The New York herald., 1869-06-26
ART IN PARIS.

PARIS, June II, 1869.
In my last correspondence on the exhibition OF
paintings at the Paais de pIndustrie l forwarded
the names OF the artists who have carried of the
prizes this year. They are mostly all landscape
painters, among whom the following are most re-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., Cesar de Cock, Hanoteau, Har-
plgnes and Lansyer. M. Camille Bernier's "Plan
IN Brittany" and his "Spring OF Water" are
two opposite styles. One shows wild, uncon-
quered, unyleldNg nature the latter woodland
site of irresistible fascination Cesar de Cock has
Morning in the Wood at Sevres." tits long ave-
nue., arched by light branches which cross above.
but allow the early sun to glitter through on the
ground below 1t is fresh, airy and inviting, and so
true that the visitor almost fancies he can hear the
Sum Of the insects moving under every blade of
grass: the lark starts up IN the distance among
nebuous but opal tinted atmosphere.
OF the two exhibited by Lansyer one is not so dis
tnguIshed production as the other IL IS the
"Chateau of Pierrefonds" which is awkwardly
Placed in the centre OF the canvas and has lost
much Of its picturesque situation: but the other con-
ri6ution, 1.-The Bac de Port Ru," stream in Brittany
is, for transparency, lucid simmer and ripple, OF
the most genuine kind. II would be tedious to
tce all the excellent landscapes that have been sent
n and still it Is worthy Of mention that the modern
French school excels in this style than in any
other. Neither will describe the contributions OF
all those to whom medals have been awarded be-
cause these distinctions like in the hands
the government, they fall indiscriminatey often,
and deserving painter close by is overlooked.
James Bertrand, a native Of Lyons, Is by no means,
however, an undeserving recipient OF the medal.
His painting Is one of the best Crowds truly, do
not stand around it they do before NJ Comtes lit
tie dressed-up pigs "dancing in the pre-
sence OF Louis XI.," but no one passes
by Bertrands "Death Of Virginia' without q
stop, followed by tender sigh. The story Of Paul
and Virginia has ever left some sweet memory Of
bygone days in the mind Of the reader. We all re-
member how and when we perused it-nay, how we
wept over the lovers. Nothing has since then so
moved us-not even the story Of Heloise and Abe
lard not even Romeo and juliet. Therefore vir-
gina, shown to US by NJ. Bertrand, stlrs the best
remaining atoms of our manhood Ill glow Of youth
fu! emotion The young maiden is seen just as the
last tnge OF girllsh blood has departed from her
cheek. She is lying, foreshortened the front
plan, with her head on dry beach, strewn with
smell here and pebble there there but seaniily;
which she is embedded, and its foam
ON the top shows that 1t is retreating
IN anger at having to leave unto another approach
ing the task OF removing the fair graceful form
to some other resting place string OF small coral
suspended under the bowed chin. His last effort
was evidently TO MAINTAIN her skirts close from the
rude grasp OF the ocean one small shoe is lost ana
the little foot is under the folds OF silk stock
ing that wrinkles oosey the other fast with roseted
shoe exactly such one as we have tancied vir-
ginia had, light, bounding foot that scarcely left
traces the green moss behind and rendered 1t so
difficult Tor Paul TO find her. The vid palor Is more
the whiteness OF marble than DEATH and the green
sh tint spread over the body proceeds from those
sad seq waves, winch were the grave OF our youths
loved heroine.
Another moving picture Is by Armand Gautler,
emitted Poor Moiher.r IL is not mother In silk,
satin velvet struck in her maternal idolatry by
the revelation of some great offence committed by
a
very poor country lane, dressed in the simplest of
village Clothes In the background Is seen baby's
coffin carried by two TO the churchyard close
| by In the front stands the mother, coming back;
sne is trying 10 stand nrm raising meek eyes up to
the couded heaven; just then very old matron has
come out OF the diapidated cottage TO take the be-
| reaved mother IN her trembling arms and lead her
III. "PdhD,e mere" seems TO echo the aged female
and she looks into the young mothers face read
| how deep Is the wound at neart Tor she knows it
than once, and she knows too, 10 words will com
| fort: her expression is all-"Lean ON me, child,
a stricken one full OF pity for thee"
Gerome's paintings this year show total change
OF style. Every one remembers his Phryne. his Cal.
