The New York herald., 1870-06-12
FINE ARTS AND FLOWERS.
THE FRENCH ExHIBITION.
Sculpture and FlOwers-The Works Among
ROses-New Geraniums-What the
SculptOrs Have COntributed-Mar.
BILE Prize Works The Artists
snd Their Nationality
The Painters.
PARIS, May "a, 1870.

PARIS, May "a, 1870.
At no better time and under no circumstances
more peculiarly favorable could the art critic give
description OF the works exhibited on the ground
o0r OF the Paais de Industre than at this present
moment This spot, already rendered most attrac-
tive and interesting by the Exposition de Sculpture,
ia now metamorphosed into perfect Eden OF flowers
by the horticultural show, which will last full Ave
days.
AS all lovers OF art are imaginative. here do they
resort, loving to fancy that this portion OF edhce
Is Olympia and all the marble figures placed about
are gods and goddesses. Such misled fancies are
not to be pitied Anything that beauties reality IL
to be envied. 1t sweet to lean back on an invit-
ing garden bench (and many are placed about TO re-
cline ON, with ones eyes half closed, sti taking In
glmpses Of the whole thing at a time, while
the perfume OF the flowers watts about as II they
the invisible spirits OF those silent The
atmosphere is slightly tinted as rays OF light fall
through the stained glass windows, and there Is
soft subdaed whisper which proceeds from admir-
above in the galleries; 1t Is the hum without the
noise OF conversations; it is enough 10 remind OF
others and to satisfy one that many enjoy. without
making their enjoyments importunate. So many
suggestions and fond insnuations crowd on the
mind, while the body left inactive, that IL IL d
cult to tear ones self away from the softness OF
tucii Soitcs iOT tnc stuuy Va Couttuu tiat
st. Anthony was no grander when he resisted fasci.
nation among the syphs than is the visitor when he
turns to his catalogue, remembering he has to
analyze and dissect the causes Of so many enchan
ing effects.
But, on second consideration, why refer 10 the
catalogue today Why turn over that wethumbed
and already asscornered blue paper covert There is
enough TO say about the ground floor without it, and
can anything be so fatally methodical as alphabet
cal order?
ON THE GROUND FLOOR
Firstly, then, a circular look The walls are hung
with dark green drapery and all round runs at the
foot string OF low geranum pots. Each corner OF
the garden Is filled with dark masses Of young frs
and pine trees, back screen thus for all the small
on temporary erection no more than the elbow
height OF a mantel piece ledge. Gravel walks lead
from grass-bordered beds OF transparent arZalas
which perfect bushes OF blossom in all shades
to beds OF roses thence TO q splendid collection
OF orchids heaths, rhododendron, calceolarlas.
cycamens and most cur0usy shapen oddities,
| the discoveries made by hortculturists who have
what the French call ''rle petite bete'' In their
brains; what should style Chinese lady's foot
to tOrture for this forcing OF nature to yield to
notion Of what creation should be becomes dsfgure-
ment in nineteen cases out of twenty. Then come
the numerous families OF palms and ferns. Some
OF the latter huge trees in boxes; Others
qusite lace fronds Of the most delicate and varied
green.
Among ornamental novelties are pillars of Ivy, so
trained to form straight verdant columns. with all
the stems invisible up the internal hollow. On the
top OF these is zinc receptacle for earth, In which
grow flaming mass OF flowers. or some taper
ing, elegant plant, or wide-spreading Orna
der thyme and rosemary are not desplsed,
and In one shady part cluster medicinal
plants 10 sober c9or nra @aG amer a humble g1ise
here fans the loose maOw petal, here prcks up the
mint, here whitens the sage, and all these culinary
| NEW GERANIUMs.
| Two new geranlumS cannot fail to strike the
botanst: General Fieury, dahlia shaded beauty,
| and the "Prince OF NOvelties' no misnOmer; for
ne Is in shape quite IKE M the wei known coxcomb"
one curl ana crumpe.
| OTHER PRODUCTS.
