New-York tribune., 1870-01-29

novelty Thus the characcr sccncs and Incidents OF
D,ckcnss novels are generally taken FROM contemporary
every day life and give evidence Of the closest oDseNa
ton vet the charm Of his books is certainly not Inferior
TO that with which Walter Scott invested tue e'ooS
and heroines OF medieval times. Moreover 'hoIc ~
much which only common hut famlhar also "ni'"
nevertheless is well worthy OF being nnmortaized OH
for tho nnrpoac OF preserving for future genera
tlons those features OF the present time which
It's spirit its aims, aud its progress
have been led into reflections by recent VISIT
n the studio Of Frank Buchser In this city, who seems
10 me 10 have struck vein in the common life OF TO-DAY
which, although first sight somewhat unnviting Is
nevertheless rich artistic material Either by accideht
or by some sort Of subtle atractonmore probably the
latterthis artist has drawn into painting negro
snbects and one work OF this Kind has followed another
until he may almost claim this line Of painting as his
specially when In this city in 1861 soon after his ar
rival from Europe he painted several pictures OF THIS
class which attracted considerable attention. ncludihg
"The Blackegs" and The Returned Volunteer" During
the Summer of 1861 spent In Virginia, he enjoyed good
opportunities OF studying negro character and after
spending portion Of the intervening time In travelling
in the West he returned last Summer to the same state
whore he painted his portrait OF Lee and devoted ns
time chiefly to negro subjects producing seSera
originality and merit One of these, charming ttle
piece entitled Gossip, is now IN the hands OF frahR VI
Boston to be chromoed His principal work Of tins class
however Is which is not yet finished, Dut is lhr
enough advanced to make Its scope and character sur
een 4nk = the S yerdet Sl ali aEses s
title, believe is Mary Blaine" which touching ballad
singing TO a mixed group OF his own color and accom-
panying himself the banjo The tmes evidently mid
Summer and the characters are taking their rest at noon
under the grateful shade of an apple tree the
seated the ground, and his listeners grouped around
a IN seggs and feeling than the
artist thrown into the faces OF the singer ana seVea
Of his SHSO A%9@s s Sose S
striking and impressive type Of beauty while her att
perfection OF which is in wonderful contrast with the
strong emotions Of the spirit The fine eye which can
evidently flash fire upon OCCASION is suused with mist
OF tears and the face reflects sympathy in ine
The other figures will be at once recognized as familiar.
from eecS other but Sharing IN common an ar Of
wrapped attention TO the inspired tones OF the minstrel
The picture as whole highly poetic aud has withal
deeper meaning. for the ballad is simple but pathetic
cannot help feeling that the singer is an eloquent
preacher of freedom stirring in the heart such sentiments
sometimes endure through lifetime, giving purpose
and direction to powers which wonld else have remained
latent.
Impressed first with the groesquc or the
merely picturesque IN negro character but ne was not
slow penetrate the poetca and TO do justice to The
sympathetic nature and grave earnesness underlying
1as f B1 M TsH latest yance the %os Important lie
has discerned the AMBITION the hope, and the aspiration
that mark the great transition which the negro race IN
this country is underRong-a transition, perhaps,
the most rapid gigantic. and beneneent which the ms
tory OF the human race has yet witnessed For hm who
the genius the historian upon canvas
Of this grand progress-this sudden leap from slavery
and cOncOmitan barbarsm freedom and civilization
here OF the most fruitful fields which art has
attempted 10 cultivate. To Buchser belongs the
honor OF having first entered IT, and judging by what he
has already accomplished. do doubt that he is des
tined reap therein lasting fame. Some OF his recent
pictures bring into striking prominence that ambition
which be the ruling characterstc o. the negro
present stage of deveopmen-his absorbing eagerness
to learn. One of these is entitled spelling It Out and
represents boy who has somewhere picked up copy OF
THE TRIBUNE which he has spread out upon the ground,
aud he lies face downward resting upon his elbows III
tenty engaged 10 the effort TO make himself acqslea
with some portion OF its contents Another, when Is
named pur mnove land yet 1t moves), brings into
similar prominence the same idea In both OF the faces
full realization OF the truth that knowledge Is
power and necessary adjunct of freedom ~
1t should DC said 100 that is not at all as poclan
but purely as an artist that Buchser has acquired his in
the slightest effort to invest his subjects with dignity
borrowed from extrinsic embellishments what lie paints
surroundings those amid which lie may ordinarily
be found But while true TO real life IN TINS part
ter suffers no dctrnent In ts representation from s
union with rough and unattractlye external clrcum'
stances Indeed 1t Is his success IN eeclng TINS essen
TALLY difficult coniunction-ths faithful adherence to two
aDtheIic realities whose coexstencc s lhe sPec marx
OF the exceptional circumstances under which tbe negro
Is touHdt Is this which gives ms tel cheI
historical value This specially OF Buchsers the more
worthy Of good word for the that ls feature
OF art which must make IT'S way TO popular appreciation
difficulty To be encountered, for oven among the Dess
friends Of the Negro race there are comparatively lew
who would think OF looking for artistic beauty IN back
skln. In the face OF such oDsticles 10 pOpuiary TO
qured small amount OF courage and faith to under
credit too that he has not had the courage aone but
also the honesty pursue with conscientious hdey the
task he has accepted for While he mas painted no aeI
negro born of political sympathy he has on the other
hand onceded nothing 10 prejudice but has iaithluly
recorded all the genoness OF nature, the exataton OF
purpose the real nanness and dignity OF CHARACTER
whereby herself has stamped upon the face OF the
negro lis true patent of nobility aud his lust title to be
regarded IN truth "a man and a brother