Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-04-25
MODERN FRENCH PAINTERS.
y. WHITMORE,
Publisher and Proprietor.

Description OF some Remarkable
WORKS of Art that are an PrepaFa-
ifOu-EHOrts of VtberI, GerOme,
DetaiIIe and others.
The Paris correspondent of the
London Daily News thus writes to
that paper:
NJ. Vibert Is painting for the sa-
lon what must prove a surprise to
his admirers, and cause a consider
able sensation. A picture repre-
senting the "Apotheosis of NJ.
Thiers," at time when the peo-
Piles grief at his loss is still quite
fresh, will attract much attention,
especially when signed by a name
so popular. A collection OF NJ.
Vibert's amusing genre subjects
will be seen at the Universal Exhi-
bition. lie chooses to send to the
salon this attempt of a very differ
ent nature. Here are some of the
impressions from the picture as
seen while still unfinished in a
room not large enough to allow a
Judgment of its general effect. M.
Thiers was always a friend to the
artists. Some of his earliest liter
ary efforts were criticisms on the
salon. Later, when he welded Il
powerful political influence, he ex-
erted it on behalf Of deserving
genius; aud during the disasters of
the commune, next to his solicitude
for Paris came bis anxiety for the
works of art on which he had
lavishly expended q large part Of
his fortune, which he had selected
with much discernment, and which
were to him such source of con-
stant delight in moments of leisure.
It is fitting that the statesman who
cared for them should in turn be
honored at the artists hands. N.
Vibert's composition, of heroic pro-
portions, represents the mortal
remains of the departed patriot
lying 10 state. The head, seen
in profile in the bloodless Figidity
of death, is an excellent like.
ness. About his head are
grouped the many decorations with
which his own country and the
sovereigns of other nations had
honored him. At his feet stands a
young woman in black, her droop-
ing head is covered with mourn
ing veil, in her hand she supports
one end of a large French flag
which falls down over the corpse.
1t is the Youth Of France weeping
at the feet of her beloved dead.
just above the catafalco an angel
with gilded outspread wings points
upward. In front of the body are
scattered in great profusion crowns
of amethysts, one bearing the mot.
to: "To the President Of the Re
public" In the distance is reprs.
sented funeral car drawn by
plumed horses, and followed by a
mourning multitude. At the right,
in the foreground, lies the form Of
a slaughtered woman. a victim Of
civil war. Beyond, Mont Yalerien
and other forts are dlscharging
their cannon. The movement is
dramatic and the execution of the
whole is worthy Of the fame of the
artist. NJ. Detaille, N. Meissonnier's
most gifted pupil, who treads SO
clearly in the steps Of his master
will unite at the great exhibition
nine interesting canVases which
have been admired and have re-
oeived medals at previous salons,
and also six military subjects in
water colors. To these he will add
his new, large painting, eight feet
in length, representing Bonaparte
in Egypt. The likeness Of the
French general and of his staff, all
the details Of costume, with the ac-
cessories necessary to a huge army
on a long march, are rendered with
minutest accuracy, and all this on
a scale of unusual size.
Another work Of peculiar inter
est for the great exhibition viii be
"The Gladiators," colossal group
in bronze, by NJ. Gerome, who for
his talent in painting has this
month been promoted to be COM
mander Of the LEGION Of Honor. 0