The New York herald., 1878-12-30

Midsummer Retreat" Eastman Johnson's SUNDAY
Morning., Eaton's '.Harvesters at Rest and j. +.
Aeir's Casting the Shaft.
The illustrations have nearly if not all, appeared
in the Art Journal, published here by the irm
though in some cases they have been recut. Tho
reading matter is or rewritten from the authors
work III that publication with the exception OF some
opinions which he quotes from his own writings
there, and part of the article George
nness, which he states in his preface originally APP
pearcd in HarPevs Magazine. He says there also. with
modesty--our appreciation OF his work. however
prevents from agreeing with him entirelythat the
chief interest of the text in which many of the pain
ters appear in their behalf lies in its autobiog
raphies, which are as many and as comprehensive
the circumstances permitted The opinion of the
artists ON their art. however. do form an attractive
and instructive feature for gain better knowledge
Of the value and meaning of their work through
their opinion OF art in general and OF the productions
Of Others.
The author, in his well written and impartial
sketches of the different artists gives brief history
of their lives, criticisms OF some of their most inn
portant works and analyses of their stylcs-justy
appreciative where there is cause-with few words
pointing out their chief defects; chats with them
about their methods of work and their ideas of art
and celebrated artists and mentions the present
possessors of their most noted pictures. The
painters descriptions where they are given, of their
methods OF attack. theories of composition and
palette technique will be found especially interesting
The text as a WHOLE will do much toward instruct
ing the laymen who read it, and will give them
. better opportunity OF appreciating the work
Of the painters written about and OF
understanding their meaning and the stand
points which they take i'll their translatons
or the beauties of nature found both in landscape
don says:-The future of art in this country is just
subject not unpleasant to contemplate. Our
leading young artists have received liberal educa
ton in the best academies of the world; art
schools are multiplying their number and resources.
many of them under the direction Of these well
equipped pupils lay appreciation and love OF art are
vsibly increasing. and at least earnest
and women are hopefully waiting for
new revelation Of the beautiful in Nature.
Selfconceit and the Incidence proceeding theretrom
smaller than formerly. Americans coming
to talk less of American art of Munich art of French
ri Groa ri and m hink NJ rt kspIf
Of art made tongue tied by authority art that
initiates Nature. but art that using the principles on
which Nature works, produces creations of its own.
while criticism itself. properly and whoesomcly i'll
tolerant of imperfecton. is nevertheless becoming in
its aims. more constructive and less destructive,
standing with the artist where he stands and recog
uzing his purposes az well as his processes and re-
suits The outlook is to some extent really promis-
ing and il the love of Nature, the desire for knowl
edge and the manly persistence in toll which charac
terize the most cultured of painters, shall con-
inue the leaven will be enough to perineatc large
ump."