New-York tribune., 1870-05-09

swoon,,o down the street. and carrying away III
sous sayo those of the determined men VINO srue as
intent on their Grand There Ia no attempt III
drawing none whatever at effective coloring The al
"a full of dust the soldiers are not thinking or
their boots or cothes thought possesses them ana
tho bystanders Tho shrieks OF tho newsDoys ana 'o
sbouts of the popuace fall unheeding ears occasoh
aly face il raised to recognize friend at WINDOW OF
10 scan tho house-fronts but nothing divers atteh
tion from the main purpose. Tho artist means TO por
tray the uproar, tho confusion, the nerce "rhth anu
10y, tho impulse, tho momentum, tho determination
of the hour Tho picture has soul OF power III
It. So swift and terrible IL the march OF the troops
that we involuntary stand aside TO get OUT Oh .he
track We live again that day OF excitement ~hch
seemed at the time big with fate. To Interpret WORTH
iy a scene like that demands imagination or high Or
der II might have been made externally more gorgeous
and mposng but II 1t has been it would in all probable
ity have been less true.
The next painting Is julien scotts "Rear Guard a1
White Oak Swamp" picture OF actual batte, as hopo'
IN It's way as the picture Of the march TO batte Ino
army IL on the retreat, and the gallant rearguardls Is
holding the enemy bay. 1t is the real scene, naked
and unadorned. Tho artist has not added touch 10
make IL more picturesque terrible than 1t was
The curtain OF dust that hides the background the pu5
OF smoke from bursting shells, the earth torn up Dy
the plunge OF the round shot, the stranng OF the men
at the gun carriages the falling Of the msrtay wounded
the intense concentration Of those who face the pursuing
Is portrait from the life, the resolution OF tho
mounted officers who support the men, tho total
Inconsistencies OF each to everything but the work
instantly in hand-convey picture OF actual war as
much more vivid and thrilling than the grand canvases
OF Horace vernet the simple truth Is than marai
defamation In the presence OF such vgor and yeracy
we have small disposition to criticse bcmshes in the
drawing OF a line, the mixing Of a color Drawing
and color are quite good enough for their purposes An
mastery OF the resources OF palette ana pehc
would have enabled the artist to increase the trnhi
ness Of his picture in respect to subordinate detaS p
An attempt at more scrnpuous nicely in these would
have compromised the truth fatally by mpartng to the
piece a tone OF self conscious and premcditated art
The third painting we have alluded to represents inc
return Of the Flag 1t is by T. W. Wood associate OF
tho Academy but not Academcian 1t Is the small
est canvas the three but 1t has the same character
that the others have The Flag has been saved but 1t
rent and soed The soldier that bears 1t Is bronzed with
the sum- his military dress is faded and tre,dbare; his
boots are yellow with the clay Of the Southern soil his
hat has seen all weathers but his eye is frm his step
bold and he plants his foot the ferry boat that Is TO
bring him home with the spirit OF who has fought
good fight II picture that makes Us think ana ieei
as loyal Americans should And TO do this is one OF the
ministries OF art, whatever ministries art may nave
besides.
These last two paintings by men comparatively un-
known. Mr.. Scott Ia young man. MI Wood we never
saw 1t evident that among the younger artists men
and women there good deal Of purpose, not little OF
fine enthusiasm in their calling There eagerness ror
knowledge willingness to study, demand for eultVa-
tion that give good augury of the future The temper
OF worldlness and conventonaity has not possessed
them they content to be poor and unrecognzed un
til their merits qualify them to receive their deserts
Give them time Let them have such opportunity as the
country affords Let the Academy treat them generously,
put its treasures their disposal place its experience ana
skin at their command recognize their talents, encour-
age their endeayors welcome them 10 their own brother
hood and the good of Art will he promoted III
manner that many have long hoped for but few nave
anticipated. ,,--. l., ,,ou.
York. Let that institution justy, or declare dcter
thc touch of new inspiration If it remains Indifferent
To its cang-ifi chcrses purpose of duty or aban
dons purpose already formed-the artlovlng bnc VIII
hold accountable great for the backward
hess % Art,