New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-11

clothed all his works with an individual feeling and
charm that the lines of strict definition are blended
! toSe'ner, ana the paintings, despite their midi
Viduai character are brought into unity by the cX
preston of 2 universal sentiment. 1t is unmstak-
a, i lI't AHSton was not ut his best when under
'aking me strong, heroic subjects which were so
much 1n admired IN his time. and for which the Eng
fsn school OF West i'll which he studied, was so
famous. The least interesting works in this coec-
ton are those in which the artist has attempted TO
considerable groups of persons on absorbing occa-
Sl"mS, ana It is significant fact hat most of his
u'cohlP'ted pictures have to do with incidents OF
this character showing that the painters skill of
ha1d was not equal to his intellectual conception
oI Uai W ns ueVeopnsnt upon the canvas: nc
belshazzarS Feast" picture which. if finished
pass az other religious paintings in America, is at
pest but melancholy record OF failure. in spite of
once finished with the exception of the head of
Daniel, and in 1872 two friends of the artist were
was not pleased with the result and soon after re-
modelled and partly reprinted it. This picture
doubtless had more to do with Allstons death than
any other one cause, for he became completely worn
down and exhausted his nervous energy upon it,
even even spending long time upon il not more than
wants unity and balance of interest. although i'll
pars,,-snoh as the figures Of the Queen and the
astr0ioger-lt could not well he improved
Other unfinished works of historical Importance
are the Death of King John" one of the most
powerful paintings IN the exhibition in its express
son OF strong emotion in the agonzed face of the
King and the plying looks of the by ISLANDERS the
vas dwariing even the BclshaI zar'' and showing
IN chalk outlines some of the most graceful and
powerful grouping and drawing Allston ever pro
dnGed; q large and elaborate outline sketch of
"Iitanias Court" with 1.-THE and sinuous figures
whlrhng in rapid dance, and very learned in its
Christ Healing the Sick" which is worthy of
notice as containing the only figure of the saviour
that the ARTIST attempted, and OF which he frankly
sad That his hand could not express IN any AIDE
quatc sense the idea in his mind The face is &c M
passionate and judicial sorrowful and chasened,
but not divine, and the artist evidently wise
IN NOT attempting it in color. The only finished
picture which he Justly called historical is that
OF Haul and the Witch of Eudor.' and although
'h's Is cNquNltcly panied and well composed, IT
does not express either the wonder of the witch at
the shape she bad called mp the terror of the APP
partition OF samuel. or ihe guilty fear of the King
The agitation of the two Inen-at-arms in the back
ground IS after all, the only natural piece OF
expression IN the picture.
IMAGINATIVE ANr INTELLECTUAL WORK
When one leaves these ambitious groups AID
comes upon the pictures in which The emotions of
individual minds are described. he percevcs at
once the true direction and power of Allston's
method. In the EXPIRE Nsion of pure thought and re-
fined feeling he has had equals in this country
There Is nothing cheap trivial i'm the description
Of his hiGhkeycd conceptions and their force cx-
pressed with great simplicity and dircctnes4 and
without the introduction of any unnecessary detail
to guide the observer to sympathy with tie
painters plan. He seems even To have avoided the
selection of title which should give to the nnal-
precatve a clcw To his purpose, and to his cmhodi-
ment of thought and affection gave abstract names
"'''H H'lSh' iH themselves mean litrn nothing
This is seen in three pictures Of ideal female forms
entitled. "Ihc Valentine" "Rosnlc and " Bea-
tree for although IN the first lady is reading a
lovers letter she has deeper purpose 10 the spec
tator and although the MEDIEVAL favor of the last
might associate the figure with Dantcs heroine il
Is rather typical expression OF assured and tried
affection in all times and in all nations Upon
these three works and the Sisters two graceful
figures, of which that whose back and side of one
check alone shown. is, sin:ularlv enough the
finest aud profound in its expression of sober love
and deep emotion-thc fane of Allston MAY most
safely rest. Wonderfully painted, ana rs il breath
ing upon the canvas-for in pure lesh-paintin,
they are so complete 10 give an IMPRESSION of The
very liie-thcy express besides depth of chastcncd
ieeiing which gives acquaintance with all the re-.
hncnent and beauty of the artists mind tn,
Beatrice" is the most perfect Of these forms
deeply intellectual. wholly graceful pure in emo
ton, and joining together in n perfect Whole the
Graccs of thought and skill.
Expressive of different emotion than that Of
these inspired forms is the Fornelr in which
the heroine OF sponsors Facric Quccne is shown,
Tying on horseback from the wood. and looking
back with terrified face. The intensity of alarn
- modified by the hope of escape, aud the beauty of
lc race Is mar! ed, even in the stress its feeling
me craving of the ilguro Is admIrablc. and the
dress rstlss in the breeze the whoI rirct brnc m
rapid motion which is yet too slow for the mind of
the rider he drawing of the horse cannot be much
taxable. and the foreground 80 crampcd with de-
tails as TO- Interfere with the action OF the work
ihr3ug" the trees Is seen glimpse of a distant
landscape, full of aerial quality ana mv.tclioms
charm, IN strong contrast to The gloomy terror of
the wood. The " Lorenzo and .Jcssira" alt houyh
c0niainhe two figures, emphasizes ihc opinion that
Alstnn was nj his hes; in works ~ prrsSive of
simple sentiment. One thoughi-of conteutment
ana assured lovc-animates both faces which are
dIml lighted by the faint glow of the evening and
are framed IN SURROUNDINGS admirable in tone and
rlch rs ne paintings Oi GiOrgiOno in their subdurl |
yet Respondent, harmony of color. The Amy
tohsart," enthusiastic descriptions of which alc
handed down from the former exhibition Is one of
weak and faded in color. compared with the works
above ntnil oncd. and its sentiment seems atten-
nntrd' me head of Isaac OF York. with rugged.
id'al. Jewish face, is line example of Alsfons
more vigorous work, showing the imprnt. of a
strong mind and being as sturdy and fresh in color
as If painted yesterday.
In pure portraitnre there few cxampcs-a
realistic head of benjamin West "A fine portrait in
iWo-thlrds length, of gentleman sitting at :. writ
ing table; and half length of the artist himself
very graceful IN drawing and agreeable in express
tnge winch many of his early pictures share. A
geafe plcture-the only one in the collecliol-of a
'at, ricn publisher snceringy rejecting the manu-
SCRIPT OF poor lean author shows the existence of
quiet vcin of humor in Allston's colupositlon
There are several good landscapes of which an mn
tiinn sunset and "A moonlight are the most
meiltorious although none fully show the grand
style and sympathetic skill which mark his treat
ncht OF the ideal in tho human form. Numerous
othcr pictures and sketches displayed which
are worthy OF study, although the remarks aboyc
the author Of these works s revealed in fine bust
Dy CltVengcr, an intimate friend and associate Of
Alston ana sculptor of considerable ability The
exhibition Will remain omen during thc summer
ana ~ worthy The attention of all students of
American art.
SUICIDE From DESPONDENCY
Icnhardt Jaeger. q cabnptmalor of No roo