Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-04-16

In the death of William Won Kaulbach,
the art world suffers an irreparable loss.
He was one of the most versatile, indus
trious, original and careful painters of
modern times, and was fortunate in liy
ing to enjoy the rewards OF fame that
will carry his name down to the latest
times as perhaps the foremost painter of
the nineteenth century-certainly one
of the greatest representatives OF art
during that period Kaulbach was born
at Arolsen, in the principality of Wal
deck, in 1906 In his seventeenth year
he entered the Dusseldorf Academy of
Arts, and presently became the favorite
pupil of Cornelius, whose genius GER
tainly left its ineffaceable stamp upon
the young artist, though he came in
time to excel his great master. His
first important productions are thought
to be six symbolical figures, the
best known of which is Apollo
Among the MUSES." In strong
contrast to these ideal conceptions was
THE Madheuse," executed in thor
oughly realistic manner These works
gave Kaulbach a wide reputation. He
was induced to settle in Munich by King
Ludwig, whose ambition to make the
political capital Of Bavaria the center Of
art and literature, drew to that city some
of the most famous of the German paint
ers and sculptors. Kaulbach was first
employed in decorating the palace OF
the Duke Macmillan, which he did in
sixteen frescoes, illustrating the fable of
Psyche and Cupid, and executed in the
purely antique, In 1887 he completed
his picture of the Battle of the Huns,"
which represented ghostly combat In
mid air of the souls of the Huns and
Romans who had fallen before the walls
OF Rome. His greatest historical paint
ing is undoubtedly the Destruction
of Jerusalem by Titus" which he
completed in l847. "The Tower Of Ba-
bel" is another great composition. No
one who has visited the Pinacothek at
Munich has failed to study his series of
frescoes representing the history of art
since the Renaissance. His illustrations
of Schiller, Goethe's Faust and female
characters, and Reineke Fuchs, are toll
erably familiar in this country. his
famous cartoon of The Reformation,
which carried off the grand prize in the
Paris Exposition of 1867, was afterwards
purchased and brought to this country,
and this aside from his exquisite though
not very original picture OF Charity, the
property OF Mr.. Probasco, is the only
considerable work Of the great master in
America. Kaulbaeh, in addition to his
historical and ideal paintings and Illus
trations, painted multitude of portraits,
especially during the latter years of his
life. His studio in Munich was the
resort of art pilgrims from all guar.
ters Of the world. The spacious rooms
we're filled with the fruits of his
genius-innumerable sketches, designs,
half finished pictures, drawings in pen
ell, outlines, and all that goes to make
up an artists study. He received his
visitors with great afability, and in ad-
dition to the works visible, frequently
exhibited the treasures of his portfolio.
He was especially attentive to Ameri-
can tourists and travellers, who came
with suitable introductions, and seemed
to be greatly gratifed that he could
reckon among his most enthusiastic ad-
mirers the cultured citizens Of the Great
Republic. Like all men of great genius,
Kaulbach seemed in his address and
conversation wholly unconscious of its
possession. There was hardly a more
unpretending or unreserved man in
Munich. and no one left his studio with
ont feeling the charm Of his kindly man
ner and pleasant conversation. The
world will now unite to do honor to the
memory Of the great painter.