The New York herald., 1871-12-09
ART MATTERS


'si1ethey and Child, by Bewserenu, ne
Goapirs Gallery.
BOugeisau is favorably known TO the art world
for fhc naturainess OF his treatment OF subj ece Of
everyday lie, as well as n certain power OF throw.
Ing around them sentiment OF tenderness, an
ideaity which marks the works OF all true artists.
1t not In the mere power OF reproducing form or
color az we see II In nature, though thai alone IN
great and rare power thar can rivet attention and
claim eur admiration and homage. ItisIn
TIE HI0HER ATTRIBUTE
OF lending TO ordinary subjects charm that the
vulgar mind per fceves no, until genius, with It's
magic touch, calls II forth ana makes u evident TO
ail TO paint che coors and hues that seen only
by the eye OF the Imagination, investing with the
halo OF genius the commonplace events Of life, this
ID art; and those powerful effects which overmasteT
US and make us bow before
fHE DOMINION OF GENIus
are produced BY subtle touches which the nero
photographer Of nature can never hope 10 initiate,
because those beauties rather with the eve
OF the soul, and are the measure OF the tenderness
and sympathy within rather than the result Of ac-
quired technical power. OF course this last ne
cessary for the expression Of the feeling, but does
not produce II, because after all painting as an
ecuton Ia but
MECHANICAL ART,
which can erect nothing uIess allied to tenderness
Of feeing and appreciation OF whatever is beautirnl
and true IN tho moral as well as the material world.
The truth Of thus will be At once visible IN lookin6
at the "MOther and Chilu." 1t is . commonplace
subject enough, 1t is before us every hour OF the
DAY, ana requires, IN order TO interest us, 10 he
handled with the incest judgment. There Is the
danger OF wandering into the region OF
MAUDLIN SENTIMENT,
or In the artists efforts to avoid this, falling ntO1
prosalc treatment ana so completely destroying the
sentiment upon which so much OF the value OF the
In the picture before us both Of these extremes
have DeeD happily avoided, and We nave picture
easily and naturally composed, with an inexpres.
sne Gnarm OF sweees ana quiet sentiment
asleep. the mother leans over 1t, with her head rest
ing on her left nand. sne regards the infant Win
smile IN which IL strangely mingled
GENTLE, PLYING LOVE,
with sense Of protection oi the child whose head
AFTER eject The face IS auet ana = Woany o SH
strong and weil marked. Every line is decisive,
as well as genteness and naturalness in the ex
preston The face OF the child IS illumined by
ray OF light coming through an opening in the rich
yellow SILK curtains, and Is lit up III happy dream
Nothing could be more striking, and withal easy
and natural than the composition OF the group,
happy unconsciousness Of the child Contrasts SO SO
powerfully with the tender thougntfulness OF the
Great care has been displayed IN the Drawing OF the
ngures. and the POSE OF the mother has been made
THE MANAGEMENT OF LIGHT
the artist displays sensatiOnalism Of a subHned
Kind but the effect IL 80 full OF charm that we are
forced TO forgive MIN. lie has placed his point OF
hign light on the pillow behind the chds
head, whence 10 declines gradually into
warm shadow. Tho light, coming through the
opening In the curtains, falls gently face OF
mother with exquisite effect. In the treatment Of
these ilgnt effects the artist has shown excellent
Judgment. The Introduction OF the yellow curtains
has erected the local cOlOrs ana throws
WARM GLOW
over the whole composition, aud gives great rich.
ness 10 the tone OF the picture. URder the in ance
Of the rejected yellow hgnt unusual waTmtA mas
quality as 1iesh. The strong point OF the picture
Is Its nesh painting, which displays mingled
force and tenderness in the execution which Is
rarely met with. Though the general quality OF the
modelling Is g00d we should nave liked more
decided
INDICATIONS OF FORM
In the child. In his desire TO avoid fabbiness The
artist has gone too lar In the opposite direction;
i0r, though the limbs are firm and round, they do
not display the fulncss OF form which we look for
IN well cared for babyhoOd. The treatment OF me
chtu,s head, with the supporting hand OF the
mother and the Infants own hand and arm Is one
OF the most dehghtul bits Of painting that We have
eyer seen.
..rhe Mother ana enid" recommends itself by
the simplicity ana purity OF its moral as well as by
the excellence OF the execution and like all true art
tends 10 elevate hearts and beget generous SYM
patlfes. We want to see more OF this class OF art
imported, because the presence OF such q picture
must have the best influence in guickening native
art and shaving TO our young aspirants alter art
themselves II ever we are 70 have school Of high
American art.