The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1878-04-26
WAsHINeroN. D. C..

coran Art Gallery in Washington the
Capital Of the United States has be
come quite an art centre. No city in
the country, perhaps, can show as many
painters who, either rs professionals OF
amateurs, WELD the brush and iabble
in eolors. A life school of art has been
established in the city, and am told
that fine physical specimens of both
sexes are standing as models.
There is some expression Of disap-
proyal among American artists of what
they call a disposition on the part Of
the trustees of the Corcoran Gallery 10
encourage foreign artists, and to ignore
native American talent. There isdoubt-
less some truth in the Impeachment, but
the trustees, whose duty it is to select
and purchase the pistures, deserve more
praise than reprOach for the discrimina.
tion. True art belongs to no section
the Kesmos is its pat,iice, and 10 ennoble,
idealize, and perpetuate, its patriotism.
The gallery contains few pictures, by
American artists, of real merit, but the
worthiest pieces, it cannot be denied,
are foreign subjects by foreign artists.
Among the most imposing pictures,
both in size. subject, and treatment, is
"Csesar Dead, by the great French art
ist, Gerome It is said to be only a
study of what he subsequently repro
dueed in larger picture, where the as
sassins are represented fleeing from their
CHASTITY work. Her. only is seen, on
the blood-spattered marble of the Sen.
ate floor, the gashed corse of Cesar,
mufied in his mantle, retaining even in
the helplessness of death the imperial
dignity of the first of Roman emperors.
The picture shows a thorough knowl-
edge of color, form, and perspection,
and, like other pictures by the same
artist, is expressive of intense dramatic
feeling.
Among the pictures is one remark
able for its historic associations as well
as for its excellence as work of art.
1t is the "Adoration of the Shepherds, y
by Mengs, and it was bought from the
collection of Joseph Bonaparte, who
purchased it in Madrid during the brief
time his great brother was able to hold
him on the Spanish throne The artist
has reproduced the conception of Cor
reggie in his ''Holy Night" by making
the light of his picture emanate from
the infant Jesus.
The Death of Moses, a picture of
10 by l3 feet, is one of the early ambi-
tious essays of Alexander Cabanel, a
French artist, who has since become
famous. The painting, though merito-
rious in some of its details, is upon the
whole unsatisfactory, if not shocking,
fer the artist has attempted something
too high for mortal leach--a portraitel.
Of Deity. It was the purpose of Caba-
mel to represent the death of Moses as
described in the 34th chapter of Deuter-
onomy. The Almighty is represented
throned in air, pointing with one hand
to the promised land, but indicating
with the other that Moses is net to en-
ter there. Groups of angels sustain
the majestic form of the Jewish leader,
who lifts to God face expressive of
reverence, resignation, and trust.
One of tho largest pictures in the
gallery is the :: Drought in Egypt" by
Porteals, Belgian artist. The subject
is taken from the 43d and 44th verses
of the 18th Psalm: 'How he wrought
his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in
the fields of Zoar, and hath turned their
rivers into blood and their foods that
they could not drink" Aside from the
power portrayed in the expression of
such intense suffering, the finely drawn
groups and single figures furnish abund-
ant examples to the student of sacred
historical subjects.
A picture that has been very much
admired and copied renrosents a French
lady in the costume OF the time of Louis
XI. walking in forest attended only
by her dog For harmony of color
and rare grace of form this painting, by
G. G. Compile, is unsurpassed.
Niagara Falls" by Church, is one of
the most remarkable productions of
Americas greatest landscape painter.
It may be said that it represents all the
stupendous scene, not omitting sound
and motion, for these are powerfully
suggested in the relentless sweep, swirl
and plunge of the massy waters. 1t is
such realistic study of the awful cata-
ract that the beholder half hesitates to
too near the canvas.
Mr.. Church, who seems to delight in
water scenery, has another picture in
the gallery, A View of a River in
Grenada, which is perfect as compost
tion, and the foreground of tropical To-
liage, as well as the background, in
which the snow-crowned Andes appear,
are worked up with the delicate detail
and power which distinguish all the
paintings of the eminent artist.
The Corcoran Gallery is receiving
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