The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-30
THE COOPER UNION.
Of the Art studontp Works.

Exhibition Of tho Art Studonts' Works.
The annual exhibition Of the scenic and art de
partmcnts Of the Cooper Union opened last night
The large reading room was festooned with the
national nag and band OF music enivened the pro.
ceedngs with selections of popular airs Immense
numbers OF visitors thronged the galleries and
rooms Of the Institute; in fact so great was the IN.
nux OF people anxious to see the works OF the
pupils OF this popular institution that circulation
was exceedingly dnicult. This evident interest," in
the art schools gives US measure OF the rapidly
GROWING ART TASTE
in America, which only needs proper direction to
place this country on an equality IN art productions
with the old European countries. In the work
undertaken by the Directors OF the Cooper Union we
see step IN the right direction; but with full con-
seriousness OF the diflcuties with which these well
intcntloned gentlemen nave to struggle it is incum-
bent upon us TO remind them tnat they have only
taken one feeble step In the right road. Crcd!tabe
as the exhiultion Is TO the Cooper Union, II marks
more strongly the neglected and backward state OF
in this country rather than any particular pro-
gress on the part OF the pupils. Wero we to regard
eye we should lie compelled to say that the principal
merit Of the best of them consists In being not very
bad. traces OF r,o,o,,s svsrr,
are everywhere apparent, though Efforts OF n more
healthy nature are now being made to Introduce u
hope TO draw figures correctly it Is absolutely neces
sary that they should learn the fundamental princi
Srash es Tns fact has BEEN ~
the directors Of the art schools and the pleas.
antest and most charming sight IN the exhibition
cones and and OTHER simple solid f forms, be-
cause it furnishes SO much zeal work
department the pupils have been allowed to 70
beyond their power In attempting 20 shade,
learning to draw correct outlines. In the ladies'
department there are some very fair clemen tary
drawings from the SOLO ont the nGIie STUDIES from
on the masters who permit their pupils to waste
their time In shading-as we shall call II, through
see to be
INCORRECT IN DRAWING
and completely cut OF proportion. II students wish
to draw the human form-the best and noblest
study they can make-they should begin by draw.
Ing The bones and the skeleton until they
beers, after which they might endeav0r to dill 10 the
muscles, and the knowledge thus derived would
prevent them exhibiting such sadly dsproportioned
figure drawings as at present appear on the walls
OF The Institute. What we have said OF the ladies
few studies or the torso OF Venus are the only draw.
ings In the advanced class that have any preten-
s sna even 70 eSe @ FAR short o we
meet from art students. A mtsc0nccptiOn seems
To exist In the minds OF the pupils as to the value
and
APPLICATION OF SHADING.
and hence we have the outlines blackened, with
purpose. Shadows should reveal form, and no line
should he drawn which Is not destined TO mark
some truth. students would keep THIS In nina tnclr
work would be cleaner and more Ineligible; but
what both masters and pupils would do well TO re-
member Is that no amount OF shading VIII correct
detective outline. Tho results 10 the mechanical
Tawing department are much more satisfactory, and
some excellent and CONSCIENTIOUS work Is on view.
The skeleton OF every drawing Is shown, side by side
with the finished work. and the result OF this accu-
rate work IS visible In the nsh and correct proper
lions OF the drawings.
THE SCULPTURAL CLASS
+ very poorly represented and the same feverish
bilious attempts to model statuettes by students
who ought To be trying TO model foot or hand
correctly. In the wood engraving department the
ladies nave made really wonderful progress. Among
the best examples OF WORK done By one year pupils
10 be seen drawings which would rellect credit
on moro mature students. A landscape. by Miss
Helen Burt, student OF three years standing. de
serves esnecial mention and gives promise OF good
work.