The New York herald., 1873-01-31
ART MATTERS.



In the paintings which are to be exhibited during
the week ending next Wednesday at the Leavitt
Art Ro0ms-and which, by the by, are supple
mented by q unique collection OF engravings, etch-
ings, antique furniture arm0r, bronzes, books
brOcades, draperies and costumes-is to be found
than the usual variety of excellent and inter-
esting works. The entire array is TO be disposed
OF at auction on Wednesday, Thursday Friday and
Saturday evenings OF next week. Meanwhile, to
confne ourself to the pictures. 1t may
be mentioned that these include seventy-seven
photographs ana engravings, rare sketches in oil
and drawings thirty-six oil paintings, thirty
studies for series OF portraits OF the merchants OF
New York. series OF scenes illustrating the life OF
Christ, several works OF historical value to any
American and twenty engravings In frames. A tour
Oh the gallery yesterday gave an opportunity for
attention to be directed on the following works.
''The Jews In Captivity" is by many considered
one OF Mr.. ROssiter's most powerful and boldly
characteristic Efforts 1t represents jeremiah re-
hearslng his lamentations to the prophets and
chief captains at Babylon. The theme is of course
suggested by the 137th Psalm, beginning "By the
rivers OF Babylon, there we sat down, yea,
we wept when we remembered Zion We hanged
our harps upon the willows In the midst
thereof" The prophet jeremiah is the chief
actor. Baruk, his SCRIBE sits just below
him, and Habbakuk IL on the other side. The
figure occupying the foreground is Ezekiel. The
figure at whose feet the crown rests, on the right
side OF the picture, is Jehoiachin, and Daniel is
discoverable quite near. Behind Jehoachin is
Zedekiah, and behind Zedekiah the chief OF the
eunuchs who had charge OF Daniels education.
The picture Is at least twelve feet by sx and con-
tains thirty-two figures. On the extreme left
child and an adult, their backs turned toward us,
are represented standing upon an eminence over
looking the "waters OF BaDylon,n lit by the early
moon. jeremiah has his head bowed and his eyes
half closed The vast majority OF the figures ex.
press different shades Of detection and melancholy,
brought into contrast with the self-un-
conscious innocence and gaiety OF three chill
women embrace each other In mutual dependency;
mother, forgetful Of her babe, gazes before her
IN moody distraction, and the right of the picture
is occupied by various figures literally changing
their harps on the Willows"
"The Home Of Washington After the War" is
large picture which contains excellent portraits OF
Lafayette, Washington, Mrs. Washington and her
daughter-in-law Mrs. Stuart, formerly Mrs. Parke
Custls. 1t will be remembered that General La
fayette visited Washington ut Mount Vernon in the
August OF 17S4 and spent fortnight under his
roof point In the period is chosen for illustra-
ton. Lafayette stands with his left hand resting
on the back of chair, holding behind him in his
right hand newspaper-the Pennsvlcania Gazette.
He regards Washington. with q look of
serious and gentle difference. The first Presi-
dent stands with his arms so lightly folded
to n allow him to employ his open right
tenance indicates an uneasy inward debate and
the CHARACTERISTIC placidity Of his features is
rendered with great frmness. A colored nurse
and child engage each other on the edge of the
sward Just outside the pOrtico and Mrs. Washing
ton and MIS-. stuart are arranging flowers, while
another child nestleS beside them. The landscape
is painted by Mignot
The size OF "The Merchants Of America" also by
Mr. Rossiter Is nine feet by sixteen. There are
thirty-two lfe-siZe portraits on the canvas many
OF them portraits OF merchants who have died since
he work wss IN 1851 The are prob
adon than the hall OF the Historical Society OF this
city or of the Long Island Historical Society, in
glance to all familiar with the original are those
Of William H. Appleton, James Brown,
James Ke Mcses Go0PT feesS
Perrit, Robert b. Minturn, Albert Galiatn, Jona-
than Goodsell, George Peabody, Alexander Dun
John Sturgis, William b. ogden and General Sher-
man. This picture Is one OF the most interesting
city, illustrating as 1t does council Of merchant
princes, and embracing in one wonderful whole
what might be called portraits in political
There is quite valuable series Of scenes in the
life OF Christ The series Is incomplete; originally
| comprising only six In finished stage. There are
| twelve others In an advanced state, however. One
OF the most powerful is CHARITY" or Christ on the
| Tuesday OF Passion week. 1t was intended as
study for large picture and contains at least one
hundred figures. each Of which may be studied
charity are shown in all their picturesqueness
and the types OF Jewish human nature
extant at the time Of Christ are well
pulsed and brow beaten; the Scrbes and Pharisees
| pluming themselves on their prayers and tithe-
| Rivng the gdTnfnS OF Jerusalem "chafflngn each
| other, and in contrast with an Ethiopian inter-
loper; the dsdaInfu high priest and the dust-biting
suppliant; long Dives and writhing Lazarus; q
and led by widowed mother; rich caskets and
| merchandise borne by dark-skinned servitors
| higging merchants and hemeted soldiery-all
| these find expression on the canvas and are COM
bined into wOndrOusly varied and contrast-brlm-
| ing whole.
These pictures are worth returning to more than
| once again, and we shall do so, in order to make
| further remarks concerning 'rhe Prince Of Wales
| at the Tomb OF Washington" TYPES and TEN
| OF Pharaoh's Hosts" "Noah and His Family Await
| ing the Return OF the Dove" 'Signing the Consti
tution,n "The Discoveries OF America J" and several
| smaller but exceedingly meritorious works.