The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-09
WHISTLER VS.. RUsKIN.
CONCLUSION OF THE TRIL-DAMAGEs OF ONE
FARTHING-oPISloNs OF wHisTLERs ART

CONCLUSION OF THE TRIM-DAMAGEs OF ONE
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF wHIsTLERs ART
From the London Times. Nov ~
The trial of this action for libel resumed at the
sitting Of the Court The defendant pleaded that the
language complained OF fair and bonn dde criii-
cism upon pictures which the plaintiff had publicly
exhibited. After the presentation of the defendants
case by the Attorney General, Mr.. Edward Burne
Jones re-cxamned at some length in regard to a
painting by Titan. A bit of pleasantly on the
part of Baron Huddleston came about n this way
Mr. Bowen. OF counsel for Mr. Ruskin. wished TO
produce picture by Titan 10 show what was a I'm
shed work.
Baron Huddleston thought this going too far
The learned counsel would have to prove first that
the picturt was Titians.
Mr.. Bowen said he should do that.
Baron Huddleston referred TO the story OF the
genuine Titan which purchased by some art
lists TO determine the secret of that masters wonder
full coloring. On being rubbed down the explorers
found red surface. and exclaimed. Here's the
secret bu going little further in the
discovered that the red substratum portrait
of George III in militia uniform. qaughterl
After some discussion the picture produced
and appeared to be portrait Of Doge of Venice.
Mr. Edward Burne Jones described it as a beautiful
example OF Titian's works. II q portrait of
Andrea Greet, and splendid arrangement Of flesh
and blood. 1t q most perfect specimen of q
highly finished work Of ancient art. He considered
that Mr. Whistler possessed great power bnt had not
culties Of painting by not carrying his pictures far
enough. He had an unriyalled sense Of atmosphere.
The value OF this specimen of Titan depended upon
the accident of a saleroom. 1t would be worth many
thousands 10 him. but might have been sold for forty
guineas: Lord Elcho had beautiful Titan WHICH
he purchased for twenty guneas. 1t now belonged
to Mr.. Ruskin. Mr.. Whistler had almost unri-
vailed appreciation Of atmosphere. and his color
beautiful. especially in moonlight scenes; but there
his merit stopped.
TURNER CRITICIZED.
Mr.. Firth. r. A.. said he did not consider the pic
lures OF yr. Whistler which had been produced in
Court serious works of art. There beauti-
full color, but it was no more than could be had on
represent either moonlight water. The in
black and gold was not worth 200 guincas. He had
come reluctantly to speak against brother artist
and had only attended upon subpoena
In cross-examiaton. he said one of Turner's pic
lures The Snowstorm. had been properly de-
scribod by Mr. Ruskin a mass OF soap suds and
whitewash." Turner idol Of Mr.. Ruskins,
and should be OF all painters but that applied to his
early works. His latest pictures were as insane IS
the people who admired them.
Mr.. Tom Taylor an art critic, also expressed an
unfavorablc view Of the pictures exhibited by Mr..
criticism which he wrote at the time, in which he
said that they were only one step nearer pictures
ton, be admitted Mr. Whistler had high merit As an
artist, but all his work was unfinished.
CHARGE AND VERDICT.
The counsel each side having addressed the jury,
Baron Huddleston. in summing UP, said that if man
committed to paper language disparaging to another
and holding him up to hatred contumely and con-
tem,pt he Was guilty of = libel. The law presumed
malice. but that might be rebuttcd by the author of
the language proving that it was fair and bona dc
criticism Therefore the question in the present
for the jury whether Mr.. Ruskins pamphlet
a fair and bc,d fde criticism upon the plaintiffs
works: and IL for the defendant to make thdt
1t was the Importance that critic should have
full latitude to express the judgments he honestly