The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-26

AS Will be seen by our speciai caOic
despatch from Paris, published this morn
ing the great competitive art display ofthe
world, tho French Salon, was formally
opened yesterday. This annual event
brings together representative gathering
of the worlds talent, and in comparison
with it, in view Of its cosmopolitan charac-
ter and high artistic average of excellence,
the Academy exhibitions Mt Berlin, Vienna.
Munich, The Hague, this city, and even that
of the Royal Academy at London. are pro-
vincial in the character Of the display made
and in their aim. The freshness and
variety found in the Paris Salon are due
greatly to the fact that SO many OF the most
brilliant painters born in foreign countries
reside and paint there, visiting the lands OF
their birth or their other chosen fields OF
subject inspiration for but few months
each year. The art atmosphere OF
Paris is, therefore, different from that
Of oil other capitals, and peculiarly
stimulating to vigorous effort and to
improvement on the part of the resident
painters 1t docs not favor the unpleasant
similarities Of style which have become
associated with Rome, Munich, Dusseldorf
and Berlin. In the Salon each year this
freedom in general from the mannerism
of particular schools produces its
own especial charm. The masters
arc SO many and 80 dissimilar
in style that the work of the pupils, both
while under and when emancipated from
their influence, is pleasing and interesting
in its variety 2f perception and manner Of
treatment.
The standard required before works are
admitted is high, and rarely, if ever,
are paintings seen like those produc-
tions Of Academicians now hung in
the London Academy, which excite
the laughter and jeers Of the
critics and public and tend to lessen
the influence OF the institution. Admission
for their works to the Salon is boon de-
sired, and cherished when obtained by the
young painters of oil nations studying and
painting in France and by older hands
from abroad. Once this is secured great
step has been made, which gives forever af-
terward certain standing to the
artist and cachet to his exhibited
work. According to our correspond
ent tho present Salon has suffered
much from the art display made at tho
Universal Exposition. The artists of estab-
lished reputation are naturally DESTROYS of
being seen at their best Mt the great Worlds
Fair, and have sent there the chief of their
works painted since 1867. If among these
happen to be examples which in the ordi-
nary course Of events would have gone to
the Salon, ta,s PTS for the latter. Such cases
are tho opportunities of the younger men,
and it will be seen by our despatch that
they have taken advantage of this
one This action on their part mas
partly redeemed the Salon, and the dis
play, though not rich in striking or
very important works, is Of q good average
Of excellence. We are glad to see that our
American artists are better represented than
they have been for many years, and hope
that the number Of their works admitted
will continue on the increase
Our despatch also gives the chief prices
obtained and a description Of the examples
OF the older Of the painters represented in
tho great Laurent Richard collection, which
were the feature of the last day Of the sale.