The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-17
ART MATTERS.


Pictures I'm tho stusaios,
Although the art season has been unusually bril-.
liant III the number and character OF paintings ac-
quired by the public, times in the studios have
been dull. The picture buying rage early took a
foreign direction, and preserved it with but slight
interruption to the last 1t was certainly unfor
tnnatc for the native artists, whose losses must
have been quite considerable although there liz
reason to hope that the ultimate result win be
beneficial to the interest OF art In this country
There was exhibited strong disposition to
recognize merit and much sound Judgment
In the choice Of works. or course there
was also good deal OF questionable patron
age INDUCED In by people with more
money than taste, but this viii cure itself In
time, and 1t 10 better that people should buy with
poor Judgment than not buy at all. The influx Of
foreign pictures has not been without o very
marked influence on our native school. spirit Of
rivalry was awakened which gave us quite num-
Der of paintings OF high order. For the most
part these works were not seen by tho public
having been carried or to private galleries. The
picture historian OF our art progress will not, how
ever, fail to mark the number Of strong and orig
inal works which this year has brought forth.
Most of them have already been noticed at con-
siderable length In these columns Under
the circumstances TO which we have alluded
ting their studios for their summer rambles In
quest OF subjects and patrons. Several ambitious
pictures are receiving the last touches. Among
these delightful view Of the harbor OF Brindis by
$. r. Clifford The view is looking out to sea, with
the Old medieval fortress looming up the left.
A feet OF fishing boats with their triangular sails
set are coming into port. The scene conveys
sense OF indolent peace, which is only broken by
the distant brcakwaters In course OF construction
These are the only evidences OF activity and pro-
gress. The blue waters spread out like placid lake
and the sense OF sultry atmosphere has been
admirably conveyed This picture is certain to ac-
quire new interest with time, as few years will
completely rey0lutOnize the aspect or the harbOr
which is destined to become the great emporium OF
picture in his most effective manner, and manages
to suggest both the present repose and the future
simple and erective composition. Which aims at
giving us an idea Of the appearance Of an Egyptian
daylight rather than any striking landscape effects
With admirable force, and correctly expressed
There. Is nothing very striking in the
known how to surround WY the - IN unload a.is
Ing OF native darbeah, or common
something In the picture which tells at that
1t is q faithful transcript OF scene witnessed by
the artist, but passed through the process of ideal
to admire the cOmmonest transcripts OF nature
when once they have been touched by the hand of
q
ripple, and number OF cames are coming down
through the strand These scant materials have
been used with grave Judgment, and, without any
straining after effect, have been wrought into an
excellent picture of one phase OF Egyptian river
life But II Is In the happy way In which the atmos
success has been achieved.
NJ I. II. De Haas is engaged on characteristic
picture OF Freshwater Bay, Isle OF Wight. The
bold, rocky coast Is tingcd with the crimson Of the
setting sun, and something OF Eastern spendor
has been impaired to the English scene. sucn
glorious sunsets are certainly not common in Eng
land and we fear foreigners who preserve generally
q very strong impression OF fogs and rain showers
would be apt to look on Mr. De Haas picture some
nattery of England, OF which Mr.. De Haas may
have been guilty, his picture contains great deal
OF merit, both In It's composition which Is bold and
massive and In its color. The sunset tns are richer
but more subdued than usual, while the massive
cumulus cloud is modelled with great strength and
decision, showing careful study OF sky phenomena.
The sense OF immateiiaity has also been combined
with massveness Of structure, and the treatment
of the shadows marked by deicacy and refine
ment. Taken altogether, we consider it to be one
of the best Examples we have seen OF Mr. De Haas.
Beaufrain Irving has followed up his 'Iast OF the
Came" which earned for him front place In his
own department, which may be termed historical
the European artists had the field to them
selves as our genre painters most confined them
se cSes 10 aomesic subjects Mr. rvngs present
decided Improvement on his last, especially In the
matter OF color; The story which the artist under
or dramatic power. storming party are just fore
ing their way to the lower vaults OF castle where
the defenders have taken refuge. The lord has been
wounded, and Is standing In the foreground
with his wife ana coniessor. He is in the act Of
drawing his sword to engage again in the combat,
and the artist with considerable success has stivcn
to express resolution tinged by the knowledge OF
an almost inevitable DOOM This Is made the chief
point OF the composition, to which everything else
Is but accessory. The costume is carefully studied
and Wen painted. The picture has been pur-
J. G. Brown has just finished delightful picture,
which he calls 1.-THE Story OF Rip Van Winkle.b
Two little children are listening with all the ingen-
uonsncss of childhood to the sad tale which their
mother IL relating to them before Rogers statuette
group. The composition OF the picture and the eX-
pressOns Of the children are simply admirable, es-
pecally the nquirng and halEtearful look Of the
little girl. Mr.. Brown has thrown all his powers OF
characterization into this picture which Is also re-
markable for close and careful technical handling
and briancy OF color.
Mr.. Henry is working on a charming little pic.
ture, which he calls "Courtship in the Last Cen
tury.n 1t is well drawn and strong In color ana
conveys its story with directness.