New-York tribune., 1871-08-02
TIE SUN IN THE VEST"
~ u,ruy,rp,s r,rE WORK.


I'VE give place to the following article by friend
of tho lato Mr.. Wenzler because it gives in an
authoritative form the artists thought and purpose
in this remarkable picture, We cannot share the
enthusiastic opinion here expressed as TO the success
of Mr. Wenzler's embodiment OF his idea but cheer
fully print this article contribution TO the history
C one OF the most extraordinary instances OF artistic
effort and devotion which have been known IN our
tme.-Edl
TO tAe Edftor OF The Tribune.
SIR: The active artist life of Mr.. WenzleI
may be divided into three decades. In the hrst ne
painted ony miniatures; in the second portraits, ana
the third was chiefly devoted to landscapes When ne
commenced tls last branch Of art his efforts produced
very dscOuragng results and his friends regretted hat
he had chosen that department. but In his hna picture
ts genius has found worthy and full expressioh' nc
has been working It for three years. ana "hrehi'-
tingly during the past Winter. Many works are pro
dpced nv the sweat OF the brow but Wenzer put his life
into his last picture Ambition to finish 1t spuTred n
on to labor beyond bis strength He lived on nervous
excitement until its completion, and then the reaeH"s
exhaustion took HIM away, and left us TO mourn 'e iOS
of q talented artist and noble man.
wenzlers last picture claims double attention fls'
as an illustration Of his peculiar theory about sunhSH
and second rs a work Of Mr. Wcnzler especially oe
sired 10 have called The Sun In the West snce '
wished the TO attract notice and study rabh'i ~
that particular landscape. lie had stndleu tnc '"eOJ
way 70 produce it on canvas TO reproduce the acOh
of nature and TO that end painted the yellow ban IN
tbe center OF numerous concentro circles OF ISmauo
eoorng On close inspection OF the picture TINS may
h seem at o distance Of 10 feet these circles become IN
distinct aud at feet only mass OF light Is visible
When the picture broad MONDAY light upon 1t this
sun dazzles the eye and the late afternoon II gives the
effect OF a mass OF hay light The artist himself
sald few days before bis death: q" If my theory is
sound tlon have d)Ie w3. artist has yet done, but
" il Is correct then my picture will be valued only
g. landscape s. must leave the estimation OF the
theory to time and the critics and, meanwhile, we may
eonsidcr the picture merely a work OF art 1t Is
the AndroScoggiu, Bethel, Maine, having
been admirably chosen The long vista down the center
Ranked on either side by bills, gives balance 10 tne
picture without making 10 stiR hammered and offers
good opportunities for ne8r and aerial perspeetye Inc
picture represents the about two hours before SET
ting, directly in front Of the beholder and Illuminating
broad lhefNale covered WIN grass, anu puslo ~ "n
trees river through tie valley and strong re-
yerlfes the German prOverb that "water is the
eye of the landscape" The sun and the re,
give it Ioost admirable uuity. which is carried
pat IN the neutral unts os the say IN @ Lne % e we
parallel paths in the foreground The mass OF green is
no 10 tire ee te eye among the nS touches are the
reflections from the bOusetops and ehurch spfe, tue
an unusually beautiful Elm in the right foreground Per
haps he best work Il inst back OF TINS elm on the pro
concentrated the shadows in close juxtaposiion to the
strong reflection thus bringing out very me Dut
conspicuous effect Of cnaTOscuTO The manual labor
has been executed with but little pigment with CON
clcntiOus and wonderful eYenness. There are no
basty spashes of paint and no careless work.
Finally must add that tine greatest defect or the
picture is this: II assumes 10 represent an unoouded
sun, but the air. especially in the background, is haZy
The foreground lies in gaIng sunlight but between this
foreground and the the is Obstruced by some
udng, aud by something which the artist certainly
hoped avoid IL is not cloudit is not evident haze.
II is simply that the does not seem to pierce through
clear ether up TO The light-giying orb itself
The picture Is exhibition ct the Union League Club
House offered for sale by Miss Wenzer only sister
OF the late artist lady already known 60 the public for
her talent in painting flower and fruit pieces. {.
heo- York, July IA, 1871.