New-York tribune., 1876-01-22
PARTISAN SKETCHES.
LETTER FROM HENRY JAMES. JR.

PARls-PICTUREsQUENESso OF THE CITY AT EVEN
TIDE.
IFROM REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUyEl
PARIS. Dec. 2s.-There has been much notice
taken during the last fortnight of a new picture by
MessOner which has been exhibition first at the
rooms of an eminent dealer and then at the CLUB des
MirlitOns Any new work by NJ Meissoner Is OF
course noticeable, but the present one has slecla
claim TO distinction in the fact that 1t IS the largest
picture that has ever proceeded from the mana Oh
that prince of minaturists. Besides, as the future
possessors of il. you should know something apout
IT, The picture has been bought by Mr.. A. /. Stew
art of New-York for the prodigOus sum, as see 1t
affirmed Of $4,000 francs. The thing is exceed
nclv clever but il strikes the dearest piece of
goods have ever had the honor of contemplating
II has believe, what they call in France Its " le-
gend that little nebulOus body of anecdote when
hoyers like the tail of a comet in the rear of every
nine days wonder. The picture was seen in an EN-
bryonic condition by Sir Richard Wallace, aud pur-
chased in anticipation for 200 OOo rancsOne-half of
which was deposited pledge in the hands of the
dealer But time elapsed, and Sir Richard Wallace
thought better of his bargain he took back his offer
and his 500, 900. Meanwhile the picture was COM
pleed and the price also 1twas offered to MrStewart
for 100000. He accepted, but this was not all. The
dealer bethought himself that this small paralelo-
gram of canvas would pay duty of $4,000 at the
New-YOrk Custom-hOuse and he accordingly an
nexed this trine to the bill of sale. Then it appeared
that NJ Messoner desired to retain the right to ex
hibt the picture in the Salon OF next year. and that
the cost Of bringing it back the seas for this
purpose would be matter of So 900 more. why 1t
should cost so much to transport deal box con-
tanning a light canvas from NewYOrk to Paris is not
immediately apparent 1t occupies less space than
the most emaciated human being, and it eats moth
nnt IL for of he
the amount already mentioned and the American
nnrcbaser laid down without flinching-always ac-
ooriing TO the "legend '-the round sum of 3SO,oOO
francs. The picture represents an immense amount
of labor and of acquired science and SKILL and one
takes moreover, acute satisfaction In seeing
America stretch out her long and rake in. across
the green cloth of the wide Atlantic, the highest
prizes of the game of civilization. And yet, III spite
of these reflections, NJ. MessOnier's little picture
seemed to me dear, l have said, at $4,000. II
must be added, however, that in dealing with so high
talent as Messoniers, it is very hard to fix the
line of division between the fair yalue and the fact
tons value The ability is so extreise, so consum-
mate so defiant of analysis, that it carries of with
an irresistible assurance any claims il may choose TO
make. To paint 80 well as that, you say rs you
stand and look, must be so difficult, must be inpos-
sibe-to any one but Messoner; and if Meissoner is
nnique. why should he not command the prices of
unique thingsi If there only one sewing
machine in the world, for instance, who can say
what might be the pecuniary conditions annexed to
Its changing handsf And then humby confess
that il certain number of persons have been found
10 agree that such and such an enormous sum
is a proper valuation of picture, book or
song at a concert it is very hard not to be rather
touched with awe and to a certain golden refet
in the performance. Indeed if you do not it. the
object in question becomes perhaps still more I'M
pressive-a something too elevated and exquisite for
your duh comprehension. NJ. MessOners picture
represents of those Napoleonic episodes which
be has so often treated aud of which he has so com
pletely mastered the costume and the historical
preston he entities il simply "lSO7" The work
is yard and half long and suppose about three
quarters of yard high. 1t is probable that the
painter considers it his greatest achievement, for
he has evidently spent world of and research
upon it. The critics in general, apparently are not
of this mind most of them of the opinion that
the success on the whole, is not propOrtionate to
the ATTEMPT The artist, imagine, has desired not
so much to represent particular battle as to give
superb pictorial expression Of the glory of Napoleon
at its climax 1t about in 1907 that It reached
its zenith then there were no clouds interms-
sions nor lapses. The battle of Eylau was
fought in 1907, but it took place, If !
remember rightly, in the Winter, and the
ground, in NJ. Meissoniers picture, is covered
with the deep verlure of June At any rate Napoleon
stands on a mound in the middle distance beyond
which, beneath a brilliant, lightly dappled sky.
mighty battle is going Around him are his mar
shals and his aids. embroidered on all their seams
as the phrase is choking in their stocks and glitter
ing with their orders. The Emperor strides his
white horse and sits like Caesar on monument
to return the salute of the troops that are sweeping
past him. NJ. Meissonier paints him at the moment
when he was probably handsomest, the md-seasOn
between the meagerness of his earlier years and the
livid cOrpulcnce Of his later He looks in this
portrait small as II is, prOdigiOusly like man to
believe in. The foreground of the picture, to the
right, is occupied by a troop of cuirassers who are
gaOping / to action; they are the m0ritui who
salute the Caesar lmperatOr, and they form the real
subject of the work. They magnlcently painted,
and full will not say of mOyemr t-Meissonier, to
my sense never represents it-but Of force and com
pleteness Of detail. This colonel is exactly passing
the spectators, TO whom, he twists himself i'll his
saddle to lift his saber and below forth
his "VIve PEmpcreur!" he turns his back.
His pose, with it's stiened, elongated
ley its contOrtiOn III the saddle its harmony with the
laundering gallop Of the horse, is admirably rem
dered. Behind him come plunglng and rattng the
Others. with their long swords flashing white in the
blue air. their heads thrown back and turned to the
Emperor their mouths wide Opcn their acclamations
almost audible. their equipments Tapping and
jingng and their horses straning and catterng in
q common impetus They are trampling through the
high pOppy-strewn grass, where the crushed flowers
seem already like the spatter OF blood. To the left
there is slight interval filed, in the distance, with
the CLEAN of maneuvering squadrons beyond which
comes riding forward group of gorgeous hussars.
Ii bothered the spectators a little that they should