The New York herald., 1869-07-04
FINE ART IN FRANCE.
The Exhibition Of Fine Arts at the Palais dc
Observation-Disclosures scg

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS CT
PARIS, June 49, 1859. "
II has been Justly observed that the works Of art
exhibited this year show more taste and talent than
genius. This criticism can truthfully be applied TO
oil paintings but more satisfactory verdict can be
pronounced on statuary. There is genius on the
nrst plan and much talent on the second the sub
jects are better chosen. and considering what are
| the traditions OF sculpture, there l5 displayed
| on the ground floor of the Paais, which is
| laid out as garden for the reception Of statues,
mucn less OF the nude than in the upper painting
galleries. IL is beginning TO dawn on the perception
of scuptors that modern subjects, or subjects con-
nected with modern times, are more to the taste Of
the discerning public than eternal oacclantes lying
on clusters OF grapes; than fishers turning over
crab snail; than even the gods and goddesses of
| Olympia; than that eternaly handsome Narcssus,
| ever coming forth with the same Grecian
| nose correct attitude and impasslve beauty
| adopted for 80 many ages. Artists begin to
| question the necessity OF carving the nude
| exclusively, and the following considerations
suggest themselves to me on this topic s-rt is OBJ
ected to critics who write against total absence Of
drapery carved figures that statuary Is nothing
but the art OF conveying ideal outline and perfection
of form TO marble earth or plaster, and that even
were these forms but slightly clad modern style
| of dress subject to change that what pleases
| the men of one period would become absurd few
| years later. There Is much truth In this, and 1t
| comes nome to us If we do but one Instant remem
| ber how truly ridiculous appear to as some OF the
costumes held up patterns Of grace at about the
| commencement OF this century; but there is
| middle course If 1t is admitted that the
historical style Of attire favored, for instance,
| under Francis ]. would present angular folds and
terribly picturesque slashes, dark and sharp shadow
and other non-scholastic effects, it must also be
| rron ntpdt at ma urpsa and
| Gtung material for drapery belong to every age,
| without precise tailoring. These reflections are not
inspired 10y prudery in art, outraged feeling
Of common de:ency, but in the interest OF the art OF
statuary itse 1t is right to maintain that this nces
| SAINT Carving OF the nude renders the choice OF
| antique NEUROLOGICAL and sylvan subjects cOmpul-
sory ana our great moderns are not perpetuated.
This il Is which carries us back 70 Adam
| year; this 1t is which mlseads great
scuptors whose efforts should at length turn to
decoration OF our homes and commemoration OF our
great discoverers. They forget that since the days
| OF Phldias IN whose climate statues were displayed
under blue armament among orange groves, we
| have Invented steam engines and teiegrapDy, and
that naked figures on our public edifices exposed to
macadam, SCOT and tobacco smoke, are anachro-
Aitef these considerations enter into the heart of
my subject, and stop before M. Clisenger's 'Ceo-
| patra,n the most discussed contribution in the
| garden. Ihe Queen OF Egypt Is supposed to be
| standing before Caesar, extending golden
| OF exquisite workmanship. The descendant OF
| the Ptolemies Is decorated with enamel and
| god ornaments, copied from originals in The
museums. IL Is the idea OF coOrng marble
and ornanenting 1t with metals and precious stones
which mas caused the battle OF critics over this work.
Clesnger is not the first who has attempted 1t. Glib
sons tinted Venus caused vast sensation, but both
Gibson and Cesnger found their precedents In mu-
seuns, seyeraI stlll containing antiques, showing
aded traces OF color on marble carved by the creeks
and Romans. However 1t De the effect certainly Is
sR t1 o s 9y o Sas are the
eyeIids with gaze uns0ltened by lashes.
Tae modelling Of the sulnptuous. figure is
that NJ Cesinger intended that the light green tunic
on the pure wmte marole form and the gold orna-
ments should impersonate the rich Nile whose
white and blue nvers ro over sands Of gold. This
figure Is OF such value that policeman is IN con-
stant watch over it, the turquoses down the tunic
and byzantine enamel adding much to its costiness.
