New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-12-01
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

THE LIFE OF RUBEYs. BY GEoEoE 7. CALVERT. l2mo.
pp. 2l9. Lee x shepard
The love of letters and Art which prompted
the author to the composition Of this biography ws no
doubt blended with spice Of ancestral pride MI
Calvert Is descended direct line from the ilustrious
painter, and it is natural enough that the consciousness
of kindred blood should lave inspired profound inter
est In his career No previous writer has combined IN
single narrative such an agreeable porraurc OF the
character OF Rubens with SO lucid exposition Of the
events Of his life and critical judgments OF his
masterpieces Of Art The personal qualities OF
the great painter were less remarkable than
his artistic endOwments. He was man OF
opulent ana generous nature, fully equipped
at an points for a noble career, uniting singular ca
pacitv for practical affairs with high ideal aims, and
rejoicing in tho exercise OF his the sincere
preston of his genius his worship Of beauty as the
condition Of culture, in his enjoyment Of artistic activity
in the creation OF harmonious forms in his res0e good
sense, in his calm and searching wisdom, and in his
broad views of the purposes OF life as process OF self
development he anticipated the many-sdedness OF
Goethe, suggesting frequent comparisons with the
radiant star of German poetry. the keynote OF Mr.
Cayerts estimate o. the great artist may be found IN the
remark of SpnOl, the commander OF the Spanish forces
in the Netherlands whO after an intimate connection
with him in diplomatic services, said: Painting is the
least of the merits Of Rubens" The opinion thus e1-
pressed is fuzzy sustained in the admirable summary
which closes the volume According to Mr.. Calvert,
Rubens had not only the gifts for artistic achieve
ment still faculty of wise seli-guidance
He had clear perception Of The means by which bis
lofty aims were to be accomplished His knowledge OF
himself was no less conspicuous than his genius The
profound sentiment OF his own worth no arrogant
assumption but noble pride, which forbade the en-
ployment OF his talents except in the highest regions OF
Art and thought lie conscious OF bis superiority 20
those about him, not only as an artist, but as man'
His sefesteem however was not the fruit Of seffat-
Ifs
SclflOYe absorbing to leave no room TOT the
love of Others or 10 stain the OF his judgments on
men and things. With his supreme devotion to AIT
RubCns was a thorough man Of business In the man
agenent OF his alIahs he methodical, regular,
pmctuai THIS side OF his nature was not a mere
ballast TO steady his genius it the muscle and bone
the sustaining mates TO the nerves. It gave his upper
powers hinges for their full swing" With Rubcns the
conduct Of life was less significant problem Of high
Art than the painting Of pIfure. The law OF
order was the rule Of his mind and his action
Every dag was governed by the method which reas the
richest harvest from the passing hour Lake al hghlN-
endowed natures, he loved TO live IN an atmosphere OF
work "Rubens enioycr; he ioyed IN old books
in gallant horse In good talk, old friends in clss
cal passage in children in seeing places, in animals,
in men and all their passions in women without behg
betrayed into erOtic .moralitics IN Gccunuatins
money, in spending IL wisely and kindly In bis bidln
there was than usual variety Of aptitude as well
he fronted the multitudinous life without him cheer
fully, meeting light with Iglt and when there was
darkness, casting upon it some Of the day or
his inward illumination" Ee was a fortunate
and happy man throughout life but his happiness flowed
from inward sources, rather than from ms rare gifts OF
fortune In his intercourse with his fellows be enjoyed
n sinculary cnviablc lot. He was valued and admired
by the strong men with whom be came IN contact. or
all anecnato Iatlrcs he speedily won the love. His
active genial hfc was daily light 90 wider circle than
that Of his immediate companions 1t made clearer ana
brighter the path only OF his friends and toWnsmen,
but OF his countrymen at large OF his 50 verens OF the
master-muds among his contemporaries. His worldly
success enabled him TO live with princey magnfccuce
The rule OF his household was and imperative but
its daily routine was marked by splendor and refine
ment. His mansion in Antwerp was one OF the most
sumptuous in the city while his Summer residence IN
the country the perpetual scene Of elegant aud sa
cous hospitality. His gallery contained owe. three
hundred pictures many Of them by his own hand, ana
others the choicest productions Of Titan Paul Yeronese
Tntore Van Dyck and other distinguished masters OF
that artistic The death Of Rubcn in the month oil
Nav 1910 was the signal for a deep gloom IN strange
contrast with the beauty Of the season pan OF sad
ness was spread the quiet town Men gathered In
groups and spoke low OF the mourntu event Antwerp
seemed suddenly emptied there stiffness rs that
Of corpse when the soul has just fed. The shock eN
tended throughout al Europe Men felt awed at the eX-
tngasng Of great light. at the removal Of precious
level from the intellectual diadem OF the earth-Ihc
execution Of this volume shows that IT has not been
task but a sincere and cordial service the art OF the
author IL every where betrays conscientious study Of
the subject and sympathy with all its details which
converts tie dusty chronicles OF the past into fresh ana
living record Of unadlng realities Mr. Calvert searches
out and recognizes the immortal features OF humanity In
the character Of the artist Ii is this which gives pccu
liar charm 10 his deneatiOns They leave an impress
sion Of actual life which IS so often wanting In
biographical cOmpcsOn The reader Of this work
viii henceforth look the pictures Of Rubens with
eyesigh rejoicing in their revelations Of character no
less than ia their consumato excellence productions
of Art In point of STYLE Mr.. Calvert shows create;
freedom and case in the present volume than in some OF
lis previous writings, although he is evidently more in
tent on yigOr Of expression than on rhetorical smooth
ness and grace His dction is decidedly dOsyncratlc,
growing out OF a strong individuality and mainly oc
cpied with the substance of thought instead OF its eK
ternal form or costume But he always summons lis
reader to reflection, arOusng him TO mental activity by
opportune hints and the influence Of his suggestions is
ever both wise and wholesome.