Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-18
SCHOOLS OF ART.
rAe schools of Munich and Dusseldorf.

The Schools Of Munich anu DusseIuOFf.
BY ROBERT NEWMAN.
In 1913 a collection of works known as
the Dusseldorf Gallery, was opened in New
York. in the upper portion Of 3 church on
Rroadwav. nearly opposite where now
stands the S.. Nicholas Hotel, containing
few examples of Overlook, Leasing, Leutze,
Sohn, SchadoW, and others, with number
of genre pictures and landscapes.
These works stood SO markedly in con-
trast with the pictures in the Art Union
exhibitions as to attract universal attention
to their high artistic merit, carefully and
iutelligeutly planned, patiently and minute
lv finished; some carried TO an extreme IN
this direction-haying the appearance OF
works in enamel-great precision and pow
er in drawing, with an exhaustive analysis
of light and dark, and refexes; keen ap-
preciation Of character, and rigid adherence
10 truth of historical costume.
These works then so fresh and novel,
ayaked a desire within me to profit by the
teaching of such proicients; and decided
and deYeloyJd q vague longing into voy-
ace to Europe for the purpose OF studying
in this school. Circumstances led me TO
dev! ate from this pan formed in America,
upon nv arrival in London and landed 10
the gay capital Of Paris, where meeting sew
eral American students Of his school, and
others who had remained some years III
Italy, BY the advice of whom | took up my
studies there in the Atelur OF Thomas
Couture. Stringe stories OF students kept
for years drawing minute detsils OF the
face and figure, induced me to turn to more
attractive and inviting schools and fixed
the resolution of study in France and Italy.
I was shown pictures by American stu
dents. the result of several years study,
with Lessing and SOhn, which, when COM
pared with others produced under the teach
inc of Couture, Delaroche, Ingres and AIRY
SchefFer. confirmed my resolution. With
the sole exceptiC of Lentze, the subjects
of German works were but little TO my
taste. however admirable some Of the quail
ties developed in their treatment.
The most important work of the Dussel-
dorf collections, 'The Martyrdom Of Huss,"
bv Leasing, is an impressive, imposing and,
In some points, an admirable work; its
chief deficiency is lack of poetic conception,
want of texture, and certain hlmslness OF
color: flesh, and earth, and sky, and armcr
had all the same sheen; looked too new and
glossy aud told Of the studio rather than OF
the open air, as if it was painted from
drawings, not from real life. With mastery
drawing there is a a garTishness OF light, and
an entire absence Of tone,
"The Inconoclast" and "Henry the
Eighth and Anne BOlyn, seated in an oFiel
window" by Emanuel Leuze, small abb
net pictures, are fac works, vigorous draw
ING with much attention 10 color. The
largo picture of "Washington crossing the
Delaware" gorged with ice, in an open boat,
is a work of the highest order Of merit; it
is widely known by a fair engraving distri-
bnfed broad cast through the country.
TautZ will long be known by many fine
works in the collections Of New York,
Washington, and Boston.
OF Overbech single example, showing
studv and admiration OF Raphael and the
early Italians, he finds competitor IN In
ores, of Paris, and Arp Scheter, slightly
differing In choice and treatment OF SUBJECT,
the feeling and motive closely allied.
Cornelius is generally known to artists as
the Michael Angelo OF Munich, a not very
fisttering distinction, for Buonnurotti said
in reference to the change Of style In the
works of Raphael, after seeing his cartoon
of "Soldiers Surprised by the Enemy whilst
Bathing" that, "Whoever is willing to fol-
low viii never lead" Many men Of great
abilities have been wrecked in this manner.
| have only to cite the memorable instance or
Washington Allston, Of South Carolina,
studying in Rome at the same time with
Oyerbech, Thorwaslsden and others OF the
German school, man Of great intelligence
and chaste feeling, the most thorough
and accomplished painter America mas Pre-
duced. SkilIful aud versed in ali that con-
cerned art, with an elevation OF character
beyond any painter that l have heard or
read Of. he1gas known in Rome as the
American Titan. Some fifty or sixty
large and small, comprise the works Of his
life: a few poems, reminding of COleridge,
an Italian romance, with Art as tn subject,
and six or eight lectures on art. His
works are mostly owned in Boston where
he resided after his return from Europe,
A few of them in England; one of them, L
think, at ChatsWOrth, the seat Of the Duke
Of Deyonshire. They appear to be the pro-
dnction of q reflective mind, finding no
material in the present adopting the types
and forms of a by-gone age, which be
Judged more favorable for artistic express
sion. Mr., AllstoD's works are but little
more known TO communities of active busi-
ness men than these of Fra Bartolomeo,
whom in some respects he resem6ied.
The sole example Of Kaulbaeh when
have seen, large cartoon OF the Kefotma-
ton, a specimen Of mature power, mastery
liz drawing and composition; keen, ex-
haustiye analysis Of character expressed IN
a mode fac away removed from common
apprehension; wrapped up and yelled in
SYMBOLISM and mystery; a reflex CT Kant,
Fichti, Lsssiag, Goethe, HegeL etc., the
thinkers of Germany; with some ineon-
gruit es in time and action, and want OF
unity and simplicity. This work is a re-
hinder of the School of Athens, by Ra-
ph@l, fair copy of which in the rotunda is