The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-02

ART MATTERS.
THE rIFTY-sEcoND ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF
THE ACADEMY OF pEsIaN.
Those happy children Of art who mako their homo in
this city assembled on Saturday in the spacious
exhibition rooms OF the Academy oil Design giving to
their works the last finishing touches bcoro allowing
the purchasing public to gaze upon them. Vanishing
day, MS It IS technically called, Is 10 artists
day Of emotions and surprises II not OF de-
lights. There scarcely any man so secure
In hts position his fame that does not look Tor
ward with anxiety to tho revelations OF that day of
trial. From tho very nature OF their calling artists
both sensitive and suspicious. IL 49, therefore, natu-
raj that they look with ttlo confidence the action
OF the dreaded changing Committee" whose verdict
s TO place their works the slime" and make them
happy elevate thor pictures far above tho line
OF vision to them from the observation OF
any but the most observing OF the human race.
UxAPPREciArED.
Then thcre the still ucklcss class whose n
appreciated genius shut out completely, md who
would be delighted to exchange places with tho
happy ones whose works hung near the sky. This
year there frightfu slaughter OF tho anoccnts
out OF some 200 pictures h.lie than nifty per
cent wcrc accepted. The remainder wero consigned
to the artists limbo--dccncd with thanks
TnE HANGING COMMITTEE.
Perhaps in all tho world there is NO position moro
thankless than membership OF an artistic changing
Committee" because, matter how conscientious ~
tho work OF arranging any exhibition OF pictures may
DO DONE for the ono man who Ii satisfied and con-
tcntcd at leust dozen dspleascd, disgustcd or
enragcd This year tho number of tho disappointed
surpasses all former experience, and from the number
and department OF tho artists who yesterday wandered
through the Academy rooms, swearing strange oa,hs
in tones not loud but deep, in fear for
the safety and wclbeing OF tho three who
pose this years 'Committce.n
CAUSE Discomfort.
That there Is ground for discomfort s acknowI.
edged all hands Even so amiable a man as Mr.
Story with cquanimty the largest and most
important work he has painted SGT up over tho
hcads OF tho spectators, while Immediately below IL
are two badly drawn and poorly painted canvascs,
which could very wc BIO put out OF sight without
jury to their authors or the public. Tho the
two Morans, Edward and Thomas is stili worse, for
two OF their finest works have banishcd from tho
cold comfort Of the corridor. There Is certainly
for this treatment In tho works which have
been 80 hardly dealt with. On the contrary, all tho
artists whose opinion is worth anything unani.
nous in their condemnation OF the action OF Hang
ing Committee toward the Morans, and In this the
public will not TAIL to support them. Edward M0rans
fine painting, "rhc Harbor OF New York." is one OF
tho very bcst works Of this class which has
ever Lett his easel II OF those paintings which
would command attention and applause IN any exhibl.
ton, and yet no better place could be found Tor
10 iii space over tho entrance door to the North
Room, ut The head OF tho grand staircase In order 10
get glimpse OF IL the visitor will bc compelled take
up a position the door OF tho South Room, ana,
resting on the ratings, WOW 1t the OF
staircase,
ADVICE TO VISITORS
We would advise short-sigh;ed people wishing TO
examine this PICTURE whch--wo may remark pircn.
thctcay-is one OF the very best in the whole exh,.
telescopes Thoy will ind plenty Tor the SO aids
IN trying to get sight Of number OF less
ward Thomas Moran's picture which occupies a
place the line in tho corridor, is a landscape
remarkable for ts vgor and originality, and Is worth
whole room full OF some OF the common place pic
lures which have found a resting place tho line
We might say the interior limo. Another victim OF tho
corridor y James O. Thorn, whose fine picture, For
gotten Cares, IS hung the door the East Room
where It is absolutely impossible to see II. Another
charming iittlc picture by the same artist has been
exalted until II literally may be said TO touch COIL
Ing.
UNPLEASANT RuMoKs
For these and many other faults Of Judgment the
Hanging Committee must be held severely RESPONSE
BILE. There not wanting voices to proclaim that
personal causes have had good deal to do with the
fragrant cases wc have cited, and this suspicion
that will not fail TO be entertained by the intelligent
part OF the pubIic when they come to compare tho
merits OF the works which have with
favor and OF those which have been ostraciscd.
Nothing would be moro unfortunate for the
interests Of the National Academy Of Design and Of tho
artists body than that the public should faith
IN the harness and dsnerestcincss OF the manage.
ment OF the Academy exhibitions IT, IN the hurry OF
arranging the works for exhibition, injustice
done inadvertently, II IS no, yet too late any
errors oil judgment. There Is time enough before
tho public admitted To view the works 10
make such changes will meet with general approval.
IL we might venture To advise the Hanging Commit
we would suggest that they take the OPINIONS OF few
OF the best known artists In reference the works
have mentioned and on their advice make sncn changes
as Will relieve the Academy exhibition IRON all suspi-
clifton OF unfairncss toward individual artists
cHARAcTEk or THE WORKS
There Is a noteworthy Improvement IN the quality Of
the paintings exhibited this year, and general
dict declares the present annual exhibition tho very
best ever held IN the Academy OF Design. There
no dissentients 10 this view. Even the mon whose
pictures are put out OF sight enthusiastic the
numerous good paintings which crowd the walls. And
the most pleasing feature Is the presence OF largo
number OF young and rising men. In this relation
there ~ everywhere evidence Of opposing schools
nghtng Tor supremacy
GENEROSITY THE ABSENT.
Tho American students OF the Munich school muster
In great force and have been with great gcncr
boon fairly dealt WITH and certainly the Hanging Com
mittcc deserve all possible praise for The generous
way IN which the younger been been treated Tho
absent have been specially well cared Tor,
Tor the harsh treatment dealt TO Of the resident
artists. some one remarked that 1t was much better
TO be nm American artist IN Munich Paris than
New York, and do not think any higher compli-
love OF fair play 10 the who able to attend
TO their own interests.
THE LUCKY ONES
Among the works which have found a 6tting resting
place on the line OF honor none attracted more gen
cral or more favorable comment than two large land
scapcs by George lnness. ono deals with that very
charming but difficult matter To handle, an American
autumn landscape. This work IS bright and luminous
color the crudcncss OF the autumn browns and
reds has been lar subducd TO
into harmony with tho clear luminous day
light OF wido extending country. Tho treat