But the pride of Flora, she here has shown her.
self in competition with the MUSES.. Ii her show OF
calladum and begonla. Among the former she
with carmlne bedded hollow in the centre and
crimson veins; her .Murlllo' Is gorgeous but
subdued red leaf, toned down to majesty. 1t
wears badge OF scarlet on the border OF green
It's medal OF honor dare say.
The Empress Eugene a leaf that Is most grace
we come TO when we pick tea rose to the heart
and there Is delicate green edging all around its
is intended to vie with the portrait OF NJ de Grardn
perhaps, up in the gallery. cannot affirm this, but
It is cutting sort Of foliage and does credit to the
brotherhood around. Then there are Fora's "Mon-
signori," all nutter, purple and lawn-like fibre.
THE SCULPTURE
But to the statues. The first one to stand before is
naturally the work which hSs deserved the MedaEHe
dHOnneur-- -"Arion" by Ernest Eugene Hiolle,
born at Valenciennes and pupil OF M. JouffrOy.
this poet and musician having been condemned to
die, impored his murderers TO allow him to play
strung his instrument and eaped In the sea- close by
dolphin, under the magic spell OF the music,
neared the fortunate poet and Aron recovered his
liberty by swimming to the isle OF Lesbos This
Is the subject OF NJ. Holles composition Arion is
seated on the dolphns back aud While he plays
guides the head OF the giant with his foot IL Is
admirable piece OF marble, and most admirably
carved.
sPerseer BY Joseph Tournois, born at Charzeu
and pupil of M. Joufrroy The story OF this Greclan
hero Is quite as incredible as that OF AriOn, but
French scuptors ever seek their subjects among the
least reliable of sources their studies being based
the same groundwork which inspired the ancients.
Few are sufficiently independent TO select themes
from the comedy. action and tragedy OF everyday
life o. modern history.
Peiseus, we are taught, was Greek hero who
having been abandoned with his mother, Danae, on
desert island, had defend her from the assidui
ties OF POydlctes who king there. He was
victorious. and even succeeded IN cutting Off the
head OF Medusa. M. Toulnois represents Perseus In
the act of holding up the hideous head. IL Is but
plaster statue only there Is so much jubiant life III
the whole figure that the behoder would almost
fancy 1t will spring from its pedestal In a youthful
and graceful bound.
Young Gaul,n by John Baptist Baujault, born at
Attigny, and pupil OF M. Joufrroy. This is rest
after young Greeks and neurological GODS The
figure Is in plaster and represents simple sample
branch OF mistlet0e or an old trunk on which mis-
hand, still holding the knife IS resting, while with
the otner he waves the branch hlgh and exclaims,
''au gt ran neurr' new year and mstletOe). This
Is very old French, and the lingo with which the
joyous cry shouted must have been as lusty,
oldfashoned, too, for our young moderns boast OF
such firm muscles none OF that manly, fine, broad
chested power. The medal given to NJ. John Baptist
Baujault is well deserved
"Baron Desgennettis,n by Pierre Robnet, born at
Paris and pupil Of Prader, David dangers and
Blondel. This sculptor has had several masters to
some purpose, aud has produced work which will
not only perpetuate his talent but hand
down to posterity one OF the noblest char
acters that have illustrated the medical
corps. Baron Desgenettes was born at Alencon
IN 1862; he died in 1887. The splendid colossal
statue represents the Baron head physician Of the
army OF Italy, In 119s he went with the expedition
10 Egypt, and had to fight against the plague at
Jara. In presence OF the terror stricken soldiers he
did not fear to noculate into his own veins the pes
tllential virus, which act OF courage saved many
who were nearly the victims OF death caused by
panic. The Baron is IN full uniform, and appears to
be leading the men on through gaping contagon.
1t is grand work; the face Is inspired by phllan.
thropy and fortitude the LETT hand which crumpes
the lace run on his bosom fe-like Every detail OF
the drapery Is carefully treated, and bellies the
ton that statues must be attlred in classic pepums
tOpaS and uOth1nQ but' folds Neither there any