The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-01-21
FINE ARTS.
pnnI nrforc AGrippr.

That peculiar school Of art know us high, has
not 1ouri-hod much during The present century,
snve IN France and Germany. High art pictures ly
Americans seldom painted, and stin more rarely
exhibited or srists generally recognise that there
IL sale Tor such productions in this county, De-
casonay battle piece, concentrating some impor-
tant feature OF the late stirring scene some
desperate charge or feat Of romantic heroism makes
ns appearance and cuds purchaser for this style Of
high art appeals not only TO the amateur and cruc hut
also TO the patriot. Thus the Battle Of Gettys.
burg" painted by Victor Nehlig created asensstiop
was warmly praised by the press, was engraved by
tie Illustrated journals, and was bought BY wealthy
merchant, at high price. Induced by this success
a. believe that high art was popular everywhere II
only presented by competent artists the same gentle
mru has painted Paul pleading before AgrippG,"
which IS AT present on exhibition at the rooms Of
Poutor h'Nmu-, furnis1era. on Broadway.
ne subject 30 familiar ~ 10 re-
ST"T no en'd r srl1 IL the ho Competitor
Rmidal s!stem, tue APOSTLE being at the base, aud
the loirarch of Idumea at the apex, ThislRTanro-
ment takes Away greatly nom the splrit OF The
grouping nor do We tlink tho majesty OF AgIippt
increased by the eNren,o lufiiuess vi his thrune.
Tire upper figures lave a Wbnt OF expression,
balconies, mDnotuny Of feature, which tbs ls,
lug seems 10 increase. All tho interest felt by lie
spcc'ator cert''s not IN the nsure 81 Paul, which
connonpaco ard unworthy. hut IN tho forms ~ TIE
Ronnu logionnr'es to the right and 10 the lett ~ the
npo.ie. Though The costumes 81 these are utterly
n-un Roman IN Imoginaion could conceive though
aprlmipus, be RIiUg the chief standard VI legion,
u depicted m the cOar-cst ak and with the nnblc
handed sword ri the crusadipg knights vet do these
| two lgureS reve uncommon talent. The muscular
development Of Agrppa Is enormous; the arms of
Borsuce are Joke the faces OF the attendants are
| ~ bank hs aWhiteWashrd wnll the figure OF the
apostle y not more dgni1ed than q town erer yet
towering above all with Rilannc pre- commence como
| the forms OF the two soldiers Instinct with life
and interest In the passing scene. painted with
splendid knowledge Of anatomy In poses uustudied
yet full Of natural eafc and grace, thesn forms seem
anomalous, seem OF another and higher world,
painted by more powerful hand, jolted Ia by
master on the canvas Of pupil
For the shortcomings OF the artist no feel
only surprise. " secms go strange thas thP
man who had such power ~ depict, such genius 70
conceive t6e shapes Of ancient war, should have
given any thing so hieiess, so grsceless inenAby
nambypamby as "Agrippa aud Berenoe." We
| could forgive them for not ah0wing any maTks OF
| trepldat0n and inward anxiety, since such 1t
Paa Night nave pleaded for q c, injury without
awakening one spark OF emotion, Bnt We cannot
overlook their upquestOulbe lay dgnre origin.
| While The warriors leaped iuil arlied from the
| brain Of tho nauter these wretched things were
modelled upon the STAND and owe ,heiI origin to
] dummy ofrag'