yaire, his Cesar. THIS year We have two-"The
Salesman Caro- and the .'Prcmenade of the Ha-
rem.r The former is a ciothesman, round whose per-
oriental attire hanging All the beauty Of this
painting Is In the perfect Imitation vi materials.
fne coat OF armor Is almost palpable. IL is photo
graphic painting II one might so express II. Ii is
prodipious execution and looked into through
a microscope. The sutanas Of the harem are seen
in gondoia OF mahogany, rowed on the Clear calm
waters, by slaves. The master is seated at the Prov
smoking. The background--the palm trees on the
shore and the water IN which they are refected-is
too infinitely executed A little more precision and
the beauty Of the painting would have Deen lost.
Jules Breton's PROCESSION in Brittany has been
much discussed ana admired though 10 one would
certainly purchase IL Tor a drawing room. hume
gathering Of Bretons and Bretonnes, all dressed
exactly IN the same style and coors, are crowded In
a canvas Of very midding proportions. The ex-
pression on every lace rs one OF aith ana fervOr.
Hornblen eSclalm some; "Magnlfcent," retort
others. ON seeking which OF the TWO Is correct the
critic VIII ind that the painting IS aot horrible, be-
cause uniform; and the magniilcence Is only meant
for The truth with which the Breton peasantry is de-
lineated. Here are the people wno never change
never seek grace never belicve IN proCress-neyer.
never VIII! A few banners and the portlco Of a
church are the only accessories. painted without any
regard 10 perspective.
A painting py lady and that has been purchased
for the city OF Orleans by the Minister OF State, is
Joan or Arc consecrating her weapons to the Virgin
lt Is by Nine. Laure de ChatIllon. The figure oi the
kneelng shepherdess shows the brave maiden IN the
prime OF youth: her face Is inspired and lips parted
IN prayer. SO decately IS she moulded that 1t does
not appear she could buckle on the admirably paint
ed armor iaid ON the altar without divine help; but
the spectator feels certain that when she has il on
when the moving fair hair Is under the iron head
piece, and when she has by her side that sword,
warrior VIII prance on his steed more willingly aud
easily. NJ. Goup, the great picture dealer. has en-
tered into arrangements with Nine. de ChatiIon for
the privilege OF engraving this Joan OF Arc IN
The prizes OF honor, as announced in my last,
have been awarded to the authors OF the best piece
Of sculpture and best painting NJ. Perraud has the
former M. BonDat the latter. The subject chosen by
M. Perrand Is despair" II is mighty concep-
tlOus lue NiCtiiu vi uespOnueuCy ls powerful ua,
undergoing powerful ut of moral doubt and suf-
ferng. lie is seated with head bowed towards the
ground, his two arms crossed on one bended knee.
Bitter, bitter disappointment racks that BRAIN the
marble tlrobs with ranking sceptlcism and ON his
hardened lips he seems to be meditating Despair
does In Lamartine's poem:-"0h, God. thou hadst
the power, the space, all and everything wherewth
To make the children OF earth happy ana thou hast
not wilcd 1t son Bonnat Is the artist whose color
ing is gray and even brownish, too, whose drawing
Is powerful and dramatic lie has sent in
1.-THE Assumption OF the virgin.- lie is the
arfi VI v,ttusy
never be forgotten, and though the religious paint
ing OF this year is very tine and approved by com
mon accord still Is not so worthy OF the prize OF
honor as his prior productions. IL Is his past which
the jury have ON tins occasion rewarded for such
past so full OF masterpieces the public Is satisfied
he s deserving.
piece OF intelligence that Will interest the artistic
world Is that Napoleon Ill. has purchased the
ancient gardens OF Farnesc, which had been Dullt on
IL laHna of llpIQllnG