city whose capacity to handle
The subject of which he treats, is well known to
the public of this city. The work Of art referred
to is remarkably fine production, in the jads.
ment of those who are qualified TO form an
opinion, and we hope 1t will prove remunerative
to the worthy artists:
LIFE ON THE METAIRIE.
The above title indicates a picture lust being
completed and shortly to be placed for exhibi.
ton on the Fair Grounds. The Inception. the
composition the grouping, the eoloring and the
general artistic skill with which it has been exc.
cuted, together with the great interest that the
picture derives from the fact that there are in 1t
forty four portraits of well known living citizens
OF New Orleans, makes il important that we state
the circumstances under which this singular and
meritorous work of art has been offered 10 the
public. Having repeatedly, with many other gen
tlemen Of the city, who knew OF the progress OF
this picture. visited the studio of the artists, and
learned many facts connected with 1t, we trust to
be paTdoDed by them il we reveal 10 the public
what We have thus learned.
Ii seems then, that some months ago Mr..
Noise, our well known portrait painter who has
resided for years among us, having been struck
with the skill exhibited IN the painting of a GER
tain sign he promptly. aud properly concluded that
il was the work Of no ordinary hand. He accord
ingly sought an Introduction to the artist by
mesns Of an Interpreter flor Mr.. Pierson speaks
Louis Napoleon, at a salary of $500 six huudrsd)
dollars per month to paint battle scenes and make
Sketches 10 Mexico; many of which are already
sent 10 France. But the failure Of the French
eIpeTofs designs led TO the cOnfscation of
small farm which Mr.. Pierson had purchased,
whilst lie was, himself, shot in the shoulder, aud
driven from the land. When Mr.. Noise learned
these facts, he invited the artist to his studio
handed him fine steel engraving of portrait of
Glencoe (tbe painting of horses being his peculiar
excellence, though he seems master of every
branch Of tie ari) told him that the studio and
all the implements Of the art were at his COM
nsnd and desired him to paint the portrait Of that
well-knOwn sire Of the best blood of our country.
This was accordingly done. The introduction of
other figures in the picture brought about pleas
ing effect, and it was soon disposed of for $3.50
lie then, at the request Of hr. Wilson. painted
from lfe a portrait of Seth Warner" pro-
mixing trottiDg stallion and son of the noted Ethan
Allen.
Nr. Noise then proposed TO him to unite their
efforts and suggested the painting of picture
which would probably repay them for their labors
Dir. NJ. then proposed an exhibition of stock
on The Metairie race track, and to make the spec
tatOTs EeTfect licensees OF noted citizens OF our
city. This being agreed upon the artists
tackled sheets of brown paper against the wall,
and Mr.. PiersOn commenced the designs
by sketcbing ia charcoal the various
horses, buggles, groups, ketc etc. This
being completed Mr. hoiss called upon
the various gentlemen and had their photographs
taken in the respective positions designated IN
the sketches. We have seen all these photo
graphs, and think it proper here to state that
they were admirably executed by Messrs. 3 q G..
Moses, corner of Canal and Camp streets, and that
these gentlemen offered commOdiOus and well
lighted room where the picture has been in pro-
g1ess for months. Mr.. Lilienthal, We also learn,
had lent his aid to assiss in the success Of this
work, and drove bis apparatus TO the race-track,
with the artists, 10 select seme point of sight from
which pleasing effect could be prOduced and
well they have chosen It. since a view of the mem
beTs and judges stands aud the distant landscape
is plainly seen, While a sail or two of slOop or
schooner apparently floating through the woods,
marks the progress of the canal, and indicates the
wit that cozzened old Neptune over the plains of
Louisiana.
so now stands this interesting picture. Such
work in the city Of New York, with the same
Glars of men, would have more than a nominal
value. The public worth and private fortune of
the self.made men ~ of that great city would
spare no means 10 have so lasting record of
their well earned hOnors and fortunes; and when
they have left their sphere Of action in this life,
their descendants would still point with pleasure
10 the proud pre- eminence Of their ancestors.
And such would be the csse with US;
but alas for New Orleans, now that a severe
epidemic has passed over the South-now
That the wretcSed seals
That close the nest lenee brok,
And drd cities wal the sroke,n
Now thst our crops have failed and civil war
has wrought its work OF ruin over the land, but
few. private individuals, or even public nstit.-
lions, feel authorized in an expenditure adequate
TO the real value Of this laborious work. The au-
thOrs of it, therefore, have determined to dispose
Of il by rattle. Mr. A. B. James, Capt. C. Il. SlO.
comb and Mr.. J. Orchard, will take the manage
ment Of the project, and they will give further
particulars, which we will hereafter notice. BIT
must not forget TO ssy word about the
splend dor of the frame made by Mr. A. Koehile,
No. 10 Rampant street, whose skill has given an
additional and pleasing effect to the work.