The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-07
ART MATTERS.


No class OF the community has felt more severely
the consequences OF the commercial panic of last
year than the artists. During the past season the
studios have been comparatively deserted, and
even where sales OF pictures have been effected
they have brought little profit. The public only
buy art works in prosperous tmes and only few
wealthy patrons have been able to resist tho
awful monetary crash which frightened every
purse string. The studio buildings look quite
deserted, though the artists are beginning to
brighten up under the influence OF the dawntng
spring and are hard at work getting ready for the
Academy exhibition Adversely seems to have
taught the brotherhood wisdom. and the petty
jealouses which, for some seasons, have prevented
a really representative exhibition OF American
art, are to be laid aside for the common good.
Nothing but friendship and good will are to reign
hereafter. The result Of this happy truce Is visit
BILE in the number Of important works on the vari-
Gus easels which are intended for the Academy.
Every one is resolved to do his best and lend his
most important work ofthe year to the Spring Ex-
hibition, which promises to be thoroughly repre-
sentative. This resolution OF the artists Is proof
OF good sense and q healthy sign that o proper
esprit de corps Is growing up In the profession.
There was much selfishness In the refusal by some
OF the more successful painters to send their best
pictures to the Academy exhibition, and as we
naturally look for something more than mere
money making. worldly wisdom in artist, we
are glad That This cause OF complaint has been
moved. As the Academy exhibitions grow in I'M
portance the popularity Of native art work
will increase. The best way TO check
the growing tendency among art patrons
OF importing their pictures from Europe will be to
demonstrate clearly that in some paths OF art at
least work as good in quality as the majority Of
the pictures brought to this country can be pro-
duced by native brushes. Until the public have
been thoroughly convinced that this can be done
and there is reason why 1t should nOt-pur-
chasers will be prejudiced in favor OF foreign
works, and the studios Will remain as lonely and
neglected as they are to-day.
Some OF the artists give proof Of their earnest de-
sire to merit the patronage OF the public by close
and conscientious work. Among these James n.
Hart holds an honorable place. The success Of his
Coming Out of the Shade" has turned his atten-
ton to landscape ana cattle subjects, which he
endows with deep poetic feeling, the more
effective because the scenes simple and natural.
without any straining after claptrap effect. Mr..
Hart wisely thinks that there is more poetry in
nature than he can manufacture, and tries only to
transfer the spirit OF passages in nature that have
impressed him by their beauty, and hence his sue
cess. "At Rest-Evening" is the title OF q work
now on his easel. 1t represents o group OF cattle
in the foreground OF landscape, reposlng in the
grateful cool OF the evening" The has just sunk
below the horizon and the sky is sufrused with
warm glow which is very charming. The compost
ton of the picture Is careful ana well balanced.
General Sheridan, or, as the people love 10 can
him, "Gallant Phil" Sheridan. has been sitting for
his portrait to Constant Meyer, who just got
through with work before the Sioux troubles called
General Sheridan to the frontier. The portrait
is half length, and is an excellent likeness. Mr..
MEYERS contribution to the Academy will be a
touching composition, entitled "rhe Orphans
Morning Hymn" Two girls In an oratory are in-
toning their prisons, and the morning rays falling
on their handsome faces cast halo over them.
The feeling OF the scene Is very exquisite.
The poetry that dwells in curious gabled Old
manor houses hid away among trees mas quite
fascinated T. A. Smith, and he paints them so as to
impart to others some OF the feelings which these
antiquated old houses call up In himself. Two
companion pictures present TO us "The Old Manor
House," in the days Of Its prosperity in calm even
Ing glow OF the summer tide, and when the winter
SHOWS had given to the curious old gables o fam
tastic appearance in cool wintry moonlight. Both
effects are well and happiy rendered.