The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-06-17

','~>- v" sno piaANh VI Gan HufcO 70 90
homage to the ex-queen for her muni6eeni
gift.
The immense canvass Is covered with
forty life size figures, admirably grouped
and distributed, no undue prominence is
given to any particular figure. hence there
is no particular face or pose that il would
be proper to emphasize BY special de-
seription. The merit Of the picture Is in
its entire and symmetrical excellence.
The coloring is rich and varied, in har.
mony with the era and the orient The
face Of the ex-queen as she receives the
floral offerings from the Venetian maidens
is full of the composure Of woman nc.
customed to regal state and tribute, but
equally as full Of benignance and refine.
ment. The expression, varied in every
face, Of the throng Of cultured citizens IS
that of dignifed, graceful, admiration,
and earnest gratitude.
Artists, as rule, appeal to tragedy for
their most splendid effects, as the assassi-
nation of Caesar, the struggles Of the bat
tie field and the arena. Their triumpbs
are often in the deliniation Of historical
and epochal situations in which the effect
is supplemented and heightened by the
sympathy and imagination of the observer.
1t is rare indeed that picture is great
without the aid Of powerful passions, or
thrilling historical events, but through
simple dint Of intrinsic excellence, appeal.
ing with calm, enduring power, to the
most refined emotions.
Another picture that attracts lauch at
tention has the title Of Sans .SouciT' and
IS painted by Joseph Fux of Vienna. An
Italian musician is represented nude from
the waist up, with variety of musical
instruments belted around his loins, hold.
ing bis monkey in his bent left arm while
he sings in the street. The stupid dolce
far 'ieate expression Of the powerful lazy
peasant is an admirable antithesis to the
serious philosophical view of life portrayed
in the ehastened intelligent countenance
Of the superior monkey.
Opposite the first picture described, and
only second to it in estimated value,
$4,000 is painting Of Pan and Bac-
chantes by Felix Fugen Of Vienna. OF
two nude nymphs, one is reclining on the
ground while the other holds a cup Of
wine to.the lips Of bronze statuc Of Pan.
The figures arc life size, Of exquisite grace,
coloring and outline. Many pictures Of
this class are on exhibition but none
think is 50 much admired by connoisseurs.
Another painting, and the smallest |
have yet noticed, is by G. A. Kuntz of
Vienna. The interior Of nuns apart
ment is sunlighted, except by the moon that
streams through the single window before
which she sits, her head resting upon her
hand, gazing silently into the great night
heaven. The serene beauty of the chast-
ened face, and the isolation of the cell, as
it were, on the frontier of the infiuity into
which she gazes make powerfully inn
pressiye and suggestive study. The coun.
tenance has been educated to serenity, the
mind has been exalted by the contempla.
tion Of superior beings and eternal inter
ests, but the strong emotional nature Of
the woman viii clamor silently in spite of
custom and the faintest shadow (perhaps
am mistaken) Of questioning doubt and
discomfort is unmasked to the moon. This
painting is valued at only $500 gold and
will scarcely remain unsold till the end of
the Exposition.
There are one hundred and twenty-eight
paintings in the Austrian collection, and
il is very rare that display 50 large is
found containing SO few pictures that are
not of real merit. Ihave not space in this
letter to more than mention few Of these
and must reserve for future letter fuller
notice. Nearly all the paintings in the
Austrian collection are by yiennese Ar.
lists. There is a Landscape of the Envi-
rous Of Munich, and an Interior Of the
Castle Ruin Jaufers, both by Louisa Won
Permentier paintings Of excellent coloring
and finish that would be quite an aequisi-
ton to the art department Of the Womans
Pavilion, or indeed, to any gallery. Two
pictures Of still life by Max Schode de-
serve a more extended comment than
san now give them.
An after dinner nap of veteran cpl
cure, in his chair, is admirable, and will
most likely bring the price asked, (s60O,)
Il is painted by Charles Ricdel.
Two pictures aPeasant woman OF
lpper Austria, and "a girl Of upper Aus
ria, are specimens evincing close studyof
'har.cteristic types and costumes, they
ire painted BY latte Erneste.
There Is painting Of Cherubs IN Relief
" Fred. Schilcher, the execution Of
which is 50 perfect that the beholder can