The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-08
Art and Artist Life
in France.
What Our Painters and
Sculptors Are Doing.
A VISIT TO AMERICAN STUDIOS.
Paris as an Art Centre-Life in
the Latin Quarter.
PARIS. NAV Ia 1874

There are about seventy-nve Americans who are
either artists or art students going through the
schools in Paris. The art atmosphere. or standard
of work. Is perhaps higher here than in any other
European city. That Is TO say, the aims and en-
deayors OF the students are more serious. and
artists already well advanced in their profession
have opportunities OF comparing themselves with
masters Of their craft who IN no sense inferior
TO them.
Among the most prominent American artists at
present in Paris may be mentioned
Mr. d. r. KNIGHT,
in whose studio | saw an unfinished picture OF
great PROMISE which he has entitled Captivity
1t Is very carefully studied and seriously painted.
The epoch chosen by Mr.. Knight Is that OF Louis
XIV, and the architecture, draperies costumes and
accessories all true TO the period. The subject
delineated In this picture Is q young brunette
beauty In Vatican costume who is seated at an
open window and gazing abstractedly out at the
free world beyond. melancholy expression
enhances the lovely lace OF the girl, and her
delicate complexion is well contrasted with that OF
n wrinkled, yellow old duenna standing behind,
savagely but coldly keeping guard. The girl is
surrounded by flowers and pet birds, and she
seems to have all she could sigh for except lib
erty. Technically the painting may be described
Ms broadly executed and highly finished The color
Is rich, mellow and refined, the composition SIM
pie and pleasing, the drawing correct and the
modelling good. In the rendering of the textures
o. nesh, silks, stone work and foliage the artist has
succeaded IN giving each its individuality. Gap
tivityn Is far the best unfinished picture have
seen In any American studio this year, and Mr..
knights genius as painter is subject OF general
md respectful mention in Parislan circles. i no
ticed, also, In his studio two charming little pic
tures-one entitled Evening" and another ''The
tina btph
ind coloring
Mr.. Henry Bacon's picture Of IA Rainy Day at
Barbzon" stands next upon my list Barbzon Is
OF the favorte artist haunts near Fontaue.
bleau, and MIR. Bacon has SHOWN how they amuse
themselves In wet weather while waiting for o
God light. The dining room OF a local tavern,
with its mixture OF rude and fashionable furni-
ture. and crowded with artists, who have become
noisy because they were bored beyond endurance,
is the scene chosen by NJ. Bacon. He has painted
one artist playing piano accompaniment to hts
own singing. rival blows on a hunting norm an
air which is probably different, for dog. who is
present, apparently in critical capacity, bowls
icismal remonstrance; and two handsome girls,
prettiy dressed in blue and gray, stop their ears
10 what is doubtless awful .'row.u The COM
position Of this study is natural and the picture
a GI OF character, expression and skiiu painting
understand that most Of the heads are hkenesses
oi resident American artists. so that MIR. Bacon's
picture will some day have high historical value
Ike has invented also some capital shooting coats
and CATERS. Indeed. the artist's costumes are
done with kindly spice OF humor very bold and
genial.
MIR. Ward, Of New York. brother of. O. A. Ward,
the sculptor, is pushing steadily ahead. In the
competition for places at the government school
last TALL Mr. Ward was admitted second among
nearly 800 competitors. He has several good pic
lures In
THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF DESIGN.
Mr.. Charles Dyer. OF Chicago, is still in the East
but is expected back in Paris. He is exercising
his brush meantime on interiors. His Venetian
studies spoken OF by competent judges as par
ticularly good.
Mr.. Baird, OF Chicago has been lately devoting
his chief attention to landscape and animals
while his spare time Is given to designing on wood
for English and French periodicals.
Mr.. Wyatt Eaton is steadily progressing, and has
nearly completed the best picture he has yet
painted. 1t is group from French peasant life,
and represents young mother proud OF her crow
ing baby. The head OF an old woman, probably the
chiio's grandmother Is perhaps the strongest
point OF this excellent painting.
Mr.. Charles Dubois, OF New York, who has left
many pleasant recolectlons behind him. returned
o visit to his native city, where he has two
large landscapes In the Academy OF Design. These
speak plainly OF his talent and industry that it
would be superfuous to write oil them while Ameri-
cans can Judge OF their merit for themselves.
Mr.. Walter Blackman, oil New YORK; though pro-
fessionaly a landscape painter is one OF the most
indefatigable students at Gerome's. He has put
picture making aside while IN Paris and confines
himself solely TO stuuies.
Mr.. Welsh OF Philadelphia is doing some excel
lent black and white portraits In the intervals Of
his studies at Bounat's studio.
Mr.. Tracey, OF California, has recently taken a
studio In the Rue de Chercne Midi and is under
stood to be working bravely be is enrolled as a
pupil OF Caroius Duran, and Is busy with large
Californian subject representing the discovery OF
the Yosemite Valley, where party OF the first
settlers are pursuing body Of flying indians. Mr..
Tracey Is the representative OF Western art In
Paris and his picture is worthy OF his reputation
Messrs. Love, Weir, Daentrey, Lowe, Daplyn and
Beckwith, all
STUDENTS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF DESIGN
are drawing. painting and composing from the
model and from nature, as earnestly as their most
enthusiastic friends could desire. This list, which
fear viii be at best but incomplete, would be I'M
pardonably so, without honorable mention OF Mr..
John 0'Bren Inman, Mr.. Ginoux, Mr.. Van Schalk,
all OF New York, and OF Mr.. May, also OF New York,
who is the Oldest American resident artist In Paris.
and who has attained very high celebrity as a his
torical painter
Mr.. Champney, Mr.. White and Mr.. Way, all Of
Boston, claim likewise handsome notice; and Mr..
Tom Gaylord must be named as young American
artist OF the iaires promise. To the names OF the
American stuoents, too, should be added those OF
Mr.. vok, OF Chicago; Mr.. Pardessus, Of New York;
Mr.. Arthur, OF Philadelphia, ana MIR. Mansfield of
New York. from every one Of wnom much Is ex-
pected. Indeed, IL Is not going too far say that
nil the artists In Paris ieel the influence oil
heairny ana bracing art-atmospnere.
Among the works OF American sculptors in Paris
I have to mention Iuli length nude female
6gure by Mt. Howard Roberts, young gentleman
of Philadelphia. The subject il
THE MODELS FIRST SITTING
beautiful girl is shrnkingy devoting herself to
che requirements OF art. She has naturally fallen