The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-27
ART MATTERS.


THE MATHEWS COLLECTION.
In many respects the collection Of paintings belong
ing TO Mr. Nathan Mathews. now exhibition at the
Kurtz Gallery, IL one OF tho most interesting which
has been ole red for sale this winter II is not large
collection and the works are very uneven IN quality
but the presence of great paintings lends
II deep interest Tor all who love art
IL 10 refreshing turn from the usual run OF pic.
lures which make up collections to Daubgny's great
landscape, representing an evening sunset. II IS
called in the catalogue Evening" and wc accept with
confidence the further Information tcndcrcdtbat It IS
master piece. No one who Il viii uouo, Tins as-
seriion for the moment tor, although the uneducaed
eye may fail to detect the qualities Of workmanship
which make great and winch subtle that only
the practsed eye estimate them at their rue value,
the impressive strength and delightful sentiment OF
the work cannot fail 10 appeal 10 all who look upon
this splendid The technical work is marvel-
ious and bears traces OF scrupulous Every inch
OF the canvas has been painted over aud over again.
and it's impossible to say how any effect has been
produced, because the whole picture IS made up OF
an infinite blending of minute details. In
examining the picture closely all The forms found
10 he modelled with marvellous detail so that there IS
not anywhere on the canvas plain surface or patch
OF positive color SO charmed some Of the artists
with this picture that proposition has been made "a
start subscription for lis purchase with the Object OF
placing II IN one OF our public art galleries. Tho
idea IS good one and II IS to be hoped that
II may DO put into execution. Another picture
OF great merit is Geromes Dante, which has become
known through tho medium OF engravings and photo
graphs. II represents the author OF tho 'ncrno' in
ono o his evening promcnadcs the object oi super
sttous wonder 10 the Italian peasants. The children
taking refuge with their mothers as s'thc who
had been IN hel passes by give us truthful enough
idea OF tho way in which tue immortal poet popu-
larry regarded during his lifetime. In composition
tins work is striking and impressive and Is irco from
many Of The defects which mar some OF tho artists
later pictures IL Is painted with all tho resources OF
Gerome's admirable technique. There is also fine
ample OF Tissot's work. representing the period when
no was an enthusiastic member Of the pre-Raphacite
school. IL called in the catalogue '.rhc Evening
Promenade" but this lame and insufficient
si.ie Tor tho picture Is full OF sadness.
artist has the last promenade oil cavalier In the Mid
do Ages before his departure for tho wars, aud the
serious and even sad sentiment which pervadcs the
composition carries out fully this idea The color IN
this work IS remarkably brilliant, as tho picturesque
Flemish costumes of the groups allow the in
opportunity 70 4 nsorns wn advantage orsss
works seldom seen in THIS country, is hero
represented by very fine pastoral subject represent
ing Brittany shcpherdess, anu group OF sheep
which admirably realized. This picture is painted
with great breadth and dircctness and completely
wipes OUT sheep picture by Verboeckoven, which
Acnonbuck, wholly distinct from tho canvascs,
which usually represent III this country this
clever painter. Corot, however Is not seen
to advantage, as his name Is attached TO one
OF those sketchy works which have rather injured
that great artists reputation AZ this side the water
IL is certain;y very clever, but II has OF the
and grandeur OF tho works winch made Coro
his great European reputation There Is a small but
strong canvas by Pslouse. whose works are seldom
seen in America. which viii give fair idea OF
his mastery style OF dealing with landscape
These, with half dozen OF hers have space
to refer make the glory Of tins collection. The
maining works OF tho usual knd-that is to say
neither very good very bad-but pleasant enough
TO look upon good enough tor those who have
the means to purchase really great pictures This col
lection VIII remain on Tree exhibition during tho week.
and Will he sold at auction on next Monday evening by
Mr. Somervic.