Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-08-26
EIPOSITIOy YOrkS.
Correspondents OF The Evening star.l

and make-oeieve Indifferent glances given
by most persons to the very considerable
number OF pictures which represent the nude
In art In the several galleries. A few OF
both sexes have the courage to march
squarely up and inspect the m, In cold blood,
on their merits, as they would q Ia dscspe or
battle piece; but the course OF the m ajority
Is Of different sort. They mostly give q
side-wise squint or two In passing pictures
of this class, somewhat as IL they were
ashamed to look, and partly as IL they didn't
want to, any way. Yet all the same notice
they make an excuse for passing them pretty
often, or else find something wonderfully
fascinating on the walls close by where they
are hung. 1t is exceedingly comicsl, this
characteristic OF human nature; but at the
same time IL suggests q puzzling question.
Why q manor woman either, for that
matter,-may leisurely admire the Greek
q. Slave, the Venus OF Milo, or some OF her less
attractive sisters in marble, for example,
and may not be at liberty as well to contem-
plate and enjoy an equally chsste nude con-
ception on canvas, is q problem In the pro-
prieties which cannot solve. Is there any
thing more improperly suggestive In the
colors OF nature than in her forms? II so,
why so? II you object to representing the
human figure in a state Of nature by any OF
the processes OF art, that is quite another
thing; but IL the nude is allowable in sculp-
ture, fail to see why 1t should be forbidden
in painting. 1t depends very much, of
course. upon the spirit and manner in which
the subject is treated; but likewise quite as
much let me add, on the spirit in which the
eyes and mind OF the beholder are brought
into use. The scriptural passage "Unto the
pure all things are pure" is, 1t seems TO me,
pertinent to this case. And let me say here,
for the benefit OF those who do not care to
find out for themselves, that. artlsti-
cally considered, the best picture OF this
class in the exhibition is undoubtedly
the Pan and Bacchantes," by Eugene Felix,
Sarts gnaud picture Of aSp psyinS
homage TO Catharine Cornaro," In the Aus
!rian gallery. The scene shows two volup-
tuous female figures, both clad in the simple
costume OF Lady Godiva, barring "the rip.
ping ringlets showered to the knee" They
are little above lie size. and OF a type OF
beauty suited to the subject. One Is In .
crouching or half kneeling posture, handing
bunch OF luscious grapes To her companion,
who stands STANDS gracefully poised on one foot,
ward. She is full front to the spectator,
with one hand raised little above her head
TO press ss eeaker OF rich wine to the lips Of
bt hind her. shaded and partly hidden by
luxuriant foliage. From this cold outline II
ax De seen n taat me ar srst is vergtng on
edge OF his art and wonderful skill In hand
ling he manages TO keep on the hither side of
me very narrow line which divides what
might be called the epicurean element in art
from mere prurient q ossness. The superby
modelled forms, the rich colOring, the per-
vadlng half sensuous tone requisite to inter
pref the spirit and sentiment OF the mytho-
logical scene are all here; but by judicious
toDing and artistic subordination OF details
obscene suggestions are well kept out Of
triumphs OF art. Whether the triumph Is
worth winning or not is a different matter.
that on some accounts may be preferred Ito to
10 by many observers, is THE Rest" by
Leon Perrault. which hangs In one OF the
SCENTS a single fgure,Nthat Of a beautiful
woman, or more likely naiad, swinging In
hammock after q bath. 1t Is delicious in
abstractIy as a work Of Of art. It ca Cannot,
think, take rank with the "Bacchantes."
There are number OF other pictures OF the
most persons will be likely to give them, and
others again worth little or none; but the
two have mentioned will doubtless be
In the exhibition.
Modest and quietly disposed visitors to the
exposition who are In pursuit OF specific and
accurate Information In regard to the great
variety OF objects to be seen on every hand
will very likely be disappointed at the
meager facilities provided TO that end. As
general thing, that is. There are excep-
dons, OF course; but as q rule 1t IL noticeable
Inob tuCIc - hui OulJ u lbCk Oh p6rBOQ6l
attendants where they would seem to be
most needed to answer inquiries and furnish
desired Information, but there is also q
marked scarcity Of such cheap and coave-
nient devices as cards, circulars, ETC., de-
scribing In Q brief but intelligent manner
the more interesting articles on exhibition,
their peculiarities and advantages, place OF
manufacture, price, &C. II these were plen-
ufully proviled and placed where all who
wanted them could freely take them, vslu-
able time and oftentimes annoyance would
be saved to exhibitions and their assistants,
and at the same time visitors would be able
TO gain much desirable Information without
trouble to Others, and which is now often
sought In vain. In short, the exposition
could In this way be made far more bene.
fetal TO the exhibitors themselves, as well
as more interesting to those who come to see
It. great deal OF money has already been
expended by exhibitors know, In ad YER
descriptions and long fulsome letters in some
OF the illustrated and big daily newspapers
of the country; and money paid this way
not But this sort OF thing does not meet the
requirements OF the present case. What is
needed here Is the legitimate use OF printers
maries of such striking and important facts
concerning each exhibit as will make mat.
tiers plain TO the ordinary sight seer. Such
would be seed that could hardly fail to bring
forth good mutt. Another thing strikes me
oddly in the same line. Poiteness seems to
decrease and the disposition TO crafty laud-
able curiosity grows less the farther west
ward one gets In other words, the softly
moving children of the drowsy orient are
quick to tell all they know, or at least all
they can, and appear To be diligent Ia all
directions leading to business, whether near
or remote; whereas, your wide awake Hes
perian, enterprising and shrewd as he is
reputsd to be, 10 negligent and Indifferent to
q degree that 10 ut times perfectly exsspe-
peratfDg 1t may be that the nercer battle
which the Oriental brother has to Tight for
an existence In his crowded home Quickens
his energies TO any prospect Of gain, and that
what We take to be ineround courteous
civility 10 after all only q thin CLOAK TO
greed. On this point do not feel competent
to decide. ! only know that, a. the case
appears on the surface. the contrast IL de-
cfdedly 20 the disadvantage OF our own
people.
**&
The horticultural Building may have at
fractions for those who have little or no
facilities for visiting conservatories, bat
visitors who have opportunities to see and
lSf m anf dNanf lIacttona oil