The Portland daily press., 1871-03-15
Art Notes,

Only f-w weeks age we u-ged our readers
TO visit the fine collection of carbon photo
| graphs, reproductions from the old masters
that were on exhibition at Hales Art Gallery,
and we would now advise them to call at the
| same place and treat themselves to an lhepee'
| ton of small but choice collection OF me
| paintings some of them private property ana
| never before exhibited-the Work OF our pest
| American, and some of the most celebrated
| of foreign artists.
| AS the visitor enters the gallery, the first
painting that strikes the eye is the large paint
| ing entitled Autumn among the White Hills"
| by Wesley Weber. In the foreground is an
| uodulating plain, with clump of trees some
distance oft on the left, shading rude log
shanty, in front Of which brisk fire is burn
ing. On the extreme left towers mountain,
Its sides covered with dense growth of frs,
and gradually sloping until its outlines melt
into the range of hills beyond. In the middle
distance, near the shanty, reposes qn'et lake,
fel by an exhaustive stream that is seen gam
boiling down the mountain sides in sparkling,
foaming cascades: while range on range of
mountains partly concealed by the blue haze
that is feature OF those regions, stretch away
into dim perspective, crowned by the snow
capped peak of Washington. On the RIGHT of
the picture also are hills with a grove at their
feet, and, ir fact, the painting is evidently in
tended TO represent valley surrounded by
mountains. The perspective, sky, and atnos-
phere are all good. as are the lights and shades
OF the painting. If We had any fault to Hud it
would be that the artist does not seem to have
worked up the details-hss not finished the
picture quite as thoroughly as we like. 1t
seems little sketchy, and the foliage in the
grove on the left we do not admire. 1t does
not look as if it was carefully done.
S. l.. Gerry exhibits very nice, quiet little
bit OF painting, which we should call "a Quiet
Spot" A natural basin has been formed in
mountain stream, led by babbng WATERFALL
over which the trees bend lovingly their toli-
age not yet turned by the nipping Autumn
air.
There are four pictures from the private col
lection Of Gen. John NJ. Brown, that deserve
an extended notice. particularly two compan-
ion pieces, evidently of the French school, but
remarkable for their coloring. One of them
represents French peasant sitting at a table
examining fracture in the bowl of pine he
holds in his hapds. The expression of his
face, the vividness of the features, the hie-like
charac er of the hands are all excellent. 1t
seems as IT you could see the blood coursipe
through the veins and if you should address
the old fellow be would answer you-Dresum-
ing you could speak the patois OF his class.
The companion piece, "A French peasant
woman knitting" posse sses the same geperal
M ia "a To fI,a 9TH n q
two remaining pieces is AN interior, a gentle
man IN donbiet and hose of a former century,
sitting 10 panellel apartment reading, while
at his side is table supporting decanler and
glasses, and his sword rests. quietly in a cor
ner. The painting is by Lrfevre, ard is some.
what after the style of Meisonier, but is not
elaborated to the extent that prevails ia that
latter artists WORKS. The face of the gentle.
man is admirable in its expression ana the
poise of the figure together with the careful
painting Of all the details furnishes a good
study to some of our own artists. The last of
the four represents French nobleman assist
Ing fair densotseue over the stepping-stone
OF brook, and is very graceful and pleasing
painting.
These are bUt few of this excellent collec-
ton that embraces Browns magnificent ma.
rine, Morning on the Northern Coast" Virgil
Roman Costumes" Miss Haley's
Grapes" Sonntas's peabody River" Fred |
'Iron Clad" aud many others, some |
'f which have already been noticed in these |
'oumns We should not forget to mention |
wo large paintings brought bone from Europe |
" the late Commodore Preb!e and which were
ent away to Boston to be reproduced They
respectively "St John" and "St Peter" The
ace OF st. Peter exhibits great power and is
evidently very valuable. That of St John we
10 not equally admire. By the way, why was
t that the old masters painted and sculptured
% such massive scale? Why did they al
ways portray such enormous muscles, such
Heroulean limbs?