The New York herald., 1872-11-07

executive session.
ART MATTERS.
The Belmont Collection.
The interest In this excellent collection Of works
continues unabated. Even the excitement OF the
election contest on Tuesday failed to interrupt the
constant dow Of visitors to the Leavtt Art Rooms
where the works have been for some time on ex
hibition. The surest test which could have beer
applied to the popularity OF the collection was the
resolution to levy the toll Of twenty-five cents or
each visitor. Under ordinary circumstances We
should look upon this as an unwise and illiberal in
novation, but in view Of the constantly crowded
state Of the gallery it is evident that
II some precaution Of this nature had
not been adopted 1t would have been
impossible to obtain Q glance at the
pictures, owing to the crowds that would have
been In constant attendance The admission
charge, therefore, acts as wholesome check, ant
not only makes the visitors select, but enables
those who 60 In to enjoy the pictures In comfort
This is one Of the most desirable features Of ar
exhibition Of the Kind, and we are glad to secure
it at any cost.
In connection with the pictures we feel com
PEELED to protest against the manner In which the,
are framed. Not the slightest
APPRECIATION OF sUrrABLENEss
appears to have entered the mind Of the person
who selected them. There was but one though
upperm0st In his mind and 1t was to have as mucl
gold leaf exposed to the eye as possible.
there was any idea OF chasteness OF desigI
we can see no evidence Of 1t. Whoevej
had charge ofthis work evidently thought that
frame was frame, and that so long as picture
were surrounded by gided rims nothing more wa
necessary. The effect Of this want OF comprehen
sion is that many Of the best pictures not seei
to advantage, and their selling value is in conse
quence likely to suffer from this apparently trivia
circumstance. It is reassuring for the prospect
Of art to notice the keen and intelligent interes
manifested In the various works by the visitors
In nearly all cases the best works attract the chic
attention, though the criticisms one hears frol
time to time, uttered with charming frankness fo
the benent Of all whom it may concern, are some
times amusing enough. Still, even where errt
neous views are entertained, visit to tn
Belmont collection cannot be without
good effect In giving rise to truer conceI
tions OF the aim and scope Of art. AS "
not OF very high order, but Of the overwhelmin
majority would each one be regarded as q gem II
ordinary galleries. This fact alone will show hoJ
instructive and interesting 1t must be for an OIL
servant visitor to pass in review the works Of mel
who have earned and acquired
WORLDWIDE REPUTATION.
One Of the most important works, In point
value tn though s,,s not IT. Of SIZE, Is ron Meissonier
easel @ d,sas lie g cans t II x1e Svaner we see man
the mantel piece, warming his feet at the nrC
The pose s very easy and natural, and the work /
Meissonier's school, But what Is most effective
the sense OF breath and importance which TIL
tas gs ns aS
The scarlet coat OF the cavalier Is painted with
WONDERFUL INTENSITY,
arn Of oooiey tnts Which ena Il
creased brilliancy by contrast. The figure Is draw
with mastery 9 freedom the ne more remarkable b
Probably the work which Will excite the keenei
competition will be the solitary example Of POI
on the character Of the empire Drought DOWN
him the III WIN OF Napoleon and earned for hi
%s for the Bal
life was SO short and he has left SO few memorial
behind him that collectors cannot stop to choos
artist represented In their galleries. His beN
work is owned In the United States, but there al
'Ue
pervading characteristic Of his mind is conveys
ina
SUBTLE, DELICATE WAY
in the scene between the two masqueraders. IT
story Is rather suggested than told, but no one
could os fail to supply the mis-
arly brilliant, as the artist used to the best adva
tage the bizarre costumes, which we see hangir
against the wall. The technical merit Of the wol
verlat contributes an admirable example Of ar
NAL ma painting. selecting very ordinary incident 4
effective manner, has given to it considerable /
terest The title given in the catalogue is ''Ti
that, unconscious Of her presence, is see
savscg be " the opening
puss' face Is eloquent Of her thoughts-the who
posture Of the animal is made to express the san
READINESS TO SPRING,
and yet to present the idea OF uuiescence TT
way in which this has been effected shows that II
artist has studied carefully the habits Of the amino
painting OF the feline fur has been performed del
terously, and the whole action OF the animal l
The work has been treated with vigorous decisiC
both In drawing and laying on the color 1t is OF
OF the best animal studies we have ever seen
America.
The snedecor Gallery.
The opening Of this gallery for the winter seasc
takes place to-day. The chief attractions will
furnished by choice collection OF water colo
paintings representing the chief European school,
AS this branch Of art is rapidly gaining in popul
estimation the collection will not fail to attra
considerable attention, as 1t Is one OF the large
and best selected Of works in this genre that he
ever been seen In America. The most importal
vous," by Siminett IL belongs to the new Italia
school and Is remarkable for the delicacy OF II
h arc h
merit. Some landscapes by Martin W
attract attention. They breathe o poet
sentiment which Is in admirable keepir
with the deiicacy OF the colors De Nitt CO.
tributes two sketches in black and white whit
were remarkable for the admirable quality of Il
drawing. These works belong 20 the school I
Meissonler and Zamacers and resemble conside
ably the works Of the latter artist. vibert co
tributes the sketch Of an Arab. and Copriani
represented by Roman sketch, which is painte
is represented by sketches which have more fre
dom than we usually dnd In his works, but wan
ing In the finish.
THE SECOND AVENUE RAILROAD EXTENSION