The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-01-24
ART MATTERS.

At recent sale of Mr. Charles Congreres
collection of water colors in New York prices
were realized ranging from $35 to $50.
An arrangement has been made by Signor
Rossi, on the part of the Italian art exhibit
ors, to have the works of painting and sculp-
ture which formed the Italian art exhibit at
the Centennial placed on exhibition in New
York.
Speaking of the famous Corcoran gallery,
Washington paper says: THE cost OF the
building and grounds was $3.50, 900. Mr.. Cor
coran's collection of pictures and statuary
was valued at 100000. The institution is
maintained by an endowment fund of $780,
OoO yielding an annual income at present of
$50, 900. Originally, according to the deed
and charter, the free admission of the public
to the galleries was limited 10 two days in
the week, but just before the first opening of
the gallery, the trustees at Mr.. Corcoran's
suggestion increased the free days to three.
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays per
sons are admitted, under certain printed reg
ulations, to the privilege of drawing from
the casts and copying the pictures"
A Roman letter describes figure by
Swiss sculptor in recent art exhibition
there: A youth is seated on a winged car
which is passing over clouds of vapor or
steam. The boy leans on his left leg; the
right one is stretched beck; the right hand
boys face is ali eager searching expression.
1t is bold idea; he has carried it out with
a certain degree of force, and the figure
would serve well for the pediment of a rail
way station. But the idea unluckiiy is finer
than the execution. The pose, while forci-
BILE, is wanting in simplicity of form; the
anatomy. too. IS poor; the body is meagre
and unattractive, and the face lacks ideality
in its expression. Still it is a clever crea-
ton, on the whole, worthy of maturer
study. and the sculptor deserves credit for
his attempt to lift himself out of the trtiing
subjects of modern sculpture.
From the studio of John Rogers the artist
in clay, continues to issue those pretty
statues and groups of sentiment and home
life which have made his name famous
throughout the country and favorably
known In other lands. His work shows not
only pains taking skill and care in working
out details. but imaginative, lofty patriot
ism and warm human sympathy, and it is
this last named quality which has assured
him so much success among the common
people Whatever may be said by the
sculptOrs in the higher walks of the forma-
tive art, who turn out perhaps one statue a
year, there is no doubt that Mr..
Rogers has already done much and
is destined to do more for the
cultivation of a correct taste on this
continent. His groups are worthy of study
and admiration. They are not beyond the
reach of the middle classes, and are found in
thousands of homes where no other plastic
image ever entered except the wretched car
features of life distributed by the plaster of
paris hucksters. Among the most attractive
of Mr. Rogerss recent pieces are Hide and
Seek" The Tap at the Window" Check
ers Up at the Farm, weighing the Baby"
''The Favored Scholar" and THE Shaugh-
raun''-quite as admirable in their way as
his former well known patriotic and anti
slavery groups, and "Courtship in Sleepy
Hollow" Coming to the Parson," and
other of the earlier sentimental illustrations.
This artist of the common people is now do
ing some of his best work.