The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-05
an US EN- ENTs.
Mrs. I-,osene Robinson morreII's Historical
Paintings.

Two pictures have been on exhibition at
the Academy OF Design during the last week
witch are worthy Of more than passing notice.
They were painted by Mrs Morrell, an American
lady who has studied her art for many years In
France and Germany. The subjects are histor
cal, and the works are respectively entitled
1.-THE First Battle Of the Puritins," and Wash
ington Welcoming the Provision Train" The
first represents a skirmsh between Miles stand
ish and few soldiers on the one side. aud an
encampment Of Indians on the other For rea-
sons which he thought sufficient, standish has
stabbed the red chief and his men have shot the
chieftain's brother. Both these stslwart saw
ages lie on the foreground as they fell. 10 the
background, TO the left of the spectator, are the
Indian tents. and savage men and women in ter
ror and commotion to the iignt, in the rear,
are seen Standish's soldiers manning field
piece. The central figures are the Puritan hero
himself, IN armor such AZ wac worn at that day,
and the grand figure OF an Indian Interpreter,
leaning forward while he talks with the white
captain. The fallen savages lie upon an open
space carpeted with wild flowers. Iiehnt the
Indian tents IL the forest. and behind Standishs
men the sea. In the main the conlposlton is
excellent, graceful, and symmetrical. Brilliant
| colors predomnate but contrasts and shading
| are well managed and the tone is harmonious.
| For the most part. also, the drawing of the ng-
ures Ia very bold and strong The painting has
| very great merits, which gppt ar to have been
| generously praised by some OF the best artists
In the scond picture Washington. with his
| stan, on hOfSeNaCk, are GROUPED IN tnc CeutTW
| foreground near the headquarters at Newburch.
| In the distance to the right may bc seen Il Q
Hudson river; to the left in the ba keround are
| the army tcuts and quarters, with numerous
| figures. tram Of wagons has Just come in
| sight over the rising ground toward the river,
| and TO this the attention Of the central group
| and Of the Incidental figures Is directed. Even
| the horses seem TO p,rtake OF the general JOY.
| In the painting OF these horses the artists great
| est strength Il exhibited. Two or three of them
| especially are done 10 manner to suggest the
| pencil Of Rosa Bonheur Washington, In turn
| ing toward his staf. faces the spectator. As a
| whole. the work Is worthy OF very high praise.
| In both pictures some minor defecta may easily
be discovered; but the general holiness. free
| dom, and strength OF the execution are such ia
| TO dwarf the faults. We're the pictures, as such,
| much kss meritorous, their author should re-
| Ccive the hearty applause due to an honorable
| attempt far above the aim OF our aritsts eener-
| ally. AZ 1t IL, she is TO be congratulated on her
| success In lofty and difficult branch Of art,
| and warmly encouraged TO Dersevere. II ia to be
| hoped that other American artiste may be slim
| ulated b. her achievements to rise out VI 'hc
| somewhat commonplace and not very idea II class
| Of subjects which occupy their Ottennon.