The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-03
The Rossiter Pictures.

These pictures, to which reference was made
few days ago. will be exhibited to-day, tomorrow
and on Wednesday, at the Clinton Hall salerooms,
Astor place, and not at the Art Rooms SIT Broad
way. During these three days the exhibition wilr
be open day and evening. Comment has already
been passed upon some of the larger paintings,
such as 1.-THE Jews in Captivity" ''The Home OF
washington After the War" ana "The Merchants
OF Am erica," and due reference was likewise made
to "Charity, or Christ on the Tuesday Of Passion
Week." Among the more salient of the other
works are "Types and Temperaments," Miriam
Exulting in the Destruction of Pharaoh's Hosts,n
"Noah and his Family Awaiting the Return OF the
Dove" "Sgning the Constitution" 'srhe Dis
cOverers OF America" and 1.-THE Prince of Wales at
the Tomb OF Washington" All OF these are
by the late Mr.. Rossiter, and some OF them
are extraordinary specimens Of his sympathy
with the historic and heroic ''Types and Tenn
peraments" Is picture containing twelve female
figures, representative, the title implies, or va
riOus orders Of beauty Most of the varieties that
range between brunette and blonde are expressed
with delicacy and force. On the extreme left Of
the composition serene and serious brunette plays
upon harp. On the lett sit two girls with eX-
ceedingly light golden hair and one with locks OF
rich auburn. The gOlden-haired beauty rests on
an elbow. Beside her, still proceeding toward
IL,
with arms folded. In the background are four
figures standing. One OF these plays timbrel and,
looks back with hall-turned head. or the remain
ing three, two stand erect together, gazing ntenty
on the dark-skinned harp player, who appears to
furnish the Keynote of interest TO the picture. On
the extreme right rest two beauties, one fair and
the other dark with eyes turned in the direction OF
the musician. Just before them sits brunette, one
hand supporting her head, the other clasping o
scroll OF paper and reposng on her knee. She
gazes lntently before her. In the middle fore
ground is beautiful girl with bare feet, her back
III Wis oil Vnsrn
nuty and taste are felt in the disposition OF these
figures. and II any great fault be perceptibe 1t is
found IN the want OF sufficiently strong individu-
In miriam" the warlike ecstasy OF the principal
figure Is the most remarkable trait. The hour de-
llneated Is that indicated in the twentieth and
twenty-hrst verses OF the fifteenth chapter of
Exodus :-'And Miriam, the prophecies, the sister
OF Aaron, took q tmbrel in her hand and all the
women went out after her with tmbrels and with
dances. And Miriam answered them, Sing We to
the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriOusly; the
horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea.n
The artist, however, has furnished Miriam with
cymbols instead of q tmbrel, perhaps because
produced. she stands, like q Jewish Joan dare, on
rock Syerhansing the sea- In which the pershing
tation stern low nos auatcism are gnu
depicted In ''N0ah and his Family one OF the
largest pictures IN the saesroom. are nine figures,
back inviting, with outstretched hand, at
tentlon to the returning dove: Beside
are two groups. One Of these is composed Of
Noah's wife, Shem, Shem's wife and Japheth. They
occupy the lett OF the picture, and their looks
liked, with expressions ranging between fear and
amaZement, upon the returning dove. The other
group comprises Ham, HAMS wife, the wife OF
Japheth and little child; all are more less
gagged in looking at tie show in the cloud" One
OF the partitions OF the Ark is supposed to be re-
moved, and the family gaZes with mingled emotion
upon the withdrawing waters. On Noah's right
stands Shem, apparently amazed and terrified. At
his feet crouch his mother. his wife and his brother
Japheth. His wife shades her eyes with her hands,
interested ana anxious. On Noah's left stands
Ham, facing him, with both hands raised. At
HAMS feet sit his wife and the wife of Japheth, the
first lifting her hands In supplication, the other
apparently directing observation TO the rainbow.
child nestles near, with lamb curlcd beside him.
-'Signing the Constitution" OF course, places its
locality In independence Hall, Philadelphia The
hour selected for illustration is when the members
have lett their seats after the close OF business
James Wilson Is In the act OF signing while George
Ciymer, Roger sherman, George Reed and John
Dickinson stand by; Robert Morris. seated is
talking to Mlnlin and Fitzslmmons: while behind
John Rutledge sits George Wythe, who, 1t will be
remembered, did not sign. In the centre are dis
covered Hamilton and Madison talking together.
Franklin, near the left foreground, In directing
Governor Norris attention to the effgy behind
Washington. There are about fifty figures in all,
each suggestive oproioundy interesting historical
associations.
''Ihe DISCOVERIES OF American groups, under
their respective national standards, the principal
navgators, from Columbus to Hendrick Hudson.
who contributed to the discovery OF various impor-
tant portions OF the Continent OF America. 1t is
clever piece OF historic generalization.
We must conclude with reference to 'The
Prince OF Wales at the Tomb OF Westinghouse
subject Impressive from its associations and
touched with something Ike sanctty account
OF the majestic virtues Of the great man to whom
the best in all succeeding time have paid tribute
Foreign Art Notes.
Mr. HodgsOn is engaged on three Of those
Oriental subjects in which he has lately been SO
successful