The New York herald., 1874-05-17
ART IN FRANCE.
PARIS, April 20, 1874.

ART IN FRANCE.
PARIS April 20, 1874.
had 'private view OF the Salon." or grand ex-
mbition OF pictures in Paris, this morning. IL Is
rather a considerable favor to obtain q private
view OF the Salon before the public Is admitted, and
/ owed my exemption from the rigid rule which
excludes strangers to the
INFLUENCE OF AN AMERICAN LADY.
American ladies seem TO captivate everybody
and to do very much as they please in France, SO
tnat was fortunate in being under such august
protection. The snow OF pictures at the Salon
TINS year is unusually good one; but the Amerl-
can artists who exhibit are not numerous. Indeed
the space at the disposal OF the jury so small in
comparison with the demand upon it, that under
stand upon trustworthy authority, that several
pictures painted both by American and French ar
lists OF established reputation. were necessarily
rejected without any reference whatever to their
merit
This fact is the more to be regretted because
THE FINEST PICTURE IN THE SALON OF 1874
is painted by an American artist resident in Paris
1t is marked No. 767 In the catalogue or rather
will appear beside that number when the cata-
iogue is published, which cannot be for several
days. Its subject is "Cornne''-the Corinne Of
romance immortalized by Nine. de Stael. She
wears u lduTtl WIcdIu duu thc Suuukut 5tTlkeS
upon her shoulder and hand The rest OF the
figure is in shadow. She is dressed IN q dark blue
tunic ana purple mantle and is playing upon an
antique harp of gold. That, as well as the face
is in relief against the sky, which is q
Grecian sky presented with marvellous
fidelity to nature. The figure OF Corlnne
is beautifully drawn and the type or
face is interesting; 1t is grand and somDre love-
illness, yet soft and womanly. Nothing can exceed
the exquisite harmony OF coors In this picture
and Goupil said with French brevity ana precision
when he saw 1t, "Nous sOn,nnes tous erVonces.o 1t
is painted by q charming young American lady
whose name, understand, is
MISS ELIZABETH J. GARDNER. OF NEW YORK.
Another picture by the same artist is of almost
equal excellence though it IS in different STYLE
1t Is numbered 1885, and shows rare skill in por-
trait painting. 1t gives likenesses of two
pretty little children, which would have
done honor to Mile. Jacquemart from
the caretulness OF Its drawing and the
delicate finish Of It's details. They are the chill
dren of Mr.. James Il. Stebbins, an American gen.
tleman, who resides in Paris, and whose gallery OF
pictures Is well known by connoisseurs. The chill
dren are dressed In fancy costumes OF the reign OF
Louis XIV, and they look in Miss Gardner's cau-
vas like animated flowers. The picture is quite q
gem, and there was crowd OF artists round IT,
apparently taking lessons In coorlng The charm
in such little picture, however, Is, Of course the
exquisite felicity OF touch.
Among the other American artists who exhibit
this year
MR.. GEORGE p HEALEY
takes high rank. lie has three pictures of great
merit in the Salon, all portraits, and they repre-
sent the Pope, Minister Washburne ana M. Thiers.
They are vigorous in their drawing and artistic in
fhair tpant NJ Ha haoe tba
olent expression Of Mr.. wasnournes face, and the
kind sincere look of his eyes very faithfully. The
portrait OF Mr.. Washburne Will be sent to Amer
lea. The likeness OF the Pope Is pleasant and
faithful but doubt II Mr.. Healey has succeeded In
making characteristic resemblance OF that mix
ture of oddity and wisdom which makes up the
individuality OF the ex-President OF the French Re.
public.
Mr.. EDWARD II. MAY. OF NEW YORK.
q distinguished artist, who has won the gold
medal in France, appears in the salon this year
with new subject, marked 1,2s2, and called "The
Dreamer,r La ReUeuse. 1t Is extremely graceful
and rich in color. Mr.. May also gives US "a Dead
Communard,r No. 1,2s3; and he has done, per-
haps, the best which could have been done with
an unpleasant theme.
MISS CLEMENTINA TOMPKINs OF WASHINGTON.
has delightful picture in the salon. 1t is marked
No. LIS, and she has called it 'The Little Mu-
sician.r There is q vast deal OF freedom, ease and
humor about the picture.
MR.. FREDERICK A. BRIDGMAN, OF NEW YORK,
exhibits "a Scene in the Pyrenees,r No. 2s1,
which is well and agreeably treated.
MR.. BAIRD, OF CHICAGO,
young artist iull Of talent and promise, has won
the honors Of the Salon for small picture marked
No. 63, representing hen and chickens. It IL
little but good-indeed, a careful ana meritorious
essay, which will be followed by better things.
MISS MARY STEPHENSON CAssATT, OF PENNsYLvA-
exhibits Spanish head (No. 32s), painted with a
great deal OF talent and success. Indeed no work
OF ordinary merit had q chance OF being placed
this year, though undoubtedly pictures OF an In
convenient have been rejected for smaller ones
OF Inferior value.
Ihave not space to deal with the pictures OF
French artists at much length but here Is a brief
summary OF the best paintings exhibited this year
in Paris. Imust take them In the order in which
saw them, and from the memoranda IN my note
book, and not with any reference to the superiority
OF one artist over another.
The first picture. by a French artist which at
tracted my attention was
No. o1. "A Miitary Execution by Emile gavard.
soldier who has just been shot lies hudded up in
heap with his face buried in the ground His
executioners file past the dead BODY with
averted eyes and horror stricken expression.
The atmosphere OF the picture represents the sad
mists OF early morning. There Is q good deal OF
feeling in this painNng, bat the subject is too
mournfu. M. Emile Bayard is engaged as Illus.
traitor to the great publishing house OF Hachette
& Co. he IS one OF the most prominent rivals of
Gustave Dore.
No. 70. IA Garden Scene," BY II. Barron, is a
pretty picture, but somewhat weak.
No. l7a "AR Eastern woman by Boyle, Who