The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-09

struction. We hope that sufhcient interest will be
felt TO induce many OF our citizens TO make them
selves acquainted with the school and its system,
and that this exhibition win be productive OF good
both to the institution and the community at large
It may not be amiss 10 say a few words here
about the complaint sometimes made by inconside-
rate and thoughtess persons that the discipline of
the school is unnecessarily strict that pupils are
not permitted to and go or to receive visitors
whenever they may desire and that a compliance
with the rules is rigdy insisted upon at all times.
There is a very general idea, encouraged by the
manner lin which the classes at the Academy of
Fine Arts are reRHlated-or rather not regulated
that art schools free-and-easy sort OF places in
which the students masters. In the School OF
Design, however the necessity for application is in
sisted upon, not only as the only means by which
any educational process be properly carried on
but necessary to the mental training that is one
OF the great objects OF any system of education.
The School Of Design is Immediately for the pur-
pose Of instructng young women in profession
by which they can their living and thorough
system OF discipline that will insure the strict atten-
ton Of the pupils during study hours is rightly con-
sdered Indispensable TO the success Of the inst-
tuition. A matter Of this kind is not open to argu-
ment ana IL would not be necessary to alude 20 It
but from the fact that unreasonable complaints
have been made by refractory pupils and their
thoughtess friends that have excited prejudces in
some quarters that ought not to exist anywhere.
Turning from the art schools to the artists we find
that some Of them at least doing work that is not
only good in ITSELF but that contains promise OF
much excellence in the future.
Mr.. d. r. knight, whose "Duenna Asleep"
finished about year ago, was undeniably the best
figure picture executed in this city for many day.
and whose full length portrait of General Meade
was success both as a likeness and work of art,
has Just completed a very charming work that in
many particulars is superior to any OF his previous
performances. Shakespeare has been pretty ex-
tensivey illustrated by the artists and most OF the
great scenes In his dramas have been treated over
and over again There are, however, all through
his plays numerous incidents that have
escaped the attention Of searchers for subjects but
that afford opportunities OF the most tempting ma
ture for genre pictures that will be suitable orna-
ments for parlcr walls. 1t is subject OF this class
that Mr.. Knight has chosen, and "Jessica" appro-
priating the cash and jewels of "Shylock" has been
treated by him with refinement Of color that he has
never before equalled "The Duenna Asleep" was
a notable advance anything the artist had pre-
viousy produced In point Of color but in the picture
now under consideration the results OF intelligent
study in this direction even more decidedly ap-
parent Independently OF its color, the "Jessica" is
picture of very remarkable merit The action of
the figure in bending over the table covered
with money and jewels, the quick turning
of the head and the lifting of the
hand as if startled by some noise and the express
sion Of haste in the whole attitude, all admirable.
The face of the girl is handsome and full of charac-
ter, and is perfect justification of the good taste
of young "Lorenzo" in wishing to appropriate such
prize, if he had to take her without the addi-
tion Of old "Shylock's' gold. The accessories are
all painted with much care, and the picture is one
that in all technical points will compare favorably
with many of the best foreign works OF the
same class, while in subject and intrinsic
interest it is very much superior to
most Of them. 1t is the legitimate triumph of stu
dious and talented artist, who does the best he is
able every time, and who is in consequence making
his mark, and selling his pictures as fast as he
paints them, for understand that there are
already number of bidders for "Jessica," although
the picture has been seen by but few and is hardly
yet dry from the easel
The sea pieces Of Mr. w. It. Richards are in their
way among the most remarkable art performances
OF the day. More than any other painter of marines
that know of, he has the faculty of indicating the
motion of water; and although what he has hitherto
done, with or two exceptions, ceuld scarcely be
considered as than studles account of their
deficiency in subject, they nevertheless attracted
great attention. Mr.. Richards has exhibit
ton at Earles the best work of this class he has yet
produced. 1t is view Of the beach at Atlantic City,
and is deserving of notice both as picture and as
an elaborate study of water in motion.
In the gallery is a new work by Mr. Joseph
John entitled. Faith" which is somewhat different
and to our fancy more pleasing in style than some
of his other pictures although is in the vein
of sentiment that characteristic Of all his recent
performances
Miss Ida Waugh has also clever picture Of "Iit-
tie Cosette," and study of little girl, both Of
which possess much merit.
Mr. Isaac L. Williams has just completed two land
scapes-one a view OF Lake Luzerne and the other
a view on the Schuylkl above Columbia Avenue
Bridge. The last-named is low in tone and requires
to be studied little before all its excellencies are
apparent. It is a picture, however, that improves
greatly on acquaintance, and is refreshing piece
Of soft dewy landscape this artist has painted for
| long time. There is bit in the middle distance
where the hills veiled in soft silvery haze that
is most delicately poetical transcript Of nature.
! The picture of "Lake Luzerne" is of a different
character There the distant hills are enveOped in
rain Clouds and opportunity is Afforded the artist
for the representation OF OF those peculiar atmo
| spheric effects Of which he is so fond. These
| are both works OF great merit and in
| Mr.. Williams best manner, and we
wish that some opportunity were afforded for the
exhibition OF them and OF others we have mentioned
! in order that the public could see for themselves
what the artists doing. There is talk OF the
| Academy of Fine Arts holding an exhibition in the
fall, but that institution is really in such bad Odol
with the artists that it is doubtful whether it will bt
able to command their best works; and unless Il
can make better display Of the productions o.
Philadelphia painters than it has done for some
past, it would be discreet to let the whole
thing alone Experience, however is bitter teacher
and as the Academy has shown signs OF activity
and Improvement in other directions, we may per
haps hope that its exhibitions may in the future
be worthy OF respectful notice.