The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-22
THE LONDON ACADEMY.
General Review of the
Exhibition.
Pictures BY American Artists and Other
Notable Works.
Contributions by Boughton Hennessey.
Fisher and Miss Lea.
CuApAnTEp up THE pPQDITCrIQNC
CHARACTER OF THE PRODUCTIONS.

year At tho Royal Academy the 'Daphnepharia" by
Frederick Leighton. Covering canvas OF more than
eighteen feet. noble In design, treatment and exccu
ton, this painting IL very remarkable one Tho
Scenc tbs name indicates, is classical trunphal
procession celebrated every ninth year at Thebes in
honor Of Apollo, 10 commemorate victory OF the
rhebans over the Kolans, n true The leader
tDaphnsphorus, the laurel bearer, youthful priest,
In long white robes. stands somewhat apart claspng
his votive Offering 10 the god. Following him
naked boyA bearing symbolic trophies and tripods,
children and grand female figures chanting the hymn
70 Apollo, the women in attitudes Of bold
gfaco, in oil the abandonment Of religious
and artistic enthusiasm crowned with laurel
wreaths, sweet throated, open mouthed,
empassioned with the Inspiration Of song All these
Agurcs boldly outlined a background Of tho dark
rugged trunks OF row Of elm trees, relieved by
soft fringe OF green undcrbrush, gmpses OF southern
sky Visible beyond, contrast with long, undulating
waves OF Hcecs-whte clouds. No English artist occu-
pics prouder position than
n. LEroHroN
Hs career has been truly admirable All the resources
Of art which be commanded BY tho most eager pnr
suit and pAten, Investigation Of the secrets Of nature
he commands; as draughtsman and colorst be is I'M
rvalled The only fault which tho best critics have
had TO nnd with him Is, indeed, grave onethat he
lacks tho high poetic inspratonthc Promethean lire,
best named perhaps SOUL which charms despite all
technical defects and for the lack OF which the most
superb execution cannot atone Ills pictures always ad
mirabc and always lofty In aim, have sometimes been
cold wanting the sympathetic attractivencss OF genius
But this IL not OF this great "Daphnepharia.'
Caught up by lyrical enthusiasm into tho purest
ethcr OF inspiration, the artist has exceeded himself
and has produced work which should crown his
name with immortality The OF this Thcban fes.
from tumultuous prosac age that grand and
remote era OF tho young world,
DArHHEPHARiA,
derived from the laurel branches carried by those
who took part in the festival the laurel as 10 we'll
known, or rather the bay, being sacred to Apollo.
Next to Leightou's picture is hung the
AUDIENCE AGRprA's,"
by AIma-Tadena, famous Belgian artist who now for
many years has been residing London. This also is
one Of the great pictures OF tho exhibition. 1t is
small interior. showing a procession. descending the
palace steps to seek interview with King Agrippa.
But how superb Ia tho coIoriug how o-ks the action
Of the gurcs how absolute perfection the mnutest
"details and consummate wholel Tho grand statue,
standing upon its pedestal ut the entrance TO the
palace tho two gurel beneath absorbed in their idle
mcriment the figures within, bending In rcverent
1t the approach OF the long hne OF couriiers or
PROFESSIONS the tessclated floors; tho upon
tho walls; what verify and charm alike in the
the drama and In tho architectural setting in which
they seen: what life tho seal of art which
can only be given by the hand Of great artist This
picture, by tho way, demands explanation.
s1s OF THE suRJKcr
n somewhat obscure. One Is left In doubt as to
whether IL is Agrippa himself who heads the pro-
cesson, or whether supplants OF his power seek
ing the audience chamber or the great monarch, and
what is tho or these suppants or courters
II would not add to the perfection OF the picture but
might to enjoyment OF Il, 10 have the suggested
drama more distinctly indicated.
Alma Tadcma exhibits very famous picture,
which created great sensation years ago in
Paris, hts we'll known and admired
CLEOPATRA.
