The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-09-29


consequences. One party in power might do
better than another for the time being, but
whether Mr.. Geeeley or General Grant be
elected the country viii be safe.
The Art Prospects or tho Season.
Although the majority Of the artists have
not yet returned from their Summer excur-
sions, enough is known of their labors to
enable us to predict unusually brilliant results.
As the principal body of artists make their
home in New York. as the metropolis of tho
Continent, when we chronicle their doings We
may be regarded as speaking for all American
art It is with sincere pleasure that we note
the works and sketches brought from the
country to the studio are marked by an ever
increasing care. In the absence of good
school of national painting the only hope Of
a successful development of art among us
lies in close and almost literal transcriptions
from nature. It is true that this will not te
the highest art, but it will eventually lead to
the highest. As we have insisted ON the neces-
sity for closer study from our artists as tho
price of success we are pleased TO notice
that the advice we have SO often ten
dered has not been without it's effect
Wherever progress can be chronicled.
there we find it the result of renewed applica-
ton, in many instances in the case of men
already in the front rank of their profession
Hart, Richards and Moran have achieved
eminence by careful study of the materials
and elements over which they exercise their
obi A,r1 kba ;cko NIL
emulate these men in their constant and loving
study of nature we may hope to have a school
made up of something better than European
failures The growing interest felt in art mat
ters in this country, our ever increasing
wealth, the refinement of manners and taste
that naturally must result, point to New York
as the future art centre of the world. While
other civilizations are in decadence ours alone
is young and vigorous starting almost at the
point it cost other nations ages of intellectual
toll to reach. We have been the inheritors
of the knowledge they amassed, and are now
free to apply it under new conditions of politi-
cal and social life that give ampler play to all
the human faculties.
What is perhaps most surprising in the arr
phenomena Of America is that the public are
advancing in art knowledge more rapidly than
the artists, who are in many instances inclined
to be conservative of the slipshod methods
which satisfied the public of twenty years ago.
But spots of color in landscape will no longer
serve for cattle; the patrons want real living
animals and will be content with nothing less.
So in the higher departments among the pain
tiers of men, something approaching correct
drawing and skilful composition is looked
for The cause of this is not far to look for.
The ever watchful dealer has noticed the inn
provement of taste among the public and has
fastened to supply the new demand, and from
foreign sources. Through this means New
York has advantages, comparing the worth of
the various foreign schools with each other
and with American work, such as are enjoyed
in the capitals of Europe only by the few.
This constant comparison is rapidly develop
ing q critical judgment among the educated
public that augurs well for the future interest
of art in America.
It is too early to say what the principal sub
jects treated by the leading artists this Winter
will be. In fact, for many reasons they object
to any hint on this point being given. We
can only say, therefore, that James Hart will
follow up the experiment of making cattle the
chief attraction Of his pictures, in view of the
warm encouragement he received from the
press when he produced Coming Out of the
Shade" In order to continue to be able ia
sustain the good opinions that he has already
gained he devoted his Summer to severe
study of animal form, and comes home with
wealth of sketches of animal life, full of force
and character What Hart did in the helda
Moran has done in New York bay. With
his studio overlooking the water he loves to
paint, he has watched its changing form and
hues in order correctly to reproduce their
semblance on canvas. The two De Haases'
have been to their favorite sketching ground
in the Isle Of Shoals, and have come back
moods. Some important and novel marine
pictures may be looked for from this
source. Sontag is away in his fairy
land, where no other mortal ever enters,
and he will bring us back opalescent noun
tains and wondrous rainbow landscapes, un-
real but full of charms. David Johnson has
changed his sketching ground to the Hudson
We are glad of it, because we shall have care
full, conscientious treatment of that beautiful
river in the cold grays, but with all the beauty
and suggestiveness of the locality made plain
to the vulgar eye. Sanford Clifford is miss
ing, but is certain to turn up at the right time
with some gorgeous memory of sunny Italy
skilfully recorded on canvas. Church has
just completed q tropical subject, which passed
from the studio into the gallery of q
private collector. Shattuck Is looking for