The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-02

careless representation Of common nature with
little or no attempt 10 spritualze IT. and IN adii-
ton TO many defects OF execution, IL unpardonaby
vulgar In conception. 10 Is an example OF the
sensual school Of which sprung IN under the cor
sought To reproduce the voluptuons forms OF
Kubcns' women but too often missed The refinement
and delicacy that are visible even III
THE wARMRsr AND MOST SUGGESTIVE WORKS
OF that great master. The modelling OF the breast
and arms OF "Commerce" are IN this exaggerated
style; the full, well developed chest ana swelling
statue of Commerce" as Indicating wealth, rich.
ness and plenty; but stu We think all THIS could
have been a. well conveyed with little more deli.
caey OF Treatment and refinement Of expression.
Where the artist has exposed SO little OF his hesh
modelling we have right 10 expect that the little
when Il given should be good; but the contrary IL
the case IN this instance. Oi the nesh modelling OF
the Dosoms we can only say that the treatment Is
wanting In refinement, and tnat this defect Ii not
compensated by any peculiar
BREADTH or EXECUTION.
the right arm, winch is bare nearly to the shout
der, Il decidedly wrong In drawing and exhibits
the anatomy oil the human form. In fact We do
not remember to have seen 80 bad specimen Of
modelling IN any statue pretending to come ont Of
the nens OF an artist as the right arm OF Commerce
Notwithstanding the immense quantity Of the dra-
Fery on this statue, 1t Is poor IN quality; especially
on the upper part Of The figure IL IL stringy and
wanting IN breadth TIE lines the left side Of the
figure are chopped and broken and
for rom grsco N oF aMh MASS r or *; ,,o
lower drapery is broad and effective but somewhat
dragged while the back line Of the right leg appear
OIL drawing. Where such OF drapery Is intro
duced 1t Is only natural that we should look Tor
striking effects and bold, broad treatment rs some
compensation Tor the absence OF the form which IL
ma and buried beneath massive folds; IN the present
Not eau Co the realizaon Of ibis truth Hence he
has given US an immense quantity OF drapery,
very mucn broken up 1t IL true. with touches"
distributed with almost mathematical regularity,
but
NOT ONE BROAD. SWEEPING LINE
on which the eye could rest with pleasure in all the
mass OF drapcry by which the figure Is eucumbered.
In point of finish. too The work IS decidedly rough.
little or no care having been taken TO ''cean up'
the casting. The chasing seems to have been con-
lined 10 removing the unsigntly seams which could
not poss bly, nave been allowed to remain; but as To
gong carefully over lhe figure and endeavorlng to
remedy the errors which are unavoidable in heavy
castings there are Do Indications.
II VIC have somewhat severely criticised the work
OF M Fesquet, vt least We have not "ser down aught
IN malice" and, 10 TRUTH we have lett great many
things unsald. We speak In
THE INTEREST OF ART,
and desire that the works winch receive the honor
be too much good art Imported from wherever it can
be obtained, but II it IL not possible to ODiain tho
best works, then It 10 better that we should walt
rather than SET monuments or our bad taste for
pOsterty. Many OF the European capitals-LOn on
Tor lnstance-are rendered hideOus by collection or
pubic statues that are enough to produce night
mare. sad monuments to the stupid favOrtsm which
sacrificed the interest," OF art TO personal preectOn
:. me authorities Of our Empire CITY are making
parks. and have properly resolved on the introduce
tion OF examples OF European art tor the pleasure
correct arr taste mas all
OUR SYMPATHY,
and we only require that closer attention be paid TO
the selection OF WORKS. There hundred beautiful
statues by modern artiss--French, German, Italian,
English and Irishthat we should desire to see per-
manently before the eyes or our people, and from
which number there Is plenty OF room for our city
authorities to choose before 1t should become neces
Sary to purchase a work so defective Mons. FeS-
quet's commerce" and " @ hope that in future VIC
snail never have occasion 10 crticise severely
arr WORK erected ~ the public expense.
Krixhton i'm the Season.
Mr. II. W. Derby, on his recent return from
Europe, brought with him remarkable specimen OF
English art which will in few days be exhibited TO
the public a. the new art rooms of Messrs. Leavtt
Co., on the corner OF Twelfth street and Broadway.
The painting which is about nine feet long by five
IN breadth, represents brighton in the Season." 1t
Is the work or the celebrated artist James Webb,
who OF all the English artists Is the only one who
can wear the mantle Of the late Garrison Stanheld.
1t Occasi0ned great sensation last season Ill Lon
don, thousands nocking daily to see 1t at the 81.
James Gallery, and 1t was subsequently exhibited In
several OF the leading provincial towns, at Scar
borough and other famous watering places.
One great merit of the picture consists In lis en-
treme fidelity to nature While handled with all
the freedom or genuine art 1t Is so truthful repre-
scntation Of The scene portrayed by It as to afford
VS. the eAt1 csflon, which, in that respect we feel
when looking at photograph The scene 10 ,.Ms.
from the fine, now west pier looking land ward, and
embracing in splendid view the whole espla-
made, fr0nted by the arches OF the sea wall and a
panorama OF the entire sea 'front.' with It's hotels and
fantastic. but picturesque, buildings all OF varied
heights ana different styles OF architecture The
Grand, the New York and the BEDFORD Hotels are
recognized looming UP conspicuOusly. To the east
ls caught glimpse Of 'the chain pier and the hills
and chalky cliffs eyOnd Kemptown while the artist
has been true in his details that each house along
the Kings road I'm the distance can be distinguished
by its peculiarites.
But, while thus valuable a correct pOrtraiture
OF celebrated locality, the painting possesses merit
OF q still higher kind This consists in It's fine ar.
tistic treatment In the beautiful manner In which
sea, earth and sky are painted and the wonderful
spirit and variety thrown into the countless forms
OF pleasure seekers Of both and OF all ages and
social conditions who thr0ng the gay pier and en-.
liven the foreground 1t is perfect representation
or life at fashionable English watering place. and
the artist has clevery seized upon all those striking
contrasts Of character which are only to be found
grouped together at certain seasons IN the grand
promenades Of such localities Besides giving a
good idea OF how ''0ur cousins across the watern
enjoy themselves In summer time the brighton in
the Season" shows us in what lavish expenditure
they indulge in providing for their enjoyment. It
OFFERS moreover the interest Of dcudlte, In view Of
the proposed Long Branch pier, OF which descrp-
ton was given yesterday In the HERALD There Is
no reason why more than one OF our own favorite
watering places should not ere long boast OF a cool
and magnificent pier jutting far out into the sea,
like the new west pier at Brighton, the delight OF
promenaders. The exhibition Of "Brighton IN the
Season" viii tend 10 increase the pnbc desire that
the time may be FASTENED when scene as fine, il
not finer, may be presented at Long Branch and
elsewhere.
PACIFIC COAST ITEMS.