New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-12-25
AMERICAN ARTISTS AT PARIS.
A FOREIGN CRITICS OPINION.
PROMISE OF Az ART THAT WILL BE NATIONAL AND
"nJCH IN LOCAL TRUTH"

A FOREIGN CRITICS OPINION.
PROMISE OF Az ART THAT WILL BE NATIONAL AMI
"nIcH IN LOCAL TRUTH"
The Gazette des Beaur Arts published in Paris, the
oldest and most conservative Of European journals
devoted to the ne arts, in its monthly number for
October, in an article by N. Paul Lefort, on the
Foreign Schools of Painting represented IN the Ex-
position, speaks thus OF the works OF American ar
fists In tho American Department:
In the United States at the present time, the Guy
governments private associations, and the departments
OF public education IN the several States OF the union
are rivalnR another I'm efforts to encourage anu
extend n the schools instruction in the arts OF design
theoretical well practical Museums are being es-
tabshed and every day they enriched and maze more
complete by gifts and purchases. The success Of all
these prasewoFthy efforts is witnessed TO by marked
and regular In the arts. II VIC look no further
than expositIons cannot fail TO see that
the year 1855 both taste for the arts end the
practical cultivation of them have greatly increased IN
the New World. Al first Exposition there were
hardly ten American painters represented. In 1867
there were perhaps forty ana to-day the catalogue OF
American the Of no less than eighty
seven-painters, erc0lorsts and engravers, whose
united contribution amounts to 165 works. Among
these 127 pictures and tweDtythree watercoiors
and drawings. These figures eloquent in themselves
Born but yesterday, without history, without apast
0
National art In which the temperament the cherac'
and the humor of race are as were translated
aud cOmpacty summed up But IL may be that the time
not far when of the present confused mixture
of native originality ana OF traditions borrowed from
the ancient and modern schools OF this old Europe OF
ours there will spring art Of their own rich IN local
truth and smoking OF the soil. The active American
sap to-day ana spreads through all the branches
Of the tree. ami In the Exhibition in the Champs de
Mara there is much more than vague promise OF
Spring We meet there the herads and even the nrst
signs OF a vigorous awakening close at hand.
Among the pictures exhibited We find "A considerable
number that have figured in our recent salons. the
Funeral of Mummy" for example, by Mr.. Bridgman,
pupil OF Gerome. who Ia drawn to the old aud mysteri
Gus Egypt and who applies his skill both as archae
oost and coorst set before the ceremonies aud
the rites OF her religion Another picture by the same
artist. AlIahi AIlanp represents two Mussulmans
praying mosque OF the most perfect MOORISH arch
lecture
whole colony Of industrious American painters has
planted itself In a of our rude Brittany ana
abors there depict the austere landscape or to Tx
upon the canvas the secluded al manners
Of the people Robert Wye, the artist Of the Breton
Fortuue-teer" exhibited In the Salon Of 1872 died III
Brittany year ago. He wholly devoted to Breton
subjects. The "StOryeller" (CORtenr des legendes),
his last work, In the Salon OF 1875
and we meet again In the American Depart
ment the Death OF yendean Chief" also
one Of his important pictures strong In tone, but little
sombre, owing TO the artists too much use OF black
Mr.. Hoyenden sends from Pontaven. In Finsterre, a
.'Breton INTERIOR" scene In the Chouan war, more
picturesque than moving and to which we prefer this
other Breton Interior" signed by Dir. Alden Weir:
woman sits spinning, and the shade the husband
gravely smokes his pipe. Here we have composition
almost naT its simplicity but well painted and show
ing observation. In the ''sabotmaker" OF Mr. Edgar
Ward who exhibits also "a Fountain. Venice" the
color IL clear but aOored, heavy. and not without the
appearance OF q certain dryness.
II there Is resemblance 10 Milet and 10 Jules
Breton In the Reapers Reposng" of Mr. Wyatt Eaton,
whose other picture Reyerie" portrait no doubt, is
free enough execution. there also good deal OF tho
School OF Dusseldorf the IN Bay aria
OF Mr.. Walter shirlaw. II" Cerise." by Mr. Hamilton
reminds COurbet. and this is no sighting compari
son, the View OF Venice" by MIR. Geduey Bunoe, may
with honor suggest the best lessons OF the studio OF
Aem A Page" by Mr.. Shade is a charming Italian or
soanish canvas like the Marguerite" by the same
artist by whom small portrait, Ny Visitor Of Every
Day. pass without notice. its execution is re-
markedly distinguished and delicate.
There are plenty OF pictures remaining, portraits.
landscapes or competitions which remind OF one or
another Of tho schools and masters OF to-day. For
ample the Oaks at Crpedmuor" OF MT Miller, and the
Paradise Valley" or Mr. LntIrge. both OF which
closely related execution and In feeling, TO the Eng
Iish school; the Land. Landp OF Mr. Henry Bacon,
pupil OF Cabane and Of E. Frere; the Portrait" by
Cassatt. which belongs Impresslonst schools
Landscape" Oy SIR. Gay, artist who seems to ne
omulating toe powerful and con'rasted tones OF NJ
Mchett; view OF ST. Peters Church. Rome" by Mr.
lnness half Impressionls half Italian; the Cumean
sbyl" and the Young Marsyas." OF Mr.. yedder, who
follows the English tradition OF the Preraphaelites
finally a 4" New. England Landscape" by Mr.. Wyant.
who mingles with his studies after the old English
masters little OF the sentiment OF Theodore Rousseau
put there Ia "A sreup of
give evidence OF the possession OF originality and
independence whether 10 the choice and composition Of
their subject in the character and sentiment OF their
design aud colorins. OF those Mr.. wnsow Homer is
one Ills negro subjects. " The VISIT TO the Old Mis-
tress and sunday Morning In Virginia." are small
pictures, little sad aud provincial IN appearance, but
expressive smpehearted. and wha true native SAVIOR
Some landscapes also OF absolute sincerity of obser
walton recommend themselves to our attention Such
are the "Cedars OF Mr.. Swain Clifford Mt Renter"
by MT. Sanford r. Clifford; the T" Forest" and the
"sprmg" OF Mr. VIM. I. Richards the EmiRrant
Wagons Crossing Stream OF Mr. Colman the School
House on a Hin" Of Mt Thompson. A " View in
Duane-st, NewYOrk" (Un coin de Ia de Ia Douone
-Ed), by Mr. Tiffany, with Its little shops booths
built against the taller houses or the color OF chocolate
their signs aud their painted inscriptions. gives per-
fectly true OF the locality Mr. Quatley has
painted morning effect In New-York harbor which Is
exquisite in its ransparence and decacy and finally
Mr. Dana, who also exhibits very beautiful study Of
the sands at Dnan." rises IN that grandose page
which he calls Solitude" to q remarkable height of
sentiment aud poetry Nothing could be more striking,
more threatening. terrible than this sea- black,
tremendous. whose pillows rs they climb and tumble one
upon another aud open to the frightened eye the mys-
FERROUS deep. are lighted by tho moon.
TONNAGE OF THE CANALS