Small, but rarely exquisite, nothing exceed the
superb beauty Of this impcrsonaon Of the vouptuous
Oriental Queen. II 10 half figure only, the head and
bust alone being visible She rests upon pillow her
head softly rccncd the night black hair drawn up
from tho whto throat, the dark subtle eyes dream
Ing unutterablo Dreams the BARE stately csspcd
by serpent-like bracelets; q panther skin drawn MP
over the barc breast thus she recnes In hor superb
beauty, WHY and luxurious; a woman for whom tho
greatest soldier In the world might well have sacrificed
tho world and his lfe--the Cleopatra Of history
the Cleopatra Of Shakespeare Tho exhibition has no
more superb piecs Of painting than this 10 show
Among the pictures that. attract most attention In
tho Royal Academy this year Is ssTne widowcr,n
by l. Fidea Hcre We have pathetic scene OF
humble bnt tragic grief poor PEASANTS COTTAGE be-
reavcd OF the ministerng angel Of the family, the
mother and wilo. All dcsolaton, all ptcous decay
The poor father his rough workmans garb Is holding
In his his dying child; little cold hand IL
pressed his ps his fearful eyes brood the pal
I'D dropping face Near by tho eldest girl tear
ul and dcspondcnt conscious OF tho solemn pressure
brooding her stricken home On the floor sport the
younger children In the thoughtess happiness OF in
fancy drinking bowI Of milk, the pet dog sitting
solcmnly by, watching every movement with grave
u seen glimpse Of tho tranquil beauty
" nature the green trees and cambcring vines With
which the rude cottage Is cnvroned and bcautincd
Totally tree from exaRgcraton, simple and noble in
treatment there IS world Of sentiment in this beaut-
uI picture The figure Of The peasant with his dying
rhii clasped in his arms, Is grandiy tragicaI NJ
Fildes, although quite young man, has already won
d,stnc,on but tho widower is greatly in advance Of
anything he has hthorto accomplished and has added
enormously 70 his reputation. As picture, however,
would have been better had the artist entirely omitted
IN group OF children the lett, and only retained tho
father, child and girl standing behind
"Ar DEATHS DOOR,
BY H. Hcrkomer. Is another admirable picture Ike the
"Widower" In inns that v particularly suggestive apd
eils with simple pathos story Of humble griei. In
lonely old house, IN wild Alpine pass some soul, bs
loved by ALL Is approaching lfe's last solemn hour.
Through AN open window female figure bu seen
kneciing al uraiory N prayer group 81 PEASANTS
are knecling outside the house. With their lighted
apcrs and sacrifices, While slowly two priests ascend
The steep, rocky path, bearing the vaiicum The last
ueramcns with which the parting soul Is supposed TO
b. winged IN ts heavenly flight. The Wild and sombro
suhlimty OF Alpine scenery IS admirably rendered In
his picture aud there world Of snsgcstvcncss In
ho treatment
ssArALtxrA's K:cE."
~ r. J. Poynts, ls nne painingin sire, subject and
treatment heroic The moment seized by the painter
y that IN which AtaInnta pauses in her ght-iootcd
6tO0p8
aio Of which she ~ 20 lose her OF virginhood
ATLANTA . splendid figure OF marvellous grace. half
geed IN Heating drapcry, With small firm icct,
'ccning 70 touch the Garth With ono apple already
pressed 70 her hrcast she stoops ovor tho
golden prize Milanion, IN attitude full
y vsor and grace, eagerly waschfu his pursuit. is
sbou, TO throw the third nppc upon winch bis life aud
he success OF his suit depends Outside the arena IN
which these central figures arc ssrikingy grouped,
and the eager citizens, with their bourgeois faces
ind awkward attitudes, gazing with passionate IN
crest upon the scene. Tho coorng Is nnc the draw
ng OF tho figures admirable tho scene ethereal with
he keen wind Of Inauguration.
THE LINEN GATuEEERs."
Nv Vnl q.