The New York herald., 1873-09-16
ART MATTERS.

Mncdonald's Model OF GcneraI Thomas.
Some weeks ago we mentioned that number OF
models for an equestrian statue OF General Thomas
were to be forwarded to Pittsburg by the 18th oil
the present month, and drew attention to one
which had just been completed by Signor G. Turni,
OF No. "a West Thirtieth street. Since then
model has been finished by Mr.. j. Wilson Macdon-
aid, which was forwarded TO Pittsburg last even
ing, and which we recently inspected at the sculp-
tors studio, room j, No. 1,267 Broadway. The
model is twenty-five inches high, or one-thrd the
natural size, and represents General Thomas
seated upon powerful thoroughbred horse.
Perhaps the merit that first strikes the eye
Is the correspondence between the horse and the
rider. There is O sort OF Centaursnip OF sympathy
between them. The sculptor has selected typi-
cal, average, characteristic expression for BOTH
He has not represented the steed as wildly plung
Ing or fercey rearing but AZ having suddenly
been reined in after galloping along at spanking
pace while his rider surveys the scene around ana
chooses field OF battle. In this survey the steed
Is made to sympathize. You see 1t in the ears
thrown forward, in the parted lips, which are not
without proper spread, IN the dstended nostrls
and IN the erect tail.
In his treatment of General Thomas the sculptor
has borne IN mind that his subject was man OF
great dignity OF character, SLOW and almost pom
derous Ia MS movements, and with no taste for
anything suggestive OF capering, tinse and mere
shew. 1t Is these general prevailing characteris-
tics which it was tue sculptor's duty to indicate,
unmndful OF the vulgar prejudice which
invariably represents successful general
on fiery charger organizing destruction
In the midst OF shot and snell In the present
instance General Thomas Is shown seated calmly on
his horse, wearing that look OF serious rugged,
dignfed inqusitiveness which had grown charac
let's and plain boots instead OF cavalry ones; and
in these little items the astidious personal tastes
OF the General are accurately reflected. He looks
attentively before him, probably comparing the
opportunities afforded by the Landscape with the
map he holds In one hand, quietly creating that
determination which, once completed, passed so
Immediately into action. But on the whole we
think that, excellent as Is MI Macdonads portrait
OF General Thomas, he has beer even more success
full with the horse The sculptor has been deep
student OF the history and anatomy OF that quad
ruped, Is Intimately acquainted with the peculari-
ties OF his organization, his performances upon the
road and the turf, and those idOsy ncracies which
lit him to be so valuable companion and servant
to man. The equine model of which we have been
speaking presents many points that justify his claims
to be considered q thOroughDred-Swltt, strong,
enduring ana intelligent. He has the short back,
the broad and powerful loins, the heavy stine and
WIDE gaskins the soping shoulders throwing the
withers well back. the long legs the nat, long and
elastic pasterns, the deep chest, the large nostrs
and throat the narrow and compact front, and
that posterior breadth, height and strength, all OF
which enter into the composition OF a grand horse.
Amoug the sculptor's designs for pedestas Is one
intended be OF Rose or Quincy blue granite, the
sides of the die being in panels ana meant for has
reliefs. AT each corner are additional pedestais
| for groups, representing War, Victory, Fame and
Peace Another design offers, instead OF allegorica
fought under Thomas. Upon still another design
| eagles substituted tor these figures. Accom-
! panying the model and the designs is heroic
sized bust Of General Thomas in winch the massive
and leonine character OF the head and face are
finely preserved. small cabinet-sized sketch Of
the head retains something OF the same pecu-
lartles. The Pittsburg Committee wIl SIT on
Thursday.
Art Notes.
Mr.. Carl Baum, OF Farmingdae, N Y, has just
completed very pleasing view OF the Delaware
Water Gap from the Pennsylvania side The pic
ture may be seen in Mr.. Philip Relns store, under
the Fifth Avenue Hotel.
MI. Henry W. Troy has on exhibition at his
rooms, No. 160 Fulton street. an exceedingly clever
specimen OF the eccentric application OF some OF
the lower accessories OF art which would probably
be more interesting to wall street than to the
conn0sseurs OF the Academy OF Design. 1t consists
in a perfect imitation, by means OF cInnipgly ap-
Piled colors OF O counterfeit S. note, which is sup
posed to be pasted against piece OF blank paper
inside frame and beneath sheet OF glass, tnat
has got accidentally broken. The stimulation OF
tho broken glass, OF the pasting OF the bank note
on the blank paper, OF the various charact eristics
which proclaim the supposititous counterfeit a
clever one, Is exceedingly Ingenious and entities
the work TO rank among those piquant caprices OF
the palette which instantly delude the uneducated
eye into elevating them into works OF genuine art.