The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-23
ART MATT ERS.



New Pictures at GoupiI's Gallery.
Spring, which calls up the dormant life in all
created things, eXerts us influence even IN art
galleries. Old pictures that weathered the cold
looks and shrugs OF winter. tal from the walls to
give place to the iresher studio shoots. Goupils
gallery Ia now in that interesting period OF change,
and new works, fun OF interest, have been added
to collection already remarkable. The European
schools are strongly represented, but there are
pictures painted by resident American artists
which show how much may be done at home, IL
the work be undertaken in the proper spirit.
Among the strong foreign pictures one from the
easel OF P. Jazet which exhibited last year in
the Paris Salon, deserves especial attention frOm
the quality Of the work and the interest which ,
always attaches TO a dramatic story well told.
The artist calls this work IAN Affair OF Honor.'s
1t represents two gentlemen of the seventeenth
century settling dispute with pistols In the cool
morning The place OF meeting is the ditch OF the
Notifications, which loom up gray and solid IN the
background. One Of the duelliss, according to
the Old French code, IS about to fire. His opponent,
who is in the comfortable situation Of being about
to receive the discharge, holds his pistol so as to
protect as much as possible his head and neck.
and is evidently gathering himself up to offer as
small a target as possible to his opponent The
man about to fire is braced up, unnaturally en~
deayoring TO steel his nerves and steady his aim,
as on the issue Of his shot his own life depends.
Removed from the line OF fire, one Of the seconds is
giving the signal and the group watch intentlY
the result OF the shot The incident is most
dramatic and the story Is strongly told. The
clenched hand and unnatural tension OF the figure
OF the man about to fire have been admirably con-
ceved The dramatic action OF the picture Is very
strong. but quiet and impressive. There is not q
trace ensa t,on aism in the work. The oh ar0c-
tiers Of the assistants are well marked, the chief
actors the more concerned and concentrated,
but the In terest of the witnesses Is intense without
being capital. Each face wears different ex-
PRESTON and yet there is something which belongs
to the that is common to all. We see ut once
that whoever is shot will be regretted, but that
the parties viii bow codly and separate as soon
the mornings work is done. This painting is IN
better taste and ranks higher in art than most
duel scenes we have seen exhibited. Other artists
nave selected the moment when the tragedy had
been completed and the real dramatic interest
lost because the issue decided; but Mr.. Jazet,
with truer artistic instinct selects the instant
fore the trigger is puled-that Is to say the poine
where the dramatic interest 10 all concerned has
reached the climax. In second OF time the
ball will be sped. Will the aim be true
1t is the question OF lie or death, ana
hence the dramatic interest of the canvaa
Is rendered most intense. In addition 10 admir-
able composition the picture is painted broadly
and the color laid on solidly. yet every detail Is
carefully worked out 1t Is one OF those pictures
whose value VIII not be affected by change Of
fashion. The work is done on sound principles Of
art and WILL therefore, always be valuable.
Another important French work, "vlve lie Rolra
by Edmond Andre, deserves attention. 1t is an iu-
teresting picture, with the sensational inter-
est or revolutionary pictures. 1t IS very cleverlH
painted and dramatically conceived, but 1t lacka
the quiet power OF Jazet's work. 1t represents
group OF captured royalist ofieers being led OUT
to execution during the Reign OF Terror.
'Timidityr is the title Of q very charming pic-
ture by a resident artist, Sig4pr Vaini. 1t repre-
sents q richly dressed and beautiful girl crossing
q rivulet by plank. The figure OF the lady ID
graceful and u Of charm. bit one feels that there
is a good deal more Of coquetry than fear in her
timidity, which she has evidently assumed. Tha
composition OF the picture is clever and effective.
Slender trees are made to form an arch over the
figure Of the girl, which stands in bold relief her
pink dress telling with great effect on q cold,
luminous background. The scene and figure ara
both American, and furnish ample proof that ar
lists need not wander far from home Tor pleasing
subjects and poetic inspirations.
There il an admirably painted picture by yanut-
tell, representing simple household scene in high
life, gentleman In spanish costume c0nverstn0
with a lady. The subject has nothing to interest,
but the work is so admirably done that II gives ins
terest to the subject. There Is roundness and
soidity In the modelling OF the forms rarely met
with, even In the best pictures, and the color IS
strong and pronounced, but elike as II blood
flowed through the dgures. Nor are the details OF
the tapestry and furniture less carefully strongly
treated, but the whole scene seems 10 stand out
from the canvas. Wales Is represented by q
Moorish picture. "The Juggler," which has much
local color, but Is rather sKetchy In treatment.
Hamon is represented by one Of his strange out.
line pictures, fun of poetry and bad drawing, and
the thinnest kind OF painting, but wthal possessing
much charm and poetic feeling. There are q num>
Der OF other interesting pictures In the gallery
which we cannot spare space to mention, but
enough has been said to show that the spring ex.
hibition at this gallery will be treat to those inc
terested In art. Among the treasures in reserve
are large and powerful Bougnton and Delights
fuI genre piece BY Gerome, In which that masses
makes an efort to snatch Meissonier's laureis.
tie has not quite succeeded, however, but ind
"French Guardsman" he has painted WIZ surprise
those who have looked on Gerome a. an artisa
nearly devoid Of the gut OF color. The new WorH
!: brilliant, but wants Meaaouier's delicacY ID
the color treatment