The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-18
ART MATTERS,



Last evening, at the SOmervile Art Gallery, a
private view was given of the pictures constitute
ing the fourteenth annual exhibition OF the ARTISTS
Fund Society OF New York. The annual exhibition
OF this society is distinguished for two things
viz, the excellence OF its motives and the malig-
nifty with which those motives are misrepresented
by disafrected few. Last year. we remember,
precisely the same charges were made in regard to
it as have been made this year, and with quite as
little foundation. Those charges aver that sOmes
OF the painters contributing pictures do SO as q
neat speculation for themselves rather than IN aiG
Of the families OF destitute artists and coDtrve in,
that way to make q good deal more money for
their own pockets than goes into the pockets or
those who need II more. Now, IT is mistak0
to suppose that when picture sells for more than,
500 the fund receives none OF the surplus, and
when two pictures are contributed by one ARTIST,
that the fund receives none Of the proceeds of the
second picture. The good which has been accom-
piished by this association is Sufficient guarantee
that it has nothing to conceal-an assurance
which the presidency OF Mr.. r. W. Hubbard and
the secretaryship OF MIR. Alexander Laurie server
further to ratfy. Last evenings view brought to-
hight about eighty pictures, and pleasant ASSEM-
blage OF ARTISTS, cOnnolsseurs, amateurs and jour-
nalists, who mingled criticism and euogy with
those graceful pieasantries OF speech and manner
which are never SO graceful as when sponta-
counter. We do not know why an exhibit
ton Of this Kind should be considered
exempt from criticism because the object is
charitable 1t Is true that charity covers
multitude Of sins. 1t also true that the worst
sins one conceals are sometimes those which he Z.
hides under the name OF being charitable. II ar
lists contribute to this fund at all they ought to
put forth all their strength, and not rest content
with mean and careless work. as many OF them
TOO often do. But then there are bright excep-
tons, and upon these II Is pleasant to dwell Guy
contributes the lace OF young country boy, be-
meath whose torn hat CLOVIS set Of rudy and
ingenious features, almost too refined Tor the SUBJ
Ject, but preserving an air OF decided ruatcity.
There are one Or two dreamy and peaceful land
scapes by CASTELAR,, ana one by Huntington equally
characteristic Wnlttredge and SOnntag are Well
represented. TAFT has two pictures In his
S Ssst ds ssye' one hunter and
young ones. In two small pictures Julian
Scott makes very pleasant use OF those martial
"reminiscences that have already supplied him with
so many themes. An excellent painting by the
aged Durand helds position near to some finely
painted flowers by Lambdn The careful and
reverent hand Of David Johnson is seen in two
small works representing quiet skies, still waters
and chened rocks. Near the end OF the procession,
which one makes around the gallery from right to-
feet OF vessels IN Turkish port by r. Swain
Clifford. The interchangeable Bricher has two
excellent, marine views Wyant landscape
wherein ''the quiet colored end OF evening smiles,v
and Cropsey view OF the Campagna, fui of the
golden breath OF noon. Among artists less known,
are Robbins, who Is represented by Swiss land
scape; Bristol, with some clever lake ana river
views; r. A smith, who builds yachts Is wen az
paints them; SILVA, with one OF his recently nm
lsned marines the best by HIM that we have seen.
and William Morgan. very general opinion.
however, obtained that two contributions by Mr.
stead" and sunset at queens, Long Island" were
the stars OF the collection. They are by an artist
evlnced in them such decided power and origin
atty as to have made an enviape marx now II
never before The exhibition S wi a remain open
night and day all this week. Inc sale Will take
place Tuesday, January 20.