As l nave in my preceding correspondence de-
| medal OF honor has been awarded, turn rs
eS,s.s In the cent centre OF the garden la Femme
| ing figure. representing the beautiful sinner
with both arms bound, but uprased. The
| whiteness and beneath them are viewed the rich
undulatng motions OF the figure. The perfect face,
shaded by ner full arms, expresses noy awe before
radiant presence of Christ and still dread OF the
missile which Will perhaps strike her when He says
'Let him who has never sinned throw the first sOne"
The third fine piece "Hebe Asleep" by Carrier
Belleuse, great sculptor in every way and unsur-
passed in carving OF terra Gotta This is pure mar
bic group, representing colossal eagle the eagle Of
JUPITER protecting the young goddess, who has been
surprised by slumber while seated on her fathers
m nnss smPHS S ST sasS
rhe wings OF the bird form a snelterng
the graceful head and shoulders Of Juno's
daughter. Its feathers are as down-.ike as the |
rounded cheek nestled among them, while It's |
naughty noble neck and eye are proudly turned in
majestic defiance towards the supposed heights Of
plaster "ophelia," by A. Faguiere shows the
weary hedge-way wanderer spr1nKling howers over
her path. The drapery perfection, and the like
ness to Mlle Nilsson sLriking but 1t ID emaciated,
unpleasng likeness; it Is what the Swedlsn diva
would be if, instead Of acting poetic Ophelia she
really had the wear and tear or halfwitted poetry to
go through. Here Shakspeare's maid has lost her
''sweetness" !" and rends the heart with pity.
We have also Patti, by Durand-a very picturesque
| bust, with elegant draperv and 1owers-and the
arms OF the noDie family Of the DE Cauxs. was
distressed by this. heraldry for the sake OF one
whose gifts are superior to associations, such as
speckled-laced Mirabeau No less ugly is the bust
| oil Dupln, by M. Boisseau VINO must have had to
surmount certain dose OF plastic repugnance every
time ne looked at his model. There Is finely exc
cuted statuette OF Princess Mathide, by Auguste
Barre aud, among the best brOnZes, q fine work by
an American, which has attracted universal notice
| 1t IL "Excelsor," by J. II. Haseltlne OF Phiade
pha. There Is sublimity In this work and remark
| able aspiration, leaving matter Jar behind.
A nne bdSSo retteCO, by M. Etex, Is intended to
gave an idea OF the statue to be raised to the me-
mory Of lngres, The great painter who has formed
| so many disciples and been SO respondent meteor
IN the French school, The master is seated, for his
figure was lar from dgnied in reality, and In 'front.'
| OF hun runs wall, on which, In reef, stands out
his famous work, the "Apotheosis of Homer" Much
preferable Is Carrier-Beeuses project for the same
| statue represented by a bust Of Ingres crowned
| by Victory lying down from heaven The nhab-
tans OF tne native place OF lngres, having preferred
full statue OF their great man TO the bust The jury
| has chosen The work OF "a. Etex.
The two best busts In marble those of General
Din, Dy M. Boryczewsk and of Duret. the sculptor
executed alter death Dy NJ. Cappelaro. The arcni-
tect OF the New opera, Al. GARNER Is twice repre-
sented at this years. salon. oil painting and
| once in bronze The latter Is by Carpeaux. 1he
now famous architect Is very unprepossesslng so
much tnat ladies were heard TO eXclaIn turn
ing from MS portrait In OIL "He l. hdeous % As
have Capoul In reserve for the opera another
would be superhuous, unless he CLAIM the privilege
| OF being the Capou OF granite.
Several rooms are hung with water-color draw
lngs crayons and pottery tablets, coming into
fashion again, and which, with the photographs
shall noticed, there IL mucn OF great interest
| communicate. Among the objects OF ART applied TO
Industry not be omitted the graceful eyecu-
tion aud design OF the model lamps be used 10y
the city OF FOR the decoration OF exterior OF
| the new opera house.
ma fvD nj yni 70 tba