New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-06-10
THE UNIVERSAL EXHIBITION.
THE ART COLLECTION.

v,vxNA. May 20.-The art collections of the Exhi-
hi,ion are like all the other departments open, and
vet not entirely visible. There is a semblance of
completeness with the nearest approach to 1t
which appears in any department, but which Is still
90 far from inahty that not much more than half of
the pictures are shown The arrangement of the
galleries is excellent and in conformity with
the general idea Of geographical distribution,
except that, as the building hes nearly north aud
south England as the extreme Western nation
represented begins the series nOTthward, and Hun
gary ends it. Russia not having any distinct collec-
ton and no American picture being hung. may be
premature in saying that Russia has distinct col
lection rs there mysterious chambers yet to be
opened where hammers and voices of unseen work
men may be preparing surprises for us and as there
is catalogue made out yet, and the pictures are
not even labeled numbered, we groDe along reiy-
ing on moral consciousness" or previous knowledge
of art for all the direction get One OF the blessed
privileges connected with the position here, and
which 20 Mr. and Mrs. jenkins. Is compensa-
ton for Vienna high prices and discomfort,
bad climate and sitting dust out of the
Exhibition and weary hours in It, Is that OF
meeting emperors and princes, kings and queens,
arcbdukes and ducheses, face to face and like COM
mon mortals These people are met In the Art
building with much greater frequency than IN the
main Exhibition where space is enormous and
and trophies niue peopc IIOlu te'O OtuOA'
In the narrow passages about the jewel cases you
might elbow a princess without knowing It, and
pass ung six feet away, unconscious OF the felicity
which had befallen you; but in the rOomy saloons
Of the Art Hail you may look at a picture with an
emperor, hear his sublime criticisms, watch the
satisfaction and reprobation pass over the imperial
eountenance in alternating phase, and be electro
plated with wisdom aud greatness at less expense
than ever before happened to any jenkins from our
side Of the Atlantic.
At the formal opening Of the galleries which took
place on the 18th, the Emperor appeared in most
transformations manner, made the rounds Of the rooms
with those of US who happened to be there without
ANY kind Of reference 10 the imperial presence
being required OF given except a request 70 those
present not TO obstrnct his way and al IN the room
except those in immediate contact with him
very senbly acted as if there were 10 one present
but unknown visitors kept their hats on and talked
and looked at the pictures with other reference
20 the Chief Of the State than TO give him the space
required No police there 10 protect him, and
be appeared 10 enjoy being allowed 10 pay his
respects to art without annoyance or ceremony The
other royal and imperial personages here have fol-
owed his cOmmon-sense precedent, and a constant
visitor 70 the galleries might have al of them
with the same freedom.
The Salon d HonReur confirms some notable ex-
lmples of nearly all the continental schools huge
picture Of Wiertz the Battle of the Angels, occu
pies the entFe of one side. 1t is daring compost
hon, ~ feet high, in which souvenirs of Michael
Angelo and Rubens mingled with good deal OF /
imaginative power and the greatest executive |
ability which any man since Rubens has been able /
10 display; but the picture, undeuiaby great work /
and Of genuine artistic temper Is not IN accordance
with modern requirements or motive. 1t is coarse
in color himsy in its painting, and not TO be COM
rvlaflrn II
bens. either in knowledge Of the figure, refinement !
Of drawing or purity in quality of color 1t is filed
with figures Of good and bad angels in struggle; |
huge serpents rear themselves from vapOrous !
abyss in futile defiance Of the lightnings that ram
down on them and the artillery of rocks that tOppe
over and plunge from the nights above. There Is |
an immense hubble and energy of action; the nearer
figures of falling rebels Of colossal size, drawn
with great daring and a mighty brush; but as
whole it seems scarcely more complete than when
saw it and the artist at work twenty years ago.
and was told that it had Just been laid in, in SIX
weeks. It has still the look Of first painting IN
which the solid parts lack soldty aud the shadows
lack purity - al artistic phenomenon rather /
than a result of genuine art, which Is shown
not 50 much in great conception and intention as IN
complete achievement. Opposite is a plafond OF
Cabanel, nearly as large and even more timsy-to
my mind less satisfactory because less earnest and
less imaginative. 1t represents-judglng without
catalogue-Aurora a whirl of flying figures. the
center Of which is a chariot mounting into the en-
pyrean, while the lower part Of the space IS filed
with Hydrologic figures. 1t looks like poor
emulation in oil Of a frescO-washy, thin, aud cha
0tc. and in general effect like haf-upe water
Snelon cut open leugthwise.
Occupying another wall Of this salon is Piloty's
great picture The Triumph of Germanicus an IN
tensely German work in every element, and one
which perhaps embOdies more completely the faults
and merits of the TeutOnic art schools than any
other here. The Emperor sits on high throne at
the right center of the picture surrounded by his
attendants and Senator'S while the procession passes
before him. led by group consisting Of Roman
soldier, dragging bard by his long gray beard,
and restraining, with the other hand a bear
which tugs sullenly at the ring in his nose,
to which the cord is attached Three defiant
and superb barbariaDs come next under yoke,
and another soldier drags them on with brutal
derislOn, against which the mute wrath of the fair
haired giant whom he fortunes is a dramatic pro-
test and, If his hands were unclaimed, menace Of
revenge. The left corner Of the picture is filed
with pile Of arms and two bards one apparently
dead over whose head is wrapped his hood bound
with oak leaves while the other attempts to raise
himself as the wife Of his chief passes In the CEN
ter, Thusuelda just passing the foot Of the steps
leading TO the throne, throws her head back and
draws herself up TO her full hight with air and
gesture Of the most intense indignation, while
his young son-a robust, handsome, barbaric
little fellow, whose eyes fash at some
insult-gathers his mothers robe around
HIM for protection and cngs the closer to her hand.
Two Roman juveniles at the other side shrieking
some opprobr1um at the silent dignity that marches