The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-04-21

THE PICTURE SALE.-Picture auctions
are not generally regarded with favor by
connoisseurs, while artists stigmatize them
as the sale OF canvas painted by the
yard and turned ont Wholesale upon the
market TO gull the simple. Nor have those
offered of late 10 the Richmond public
escaped such criticism; some, indeed, were
an insult TO common intelligence. 1t is all
the more gratifying, therefore, to see col
lection OF oil-paintings to be auctioned
to-day at No. 1907, opposite the post
office, worthy OF high commentator.
In this instance we have altogether modern
paintings, the average OF which is good,
while some have decided merit, and may
well grace the parlor OF any gentleman OF
taste. Most OF the figure subjects are, OF
course, copies, for no artist OF reputation in
that department sells bis works in this
way; but good copy is far preferable to a
bad original. Among these we were struck
with By-bye-Call Again." The faces
are pretty and tender in color. The bare
arm Of the hostess is gracefully posed. well
drawn. and pleasing in color. On the other
hand. many OF the landscapes are original by
contemporary artists, and, as usual in such
collections, are by far the more merltorl-
Gus.
Nos. 30. 40, 100, and 135-Scenes in Scot
tlsh Highlands, by c. Ii. Roe-are the most
striking pictures in the collection, which
cultivated lady OF that land says have all
the characteristics CT that country IN to-
biography, cooriDg, and growth. They are
in low KEY, cool and quiet in tone. The
first-hoary Ben Lomond-wants loOsenng
IN the middle ground, and would be i'm
proved by gleam OF light across toe
centre.
The winter scenes OF Richter are delight
ful cabinet pictures, and are strongly sng-
ge>tive of fur-coat ard snow-shoes. Pic
lures OF this season too often look white
washed. The artist knows that snow is
white he therefore LAYS on crude Chinese
white wherever snow can fall with tone or
color; but here one feels the snow in the
air and looks dmly through the driving
fakes. Particularly Is this true OF no. VI,
called Snow-Storm.'
No. 7O-St. lago de Cuba, by T.. ID.
Lewis-has pleasing luminous effect in
the flying clouds, while the details are cor
rect.
No. 76-View in Surry, England, by L.
w. Willams-is good; also, No. 36-his
| 'Scene in Kent, England"
No. 45-nalan Coast Scene, by j. 5. Ar
nold-is another very attractive picture.
The Cabinet Marine Views-Nos. 3, 4,
and so, by w. Thornbury-are full OF
movement both in sky and water.
The "Interior OF Sheep Co" and "Sheep
at Pasture" cabinet size, by Van Lumput-
ten. are particularly good in texture.
No. 99-another scene OF sheep, 25S40,
by Cortez-represents them lying comfort
ably In their winter quarters, while al
around is showed up and frozen. The
texture OF the sheep is admirable, and The
landscape dashed in boldly both as to draw
ing and effect.
There is quite the best copy we have seer
OF Rosa Bonheur's "Horse Fair" by Ber
trand.
We have but little fancy for still-life paint
ling, as it is called-though why it shoult
be, where there is no life, we cannot tell
but we cannot pass without mention OF ont
admirable OF its kind. "Mynheer's Lunch
by Harnett, represents a stone mug OF beer
fanked by a M nerschaum pipe with Zig stem
and horn mouth. piece, supported by blu'
paper of tobacco, and backed by copy ol
some newspaper. Immediately in The fore
ground lies an old-time sulphur inatch-i
piece of perfectly realistic painting, as th'
whole picture is necessarily to be at al
good.
There are other good pictures. 60 ano
see them. They are TO be sold by auction
by Mr.. John Z. Laughton.