The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-01

MoRAN's MOUNTAIN OF TIE HOLY CROSS"
At schaus' art gallery the best work OF Mr..
Thomas Moran Is on exhibition. IL is without
question the greatest painting produced so far by
an American artist: not one or those canvases
that are given Fictitious value by the pufery OF
friends but which come TO Us modestly and I'M
neraIded from the easel OF man OF true merit.
"Tne Mountain OF the Holy Gross" which Mr..
Moran has selected the subject OF his picture Ia
situated IN the heart or the Rocky Mounts OF
Colorado, on the Pacific slope Of the range. It's
very appropriate and poetic name was given by
the old spanish missionaries who penetrated these
ranges TO ChristianiZe the Indians long before
the settlement OF the Western states, ana was
suggested by the very per eet cross formed by the
two great crevioes high In the face or the mountain
running nearly at right angles and filled with per-
petual snow. 1t is seen on the face OF peak ris-
ing $4,000 feet above the level OF the sea, and yet
is visible but from few points in the region. In
the summer OF 1874 this romantic spot was visited
by Mr.. Moran and some OF his friends when he
made the study for the present picture. Although
this work is from the easel OF an American artist
1t does not properly belong to the American
school, Mr. Moran Is evidently close student
ana this work shows q follower OF the great
Calame, whose style IL approximates closely.
1t has all the excellent qualities OF
that masters work, ana will give Mr.
Moran 'front.' place among the living
masters. With a scene SO picturesque as the wild
dell. with its rushing torrent bound In by huge
mountains, for subject, an artist very much in
ferior TO MIR. Moran could have made in
terestine and striking picture. and It is, there
FORE almost unnecessary TO say that the picture
under review possesses these qualities IN very
high degree indeed. We prefer, then. to dwell
upon the technical excellence or the work. which
Is Its most pleasing and surprising feature.
mass OF moss covered rocks in the foreground and
pool OF dark water little out OF the way OF the
nerce rushing torrent and in strong contrast
with 1t are painted with admirable truthuness.
Close study Is every where shown. The texture or
the ROCKS has been most happily rendered and we
cannot call to mind piece or foreground painted
with more correctness and crce than are displayed
in this canvas. The same care Is evident through
the whole picture, and the different rocky forma-
tons are clearly indicated. The form and local
color OF the mountains have been well preserved,
SO that each point IN the picture has distinct
individuality, but thoroughly narmonized IN the
composition. We would very much like TO see this
So endid painting become the property Of some
public institution. 1t is offered for sale &c a price
which, considering Its intrinsic value, is ridlcu-
lousy small Should 1t go into the hands or a pr-
waite collector the public viii be deprived OF a work
art taste among our people, who are only too
ready to run after art which IL merely sensa-
tloual-tnat In a few years will SINK back into the
insignlncance from which 1t ought never to have
emerged.