New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-03
UARY.
SIR EDWIN LANDsEER, II. A.


All cultivated men of the English race. aye,
and many not cultivated, but with only eye and
mind to enjoy the truth OF nature in work Of art will
hear with regret that Landseer Is dead He IS dead nc
advanced age step beyond the Psllmst's limit, but
the mind and the hand that were early ready ana
eager take hold lifefOr the animal painter
began to exhibit when he only II years old-had
ceased from their fine employment long before the so
called day Of death arrived. What the cause Of the
decay that overlook the artists faculties, or IN lust
what form that decay betrayed itself. we do not
know but for some time before his death he
had produced nothing worthy of his reputation.
indeed, the appearance Of his in the later
catalogues OF the Royal Academy Exhibition
has been an event DO regretted But it was hard to
believe that the day could when the fact that
Landseer had picture the exhibition would not be
cause Of cougratuaton all lovers of art. Since the
year Of his first exhibited picture down to very recent
period he has held place one Of the BEST If not
indsputaby the BEST Of animal painters living. Hts
only rival IN our day has been Rosa BEhodr aud per
haps in certain points she might be allowed TO dispute
his prominence But in the variety, no less than in tho
thor0ushness Of his artistic learning in his sense Of
humor aud in his technical slun Ltndseer
so far excced the clever and spirited French woman
that there could not be admitted any real comparison
between them. In one respect, however they were
curiousy equal Nehero f them could paint the human
face; but Rosa Bouheur knows her inability. and avoids
far possible, the necessity Of betrIyng il, while
Landseer repeatedly hurt pictures that would otherwise
have been among his best by putting human figures into
them His dogs and horses always made his and
women look like inferior beings
Landseer wac the son OF engraver who stood high
his profession aud he enjoyed excellent opportunities
for study. He escaped by good fortune the d,adenng
influence OF the Academy. and IN the free fields, under
his fathers wise and kindly eye, he learned the
how TO translate nature to the human heart He be.
IN Of his tWO brOt hprs
Thomas and Charles well known IN the art-w Ord
Charles as painter, and Thomas as an en-.
grayer, among modern engraycrs one Of the
most accomplished. Under the influences thai
thus naturally surrounded him. ne developed
all his artistic faculties and learned all his pow
er IL is his praise, that he knew and respected his
own limitations. and rarely ovorsteppod them. II u.s.
however TO deal in attery TO say that Landseer
sculptor. that all the varieties OF art familiar ia
him. Misled by ignorant public estimate Of his abil
ties and perhaps mised by his own estimate. he
msOOk himself far to consent 10 make the couch
ant lions for the pedestal of the Nelson Monument 10
Trafalgarsquare. II was not his fault, suppose.
that English love Of England's once all-worshiped
hero showed itself grown thrifty with time. and saved
deal or money by making all the four lions alike but
would have been eXcusable stnginess II the
lion had been good Unfortunately, all the world
admits this not the case, and Landseer's ab
ty sculptor failed Of q signal opportunity 20 assert
are sculptured lions OF the desert LanGseers lions
tame casts from the tame lions OF the biological
Gardens.
Nor is Landseer always satisfactory painter Of amt
mails often troubles by making his bru,es carica
lures OF humanity. His humor took that too fire.
quently, and many picture in which excellent draw
ing good local color admirably rendered texture, OF hide
or wool, pIGmage, might have produced their full Of
feet OF unaoyed pleasure. hurt, spoiled by the
obtrusion OF this defect When Landseer painted without
this within. he easily carried the best Judges captive.
and it was possible admit that he could have
superior Indeed It was pleasant to find the French
whose foibe lit IS DO too fond oinSserting their
premacy IN all the arts admitting that they had
to match with Landseer at his best They smiled
American enthusiasm for Rosa Bonheur and believe
the lady herself accepted Loyalty the second placei
Landseer's work is thoroughly English, alike in its
excellences defects. The very his talent
took shows English feeling. since people arS SO
unafectedly fond OF dogs and horses and game Then
to magnatIve folk, his matterOfa humOr. his
crude sentiment welltted, and pleasing DOtn tho
educated with his finer qualities and the uneducated
with his more easily taking characteristics, he enjoyed
an immense popularity. lie we'll deserved his place in
the worlds estimation. His art thoroughly healthy
and humane.
Landsecr born 1902 1908, for authorities differ.
He the youngest OF the late Ohm Landseer.
4. X. A. associate engraNer to the Royal Academy.
Many OF his finest pictures. among them " The Ola
Shepherds Chief MUurner," 10 which Ruskin has PAID
eloquent tribute OF admiration, In the sheep.
shanks collection at South Kens ngton. All hls oief
VINO III proud admiration OF his sons work put MS ost
skill into Their reproduction, some or them nt MS
brother Thomas. He himself produced many etohlnHs
which rank among the best OF their Kind