The New York herald., 1872-11-13
ART MATTERS.
The sale or the Belmont CeiIeetis~.

The sale or the Belmont Colleotisa.
Clinton Hall was last night crowded By the nest
prominent art patrons OF the city. The state Of
the weather no doubt kept away great number,
OF people, and also the general idea that there
would be . crush. These two causes combined TO-
prevent the rush that otherwise undoubtedly w0ulG
have taken place. Nor was the sudden calamity
that had fallen on Boston altogether without its
influence on the attendance or the enthusiasm OF
the assistants. The melancholy fate OF the North-
ern city had disturbed unquestionably the financial
sffairs. and ct the same time the nerves
OF the buyers. 1t would have been Inn
possible to have chosen worse time TO throw
works OF art on the market, but as the announce
nent had been made 1t was dificut to recede.
The sudden disturbance OF the commercial world
ana the certainty that money would be needed
10 repair the rightfu losses incurred at Boston,,
hauo men button up closely their pockets who
under other circumstances would have purchased
literally. The result was that most Of the works
were sold At . sacrifice aud were purchased
IN many instances by dealers, who look to making
considerable profit on their transactions When
we see men buying who must sell at considerably
advanced prices in order to make profitable
works are being sold far below their value. AN An
instance or this was furnished by the sale OF Ca
lanes picture Summer In the Alps" Tor s1,7eo, =
work was one OF the strongest and most meritoriI
GUS IN the whole collection, and yet mere cabinet
most as high figure This Ia due In great part to
the want OF appreciation shown by the American
public for the highest order OF landscape painting
In our present stage We are more devoted to mere
prettlness than to vigOr and strength, which are
'1ne Return from Pasture BY R Rosa Bonneur, Was
sold for $6O50 This work s one OF the most impUr-
tant In America from the easel OF this iav0rte
artist 1t representa- group OF cattle In the mel
anch0ly Landes OF Brittany. The composition Of
the picture is strikingly bold and forolbe, and,
feeling, the artist has chosen the light
landscape, but % have % not yet deepened % sui,centy
TO obscure tho scene. This hour In lonely spots u
MYSTERY AND sUdGEsTIvENEss.
There is sense OF unbrOken quiet con.
yeyed by the picture which is character.
Of the figure of the peasant as the. CON.
meeting ne, link OF human sympathy In the midst Of
sss1 ana and SS ercss. TS5s p
mould have in the EarOpsas
are striking examples Of Andrew Achenbach and
fully finished than most Of the works from his easel
which ilnd their way into this country. cite Nor.
way Landscape has certain
GRANDEUR AND sOLEMNITY
well in keeping with the wild and rugged beauty
OIL the scene.
,,AsS, strongly sssS painted picture Of Adophe Deu.
One OF the most important pictures In the gall
lery, Bert-Flenry's "Pagc OF Rome" brought
only s2.40O. II represents incident In the sack
OF the sacred city by the Constable de-
BouIbon's army. The composition is strong
and full oil action; all the subordinate groups
are well harmOnized so as to contribute to the
effect Of the picture without losing any Of their
necessary Individuality. The various positions Of
the assistants are brought out clearly to the mind
OF the spectator The scene Is impressive, but SUCH
details would deepen the horror have been simply
suggested In this the artist has shown an excellent
conception Of the proper limitation OF art.
Some OF the other works sold at prices far below
their value, rs may be judged from the following
list Of prices Of the principal w0rks:-"Sheep,h
Child" BY Bouguerau, $4,000; "Marino
Faero," by. De Keyser, $4,000; "The,
Wo%an," by Eybel seooW W brinE oi 81 wster," ~
!; Frere, 5000; "baron M.nchausen,S q. 1oS;
y 'Iamnan, $50; THE the sayoyaTa:", ~
$4,000; .'Maid OF Saragossa," by Leutze,
$1,700. The entire collection did not re-
alize over $4,000, sum which falls
far short OF the expectations formed beforehand.
The lowest calculations were that the collection
would bring about 100000, and the difference Ia
no doubt chiefly caused by the terrible calamity In
Boston indlspOsing merchants from making In
vestments which cannot be promptly realized.