New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-10-16
PINE ARTS.
FAGNANI's NINE MUSES..

If Mr.. Fagnani's nine large paintings were
not exhibited In so conspicuous manner II would be
scarcely worth while 10 make them the subject OF ex
tended comment They are not pictures TO interest or
claim attention from the general public, and certainly
they are pictures with which the art critics need
have much But here they are. in large room
by themselves set forth in their names dscreey
marked on them and beneath them, to make sure OF
their identity and the visitor is supplied on application
with descriptive catalogue OF such sumptuousness and
cost as BELTS quality OF the ladies and their visitors
We have always felt liking for Mr. Fagnan; for al
though OF his painting has the air OF being done in
the wealth and fashion he and then puts
into his faces touch OF innocence natural sweet sim
phcty. that partially redeems the uniform thnness OF
coloring and pretentousness OF style But IL was not
easy standing before the nine muses. 10 recall any OF
these gracious traits In that tho atmosphere OF
wealth and fashion much for nauralDess, sweet
ness or simplicity Neither OF the MUSES. would seem TO
have been present In spirit when this work was In hand
What spirit was present II were needless 10 say.
The pictures challenge admiration from three classes
NJ and on three distinct grounds The lovers Of
classic art are invited feast their eyes once more on
those divine that embodied the Greek conceptions
OF esthetc beauty Can ever gaze enough on those
heavenly figures The lovers Of feminine beauty are In
yited to the privilege OF beholdng on canvas in
deed but exquisely modest canvas the most dstn-
e,usned beauties Of NewYork fashionable society And
In addition 10 this nine large circles OF friends bid
den To admire the portraits Of their darlings Art II
there were such thing here would be thrown into the
shadow by much OF incidental and meretricous atrac
ton But ia, these attractions away the art
would be quite unapprecable. IL looks even as II the
artist relying on his worldly fascinatons. had excused
himself from drawing his resources The poor muses.
have surely fallen on evil days they satisfied with
these counterfeit presentments Their genius has gone
from them The soul has fed The grace' has departed
The divine calling Is forgotten The dignity and grace
have fed They hold their instruments rs IL they did not
know what they made for and were tired OF carry
ing them Their thoughts, they have any, are intent
on other and happy things The comic Thaa sabout
bursting into The amorous Erato vacant cod
and sadly ncommoded by her heavy Tyre. Urana
finds globe harder than cushion TO lean on. Caope
has Loaf in our degenerate times the glow OF epic insp
ration and is conscious that she Is playing part.
Euterpe brandishes flute as II IL were fan ana Co 10
I'm no haste 70 pursue her historical sudies The muse
OF the lofty hymn. Poyhymna is more In tho mood OF
love song and Terpschores dance suggests different
movement from that OF the choral procession The muse
ia clearly borrowed These are no goddesses OF
heavenly art and song They simply pretty women
trcked out I'm garments human creature could wear
and affecting characters they do fnot comprehend ana
cannot initiate Pretty women they are, very pretty; az
least they would be II they were becomingy dressed ana
placed quietly home instead OF being transported into
the regions Of classical mythology The cir
cumstances particularly trying 10 loneliness aIa
they are not to blame II they appear awkwardy In pos
lures they probably assumed except In the artists
studio and In costumes it would be quite impossible for
them to carry.
or the merits the pictures considered as portraits
IL ia for those Judge who know the ladies personally
IL would be peasanter on the whole we should thK
20 believe that the kenesses not good for then
they might pass for fancy pictures, and by and by be
rolled up and laid away without oense to any private
feeling We should be sorry to see dear charming friends
Of ours playing part unworthy an attempt to give
tho prestige OF notoriety TO very poor art.