The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-06-29
NEW YORK,s ART TREASURES.

RED out the Idea Of bringing together the best
pictures scattered in private collections. With
the thermometer at ninety odd IN the shade, II is
not particularly tempting to visit picture gal
lery but the dog days cannot last long, and
thousands OF people will have, when the heat
falls OF, an opportunity Of improving and cul-
tivating their artistic taste by seeing the finest
works Of art OF which our wealthy amateurs are
the possessors.
In young country like this, which has not
yet had time for the establishment Of national
museums, collective exhibitions like the one
opened now are beyond appreciation. Some
fifteen years ago an exhibition OF this kind was
organized at Manchester, and did more toward
the spread Of artistic dispositions throughout
England than the National Gallery and the
yearly exhibitions at the Royal Academy Of
London ever did. Men, women, and children
from all parts OF the country, who may never
visit London, or who would look at quite diff
ferent sights II they went there. had ut Man
chester an opportunity to become acqusinted
with the masterpieces which had been accumu-
lated by the wealthy classes. In the same way tho
Art Depa tment at the Centennial, and the Loan
Exhibition in New York, will become powerful
motors In the spread of artistic taste among our
people.
1t would be preposterous to attach any classi-
cal or national Importance TO either OF these
two exhibitions. There is not u work OF any OF
the great masters at either OF them-not
Murillo, Raphael, Van Dyck or a Cor
reggie. Both these exhibitions are essen
italy foreign and modern; but within these
limits they are extremely valuable. Variety Ia,
however, not the characteristic OF the New
York exhibition. II would seem IA II the ANA
teurs OF this city have limited themselves main
ly to a few popular French and spanish artists.
Madrazo, Fortuny, Gerome, vibert, Schreyer,
Escosur', Zamacois, and BouRuereau, seem to
be the favorite painters Of New York picture
buyers. IL Ia incontestible that ell these artists
have great merits, and some OF hem possess an
Irresistible charm. hut II Ia just as sure, too,
that they are popular In this country not
much on that account as account Of their
names being fashionable aud their production
highly snowy and decorative. Their popularity
and influence here seen not only from the
number Of their pictures purchased by Ameri-
cans and the high prices paid for them, but
partly also from the fact that number Of our
native painters who venture into the field of
genre painting, exert all their efforts to i'm itate
one or the other OF these celebrities. In all this,
however. there In no great harm. The country
IL modern, so let the collections Of pictures be
modern too and as long as the masters are
skilful. the pupils will not lose by initiating
them.
Uaefu and interesting az the Loan Exhibition
Is. II lacks In two points. The nrst Is that u had
TO be divided between two galleries, and the
second IL that the pictures hsd to DO classified
not by the schools. the subiects,or by the names
Of the artists, but by the names OF the owners.
This concession to the self love OF the amateurs
who's. courtesy permitted the exhibition to take
place It all, may easily he forgiven.
The largest exhibitor In the Metropolitan
/
lie mas loaned nearly a hundred pictures
among which und oubtedy the best To be
seen In that building. The artistic taste Of Sir.
Johnston seems TO be Of rather universal char
actcr. At all events he does not show a pre-
objection for any particular school, or auy par
ticular kind OF painting. You find everything
IN his collection. Sensual subjects like the
Temptation OF 81 Anthony bY Leloir clas-
! steal subjects like the " Death OF Cmsar." by
! Gerome. profusion OF landscapes. equestiian
pictures by Schreycr. sensational historical sub
jects like the Roll Call Of the Last Victims OF
the Reign ~ Terror" bv Muller, and every I'm
aginabc other subject down to most vulgar
picture OF a " Railway station in westchester.'
which OF these pictures Is the best II would be
! difficult to say for very large number OF
them are admirable and a great deal de-
Ponds on the taste 81 the beholder. or
the two admirable MadrazOs. " Iho Span
! ish Caft" and the " Interior Of santa Maria.
tie tier Is more valuable on account Of its
showing the artist Ia a larger attempt aud in
| the grouping Of more figures than gem
orally accustomed To see. The two works of
| IAN. co.'s, me Puzzled Musician" and the
" Two Confessors," are alike charming; but Il
requires a Roman Catholic familiar with the
| types of the priests OF Spain and Italy TO ap-
preciate all the beauty aud all the intense sar-
] pf la ri "a I hei
comics ionnls nougucreau Ia a. successful as
ever ia making and a robust little rascal OF the
modern baby; but instead OF making as usual a
corpulent madO OF the modern mother. ne
gives as IN his ION the Way To the Bath " an
admirable girl. ~ Italian Bandits surprised by
Papal Troops" shows only TOO clearly, alas how
Horace Nernet aud hs school have become
antiquated. The scenery shows II much
| by Its hardness and rudencss. a. the horses
do by their unnatural attitudes and II
IL the figures only that rescue the picture. OF
the two Gtromes, The Death Of julius Caesar %
Is, of course, by far the more important. IL must
he familiar to every one, not only from the en-
cravings, but from the recent reproduction on
the stage Of Booths Theatre. 1t Is equally adj
mraOle In composition and In drawing, and
| equally defective in painting and colorins. Es-
| cosura'- Quarrel OF the Pets" though full Of
| exquisite details Of workmanship. is one Of his
most meaningless productions. Paul Della
roche's Bathing Venus Is too small aud too
colorless to attract any notice amid many
| beauties Of the collection. LelOir gives very
! queer but a highly interesting picture In his
Temptation OF IT. Anthony" The magnificent
woman lying in front Of him ~ ia every respect
| perfection. breathing righteousness and Sc
duction IN every muscle and every feature Of
her face Hut the rest Of he picture Is a failure.
The blonde woman behind him has the face of
common harlot and the muscular arm sh,
throws around his neck looks like that Of ar
over-deyelopcd male acrobat. 81. Anthem,
himself has the miserable appearance Of con
sumptive patient In a charity hospital. II woulC
be dincut To conceive the LEA of any woman
feeling toward such man any other fee NJ
than mat Of COMMUNICATION. Curiously enough
Leloir has grown quite famous for the repro
duction of the sensual elements Of human ma
ture. while he IL personally as quiet, chaste and
domes icated a man ~ the most rigid code Of
morals could require. Where he gets hil
queer insDiratlons II a mystery. In Mr.. w
L. Andrews's collection is a chmminl
little water color by MIN OF woman feeding
her parrot. The subject is Of the most ina cen