The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-23

tsndard works, which should be set a. models
to young painters. The background In both Of
them Is vague and lasiIy painted. Tho artist
must have known what II means to represent a
crowded Roman circus. and ought to have either
not undertaken the gigantic task OF else properly
performed II. IL is a pity to zee a man Of &C.
rome's genius sending from his easel canvas Of
which small portion Is gem, whit the rest Is
kind Of work which would be co sidered ac-
ceptable only when coming from q scene painter
Of a socond-class obers mouse.
Had we been asked to which OF these two pio-
lures we give the preference, we should name
the "Cnariot Race" Though there Is possibly
less nue. workmanship In 1t, there Is more artistic
unity and harmony In the whole, ami incompt-
rsbv more life. This picture 10 PROBABLY also
more correct In Its details, for we greatly doubt
whether the Roman gladiators ever wore such
big helmets as Geromo MAKES the one he shows
us W ar We greatly doubt also, whether the
carpets and banners sdorninR ths Rom IN EN-
perors box had such queer-looking, semi-J sps-
nese designs on them. And we believe 1t to be
certain that the reversed thumb (pOlice uersO) Of
the Vesta Virgin DID not mean "kili him," but
spare him." III tails be 80, the wild
preston OF the infuri ted witches that Ge-
rome gives us for Vestal Virgins Is quite out OF
place, for they nave their thumbs reversed, and
consequently mean mercy to the lien. The VIC
torous gladiator himself looks lifeless, anu has
nothing about hin to inIicl.e tn At he has lust
gone through deadly struggle. He seems more
like n cold-bloode1 cxecutioner awaiting orders
to perform hts Infamous work.
Notwithstanding these faults, however, and
possibly several others less striking IL Is impoa
sibe not to acKnowledse the nan II a man OF
genius in these works, and the profound interest
which they excite in the IN lss OF tue public Is,
perhaps, tue best proof that they arc true works
OF art, that Is tO say that they unmistak ABLY and
profoundly affect tue emotional side OF human
nature.
or the other pictures OF Mrs. A. r. Stewart,
two are, la our Ju igment, almost worthless,
while three others are lilte gems which will be
valued more and more dc .rly as truB ar istic
tastc Is spre ID among people in this country.
or the two poor pictures, Fichel's " ChIrcn Of
st. SIlpice" is merely an indifferent canvas,
white jOldin's Gard IN Of Versailles" 10 IL
most silly work. Inc success wnich he has
achieved with his sketchy and blotted style Of
painting trees Gems t. Ia We turl, II his hYSt.
lie extended this st,Is to human 1lures, AMI
the moro we see Of MS recent pro AUCTIONS tho
les, we understand them. This oao pears the
date OF 1875, ana must, conseq Iently, be one Of
his last prod uctiJns, and Is ccrta MY the worst
we have seen IL Is AL hSht-xreen spots, light
blue dots, and hsht-oInk Ulots. You have to ap-
prodch as near to the canvas as IL yoI had the
intention to smell IL, aud then ouly do you and
out that the whimsical Italian intendei to
paint In white, SIX blu, ligat green, aud stili
lighter pink, the terrace ofthe Park OF Versailles,
with some flirting parties Of the days Of LOUIS
XVI.
Alongside this picture hang, however, Ma.
DIR EOS " Lady aud MOnkey," L,szel's Stri-
tegic Device anu Zimscos's" ;ggtng Monk -
and glance at them more than compromises
you for tho ANNOYANCE caused by Dodnis-
Every one Of them IA a litte ctot d1upre, watch
no person OF artistic taste and Of perception
OF true humor will ever get tired VI ooutem-
plating.
Most Of the visitors look anxlously for tho so.
mucn-t .Iked-0f ana so-dea. J. -Daii-ior Curas-
sier Charge" Of Meiss 1nier. MT they look In
vain For some reason or Other that picture
has not been loaned.