The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-09
THE EINE AkVN.
The Art Reception at the UnIo,

Inc aft heCepttOn AT the Union League
The Union League Club, having retired from poll
tics, could not find a better way OF expending its
superabundant energies than by endeavoring to pro-
mote the art interests of Philadelphia by bringing
the artists and the art patrons together in
most agreeable to both parties. The Union League
is largely composed OF gentlemen OF wealth. cul-
ture and leisure; and TO such large and inhuen-
tal body OF best citizens the artists have righi
to look for liberal aid and encouragement. II the
encouragement OF art meant merely alfOrding FACT
ltes for the sale OF pictures, such body as the
Union League Club might well be excused from in-
teresting ITSELF but the fine arts have an intimate
relation to the civilization or a country,
and fine pictures and statues, like good books,
have values that money cannot represent They
not only confer pleasure but they aid in cutyating
and educating public taste, and indirectly i'm
portant auxiliares to religion and morality. One OF
the great difficulties under which artists in the
United States labor is the lack OF a highly culti-
waited class OF patrons, who will be ntelligenty cri-
tical in their demands for thoroughly good work,
and willingly aid the professors OF art in their STU
dies and labors literally both with money and nlu-
ence Since the Academy of Fine Arts has been
taking resting spell after its enormous labors OF
more than half century, the artists have been
deprived Of the opportunities for displaying
their works afforded by the
nual eXhiblton-a matter the less to be
regretted the exhibitions OF the Academy were
almost invariably badly managed and did as much
good by making the public acquainted with the pro-
ducton, OF the studies. The proposition therefore,
OF the Union League to hold a series OF art recep-
tioDs received with pleasure both by the
artists and the lovers of art in Philadelphia, and the
display made at the first reception last evening
ereditable, considering the short time the artists
were given for preparation. The rooms crowded
with the beauty and fashion OF Philadelphia, aud
although it was impossible for any one to make
satisfactory inspection OF most OF the pictures the
reception was decided success and appeared to be
highly enjoyed by all present.
As compared with a regular exhibition, OF course
an informal affair OF this kind lsbored under many
disadvantages, and the display, considered merely
an exhibition, scarcely represented the full
strength OF the artistic talent OF Philadelphia. Among
the ninety-four works which adorned the walls
there were however, number OF very superior
performances that will well repay much closer eX-
animation than it was possible for any one to give
them last night
The honors of the occasion were carried OF by Mr.
D. r. Knights hne picture OF "OthellO at the house
of Brabantio" which noticed in detail few days
ago and by Mr.. Edward Moran's striking illustra-
ton of the passage in the BoOk OF job descriptive
Of the staying OF the waters rhus far shalt thou go
and no further etc. 10 the majority OF those in at
tendance last evening both OF these pictures were
entirely new, for Mr.. Knights has just left his
studio, ana Ar. Moran's was only exhibited in this
city for couple OF days last spring after 1t was
finished. These pictures possess very great merit
and were the centres OF attraction last evening Mr.
Moran also was represented by number OF water
colors. Among the most prominent among the other
contributions are landscape entitled solitude"
by Mr.. James Hamilton, which is marked by the
poetical feeling that he nfuses into his best works.
Mr.. George @. Lambdin EXHIBITS several character
! istic works the most prominent OF which Is very
| charming picture entitled "rhe Rustic Toilet"
painted in his best style. Mr.. Isaac Williams con-
! tributes several small canvases OF Pennsylvania
| and FairmOunt Park scenery, the most important OF
| which we have noticed in these columns before.
Mr.. Russell Smith has fine view OF "The Brandy
wine Battlefield, which has a beautiful bit OF mid
die distance in the centre OF the
picture and "An Old Mill on the
Wlssahiekon." Mr.. w. ii. Wilcox is represented by
"View on the Wissahiokon," Mr.. It. j. Fennimore
by several sits OF Pennsylvania and New Hampshire
scenery, Mr.. A. q. Heaton by portrait and several
pen-and-ink drawings, Mr.. p. f. Rothermel 10y a
couple OF small bits OF color entitled respectively
| "Ferdita' and "Sharp ShoOters;" Miss Mary A.