The New York herald., 1870-02-21
ART NOTES.
why Have We No Art Gallery z

Strange, indeed, does 1t seem that city claiming
to be OF the first three in the world In refinement
and cultivation should be without wnat even third
rate town In Europe possesses, public gallery OF
fine arts.
In vain we seek for q solution OF the mystery. II
cannot be that we are without the talent to supply
such demand. The evidences OF the proof TO the
contrary we see around us every day. 1t Ii not OF
course that we are wanting In artistic taste; least
OF all Is it that we lack the means. We cannot sup
pose that 1t u public spirit In which we are deficient
when we see money spent 30 freely in other causes
and 30 many arise to sustain points OF far less I'M
portance. OF course, II cannot be that intelligent
people, In the accumulation OF wealth and IN the
pursuit OF personal advantages, forget what they
owe 10 their higher natures ana 70 their brothers
among men. Nor can we suppose that among US
the practical usurps the ONCE and functions or the
aesthetic and the intellectual.
The question remains unsolved. We are, there
fore. obliged to wonder still longer why people,
second TO none In intellectual activity progress
civilization practically ignore q question or such
vast Importance in the solution OF Others seemingly
gross and selfish There is dormant In the coarsest
natures chord which 's at least the principle Of
love for the beautiful. II ID this chord whose note
sounds in the great choral Of humanity II may only
occasionally vibrate from q momentary influence.
1t may awaken into harmony. 1t may he developed
into taste. 1t 10 something at least tchave touched
even for moment the note whose sound Is music
In the din and discord OF human hearts. Meanwhile
In default OF any regular national public gallery
we should not fail to appreciate those repositories VI
art among US which creditably supply the present
great want. Prominent among these ~
GOUPILS,
whose Judclous collection furnishes varied selec-
tion OF domestic and foreign works OF art.
hR. 8. II. CLIFFORD.
Scene on the Ld0o Aagotore necr .Fuuanza.-
This Is one OF this artists happiest pictures In II
are combined many or the merits with few OF the
objections TO which he may be open. There is an
element OF truth underlying s which IL appreciable
to those familiar with the scene. The buildings In
the foreground particularly good. The peculiar
effect OF distance, dream.like harmonious, yet per-
fectly distinct, 30 common on the Italian laKes is
here wonderfully well rendered. All the prominent
characteristics or feeling and poetry which form so
great charm In the works this artist are here In
harmony with the great principle OF all art-truth.
MR. NJ +. II. DE HAAS
A Scene on the Englfsh ChdnrseL-There isl,tne IN
this picture beyond the transparent effect or waves
In which this artist excels The composition and
coloring what one is led to expect Ia marine
views. There Is little more.
MIR. JOHNSON
Constitution Island, Oh west POtilL-The scene is
one OF those familiar on the Hudson on a 4snmmer
morning. u Is quiet cool piece OF coloring, with
ttle lnterest Ine composition - trsne heavy, and
with equally small claim TO attention.
MR. EDWARD GAY.
Near Arl1atOn. Vernsont-The feeling and com
prehens0n OF this picture are good, the latter
fully studied. the detail is correct and well marked
The color is warm aud harmonious but the general
effect IS rather too ordinary IL seems AZ the artist
ought 10 nave done much better with tne elements
at his disposal
Mr.. HEADE.
A Spring ShOacer.--A dreary and Monotonons
ia Gysht iS "a rIv unto
and has the additional disadvantage o being treated
injudicionsy. The effect os the trees In blossom
harsh and crude.
MR.. j. r. KENsETT
NdTTdJdaSet EdV.-A rather heavy effect or land
and water with LOO little feeling and interest. The
sky Is good in tone and depth. The foreground is
wanting In effect and detail.
MR. LOUIS LANG
group OF blOnce and brunette women entitled
"Circasslan Captives.n The composition or this
picture 10 slngnlarly wanting In unity OF act0n and
originality. me drawing is defective. The color s
warm rtcb, vivid anc varied Ii Lacks softness and
harmony. The eeling is not bad aEd the disposiiion
OF some Of the gay roces OF the central group shows
some taste.
MR.. CHURCH C. SMITH.
one OF the most peculiar paintings OF this collec.
tiOn by an American artist, IS "Ths Phantom Shipu
The outline OF large ship under full sail IL ap
The harmony OF the distance is scarcely broken by
the iorm OF the vessel A group. OF sea birds is
arranged, Without suddenly arresting
the attention. SO as to hei2ten greatly the eject OF
distance There Is much force and originality the
lued IltTc IN aluO COu5IueIhDlc bklu AIN power In
the rendering OF the subject The weird and strange
element open aS IL doubtless may be to CRITICISM
vast relief TO the hackneyed range OF subjects
which everywhere meets the eye at present. The |
originality and skill In this picture canDof fail to
awaken borb interest and praise |
MR. BRANDT.
TN wiz b. DOne.--rhs beautiful and already
wellknown picture Is o graceful and simple rerder
Ing OF the ARTISTS idea OF resignation The absence
Of any positive color Is scarcely Ie IN the exquisite
harmony OF sentiment and rendition The character |
Of the picture is good, although not altogether Tree
from consciousness ana studied effect.
There are several paintings OF prominent foreign
Rrtiss ali noticeable Tor tnelr careful drawing and
GERONE.
The most famous picture by far Is "The Dealer In 4
Arms" All the chief cnaracterlsIics Of the great
french master are here. Extreme trutilfulneSs OF
ictail, care and finished effect al fully carried
out. Inis work might be an answer to the often
lr0eo oboct on that extreme attention TO detail Is
Incompatible with strength OF effect The picture 10
} STUDY 70 the pupil and delight 10 the master.
MUNsCH.
me ChTtsteninG-A group OF peasantg are await
HR, ~ tne Stalls or the choir OF q church. the con-
,us0n OF aservlce to present infant to be chris
eneo. Eacn nguro ~ an individual study VI char
acter ana ID Iull OF expression aud trnth female
1gure draped IN mourning, kneeling IN the fore
tround forms very graceful balance TO the rude
peasants by her side.
HUBTB.
The Parting "A group OF TWO nQures--one a peas
Ant giri, cons0ing ner companion ior the loss OF
ler loverswh0 IA seen In the distance departing for