Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-11-09

| POULTNEY-Thea art exhibition of pic
lures, and works of art, at Joslin Hall,
closed on Friday evening last, as not only
financial success, but an acknowledged
influence in cultivating the taste, and ad-
vancing the beautiful in art. The idea
of an art gallery of a few days duration
in the country was novel and By some
regarded as a doubtful experiment but
once decided upon, soliciting committee
began the work by asking for such con-
tributions aa tAe citizens were able TO
make. Generous hearts from all denomi-
u,'ions cheerfully responded, while active
h ,nds placed them upon the walls until
thr rargo hall was filled aud in two days
an art gallery worth several thousand
dol4r. was in existence. The large num-
Der Of paintings, chromos and engravings
embraced tNe works of American ard for
eign artists, with a fair proportion of
home talent and we soon found our
selves surrounded by n new creation of
art and beauty Wh4' had boon wrought
out in silence and retirement, by weeks
and months of study and patient labor,
now looked ont from public walls in
brilliancy and beauty. Aud now we be-
gan anew to study the character and
tastes of those with whom we supposed
ourselves previously acquainted. But
how little did we know of theic thoughts,
and the inner workings of their social and
intellectual life, until we saw them ex-
pressed upon canvas. For hours, and
DAYS, we viewed the creations of head and
heart, as they chry ystalized themselves by
brush and canvas into permanent form
and in sympathy with artists, walked
in immagination side by side over land
scapes of beauty, among silent retreats OF
rugged. mountains down in deep shadowy
glens damp with waterfalls and mess
covered rocks, or looked out into the
warm sunlight upon cheerful farm scenes
and homes surrounded by the beauty and
attractions of civilized life. There is not
a tree or flower, hillside or lake, which
the artist has pictured, but has been an
object of closest study, and around each,
associations of sadness or pleasure have
G u stered. And so we read the artists
thoughts, tastes and feelings, as truth
fully as the quiet AXE mirrors back each
passing cloud and over-hangiug tree. |
Each picture in turn has its own peculiar |
interest and expression of character. At
one glance you are half inclined to bow
in respect to the life-like expression of
Raphael, or Shakespere the next you are
in breathless anxiety to see if the Little
Fishers" are going to get bite. At one
moment you admire the noble view of the
Hudson at West Point" at another you
are entranced with a Moonlight Scene;
where the. silver light dances on the rip
pling waters of the sleeping lake. The
lovers of children stop to frolic with the
roquish half-dressed "Peck-a-boa," and
the devout pass on to geze with rapture
upon the moral beauty of "The Changed
Cross" So every variety of taste found |
it's own congenial enjoyment, and models
of exct Hence. Artists caught suggestions
where the rough places would have look
ed better smoothed down little, where
the tints could have been better blended,
and the outlines softened /; art students
looked over a broader field of culture and
excellence, we all became better acquaint-
ed with the beautiful in art, and were
made happier and better.
OBSERVER.