The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-15
ART IN FRANCE.


VANISHING DAY AT THE PARIS sALoN-PREPA-
RATIoNs FOR THE oPENING-GENERAL AS
PEcT or THE ExHIBITIoN-sALE OF THE
FoRTUNY OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES CRAZY OVER
PICTURES, &C.
PARIS, April 80, 1875.
Yesterday being what the artists call .varnisn-
ing day. availed myself OF the opportunity az
orded me by tue courtesy Of one OF the exhibitors
to obtain preliminary view OF the salon previous
TO its formal opening TO the public Tomorrow
Saturday. Although had previously seen ana
crlrlc the principal pictures, was curious to
udge OF the general effect OF the collection and 10
compare 1t with that OF last year, There - no bet
ter time for a task Of THIS KIND than the day al
lowed the artists for vanishing their pictures for
as only limited number OF persons are admitted
the visitor can move about with freedom ana ex.
anime the works exhibited either close or at
distance, just as the fancy selzes him.
THE FIRST COUP D'oEIL
struck me as favorable The pictures are well
distributed, and there seems 10 be less partially
in the arrangement than usual. As one proof OF
the fairness which has been displayed by those
intrusted with the duty OF hanging them, may
mention that nearly all the pictures OF the Aneri.
can artists who exhibit are on the line and In tue
most favorable light. Thus, the nrst pictures
almost that catch the eye entering are those Of
Ill the advantageous places allotted 10 them. In
my notice, published on the Attn OF April gave
you full details regarding these pictures. Seen n
the flne light o the saloon they confirm all that
said OF them; and one or them, Bridgman's Nile
picture, mas gained so much In briiancy by the
transposition that IL is attracting general atten
ton ID. r. Knights beautiful Landscape, winch
described 10 my former letter, not equally for
tunate. Placed In Juxtaposltton with pictures
49,
ana great portion OF their effect lost. Happily
this cannot De said OF the pictures OF our two lady
artists-Miss Gardner and Miss Tompkins. They
are both vigorous coorlsts, and they lose nothing
In that respect by contrast with their neighbors.
Although | noticed In my former article most oil
tine important works prepared for the exhibition
there are several to which did not have access
when IL was written, from the unwilngness Of the
artists to snow them before they were finished.
Among these is the great picture, great botn in
size and quality, by Becker, an artist OF noble
aims and or great powers OF expression. The sub
iectIs RZpah. the wlie Of saul, protecting against
the birds Of prey the bodies OF her two children
and those Of I'VE sons OF Mlchal, tne daughter oil
saul crucined Dy the Cibeonitesn Tnls, next to
GuStaye DorG's "lnlerno,D Is the most ambitious
picture as regards subject IN the salon and Is, Ia
my opinion, much more iorei0ly treated NOTHING
can be grander than the conception OF the prlncl-
pal figure or holder In treatment IMAM the details
or the picture generally. But am Wahuerlng
into criticism instead oil connnng myself 70 the
Impressions made upon me by tue cohectlon as
wnole. la some respects 1t is Infinitely supe.
TiOr to that OF last year The new works
are more ambitious in tnelr aims and ex'
hlbt less stratntng alter the vice OF elaDora-
uou winch mas been generated by the passion Tor
genre pictures than those OF the last exnibIon
in fact, there put lew works oil tue latter KIND
In the collection, the tendency being IN favor OF
subjects vigorously ana broadly treated Perhaps
the happIest combination OF the two styles--and
wnen found united they generally oner excellent
resuits-is that exhibited IN Jacquets picture, NO
m DlCEure consists n
figure young ana beautiful woman, CLOTHED IA .
long and loose velvet costume, without ornaments
or accessories OF any kind, and every detai 10 u,
10 the slightest fold OF the dress, Is STUDY ~
Itself. Bonnats remarkaoie p ortrah Of m soS.
mer letter is not 70 be compared 10 wonoerluI
realism and at the same tlme picturesque Use'
PORTRAITS.
The portraits with two or three exceptions, are
very poor this year. Dubuie IL lndInerently repre-
senied. Cabanel mas but one picture q tae KIND
not very attractive one-and Nile Nellie Jacq
usual In repdnche there are two beautiful por
traits by Flrmin Grard auu jules Normand, Doll
pleasing ia subject and exqulstey handled
Enough OF the salon for to-day. Tomorrow the
pubic will be admitted to pass lis MAJ upon the
b ana an ne sxpspdtuTs Of hgnal1tn Ian
guage and imagery we shaii nave lor tne next
Fortnight Every frencn % bis pegasns wnsn bs
s'af'S OH ~ THS FoRrrNY COLLECTION.
In the account winch recently gave you Of the
collection belonging 70 the iamuy OF tue tate
Spanish painter fortuny, now being disposed 81
III the sale Drouot, stated that the amount real
Ized would not fall lar snort or $40 Door, Inc re-
suits OF inc four days sales when nave taken
mace and wncn, IL should De observed, do nOi
include the nne collection OF ancient arms and
tapestry, already amount 70 Io9000l. ~ tue time
the catalogue Is gone through the tola VIII De
little snort OF Million But tnls sale Is thrown
nro the shade by the oae wntcn took place at the
Messrs Cnristles, IN London, on Saturday last
wnen ninety-slx pictures 81 the modern English
school brought close upOn CO., 900, Aud yet people
have the lace to talk oil hard times. Tao hardness
| accumulation
hands OF people who nave the heart TO spend such
enormous sums IN the QratlCalIOn Of heir Whns,
while hundreds Of thousands OF tneir fellow crear
tuIea are Starving.