The New York herald., 1876-10-11
FINE ARTS.
THE OPENING OF rHs BELMONT oAL1xRr.

THE OPENING OF THE BELMONT GALLERY.
Yesterday Mr.. August Belmont opened his cello
bra'ed private gallery in aid OF the Centennial Loan
Exhibition, and tho public had tho opportunity OF
studying one OF tho finest collections OF paintings In
America Tho crowded by the lovers Of
art all day, from nine O'Clock until tho dusk and the
interest IN Mr. Bclmonts superb pictures de-
cidsdy sincere and enthusiastic Few gentlemen
would consent TO throw their personal collections
open 20 the public, for which plain; yet
Mr. Belmont was compmcnted with a brilliant as
sembly OF artists and con1osscurs. who appreciated
his superb gathering OF pictures ana fully understood
the liberal purpose Of the exhibition. There was no
for the collection OF canes by the coorcd gen.
tlemen at the entrance for the class OF people who
present. did not desire TO attract attention to
6ne point, by pokng hole in high light TO de-
scribe the famous exact circle OF Goto tho face ofa
fine painting with the end OF umbrella Hayden,
the English painter, said that when Tom
and Mary went TO sec celebrated statue
they wrote their names upon the marble, SO that II
Jim and Betsy came aftcrward they would know tnat
Tom and Mary had been there before thcm. THIS was
English appreciation, in that day. but Mr. Belmonts
gallery was attended by ladies' and gentle
mon who respected his motives and acted
If they were his personal visitors. II Mr. Belmont
had invited his friends to private view Of hts gallery
they could not have shown moro dclicacy than tho
public did and wc rcjocc TO note this fact proof
of tho artistic appreciation OF New York
The Belmont Gallery is not large one. The cata-
ogue which visitor should neglect TO use, contains
nncty-three numbers, but ninctyhrce nrst class pic.
lures are rarely hung side by side in gallery There
not single picture in the Belmont collection that is
not prize II the English collection at the Centennial
Exhibition Is excepted all tho pictures at Memorial
Hall do not contain much sterling merit as great
power remarkable contrasts as this private gallery
Mt Belmont has seemed have chosen his paintings
ON the Darwnan theory 1.-The survival OF tho 1ttcs"
and no has excluded good pictures for the bon
ont OF tho better ones. There are "inhnite
riches In q little room," and instead of wan
dering through emptiness of unnterestng canvass
the spectator walks like Aladdin in the subtcrrancan
garden, where every pear was pearl every dewdrop
diamond, and every fruit gem. n. 7. Wills mado
the observation that picture was like window IN
the WALL through which tho eye beheld beauties
and there is of the ninety paintings in Mr..
Belmonts collection which does not give revelation
of tho sea- the sky, the landscape. of the
phases OF humanity The gallery does not contain
single picture which would not repay special study,
and its consolidated splendor constitutes exceptional
attraction 10 all lovers OF art.
For these reasons is hard to discriminate in speak
ing OF the pictures But in tho landscapes We should
specify particularly nno tho "Rendezvcus dc
Chasse," by Rosa Bonheur, an early morning sccnc
desolae misty, with horses, men, dogs, all eager for
the IL is cold and gray In one yet ull Of subtle
color while the figure painting Immensely powerful
There three landscapes by NJ. Troyon, of Paris,
which will reward nstudy-"Cattle Grazing, 'Cattle
Drinking" and 'The Water Cart A. Calame Is repre-
sentcd ably by a ''Swiss Lake." in which the dis
tant mountains seem to vanish in the misty
horizon, a strong contrast with tho rocks in tho
mind both N form
there are two nne specimens ''The Coast OF Sicily;
and sTwight in the first OF which stormy sea rolls
upon a rocky coast and in tho other tho full moon
rises out OF pal!id clouds, with foreground all Ia
shadow, and tho moonbeams, the darkness, and dim
lighthouse, weaving that mysterious transparcnco
which Is not night nor day. Another superb marine
painting is called "The shipwreck," by De Haas, which
Is worthy to be compared with another work. "The
shipwrcckod," by Meyer. In tho the storm Is
almost over, and the ship Is hurled against the cliffs;
In other the vessel Is almost cngufod tho ocean,
while from thunderous skies tho lightning bolt de-
sccnds upon it, We may turn from thesc subjects to
scenes more charming. There Is hebsrt's Savoy
ard.n the hrst picture which will be noticed
ing tho room; ''Tho Chess Players" masterpiece by
| Meissouicr In which broad effect is united with
almost microscopic detail; "Baron Munchauscn' an
| admirable humorous painting, in which The traveller
his wonderful stories to group OF ladies and
gentlemen antique supper room, some OF whom
believe, evidently, while others doubt; rhe Miser."
q little study which tells its own story; "Gong to
the Dance" largo painting by Louis Knaus,
which represents . gay procession Of villagers
as they 90, while u flock OF geese attack
them on their festive way; Marguerite Leaving
Church." by Legs, picture not only powerful o
scene from Faust" but remarkable for Its details
oi architecture and costume. Tho ladies' especially
viii be delighted with rhe Twins beautiful speci-
of Bouguoreau, which presents two naked babies
sleeping each others arms, charming In expression
and delightful In color Thcsc are only few OF the
works In the Belmont Gallery TO which may call
the attention OF The artistic public To all that
deserve mention would DO to recapitulate tho