Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-06-04

r. SSs~S AotniuS cruel III IaCt, uOtuiug
ranGorons, and as she is sure of
beng ebeyed, why should she affect
| a rnsnscing attitude and draw her eye.
brows down Ike a tyrant OF tragedy
jurisprudence, in her heavy mantle Of gold
| cloth, IS exceedingly handsome and of
nappy movement. The e.iasson robe of
the Jadge gives lively note, which does
not Jar IN this concert or fresh colors; this
parsonage. with his grey hair, has a noble
| and energetic profile. The two female
hgures which soar above are OF exquisite
iightness and grace. As to the child which
personihes Innocence. or rather the isno.
| cent, and which has no other protection
tian that OF the law, he IS adorabiy lovely.
NO one II tact since Correggio has painted
children IN more charming manner. This
beng, with its luminous and tender flesh.
Its supple limbs, as yet so feeble. which in
charming abandon sleeps with so much
confidence on the knees of Force, is as
touching and bewitchipg as possible. This
corner Of the picture, which detaehes
itself little from the principal scene, is
ons OF the most successful rieees. Paul
Baudry IS one OF the most hiehlv.cons;d-
cred artists Of France. and in esteem
stands above many others Of as cseat
reputation, owing TO his entire de-
votion to and love OF his art.
He bears a close resemblance to the masters
OF the Venetian school, who were the first
to impregnate their painting with light and
freshness. Far from denying this relation.
ship, he Is rather proud OF it, and with
reason. After having passionateiy admired
the most perfect manifestations of art and
having studied them with enthusiasm. he
has no foolish ambition to create e new art
but to profit by tie conquests of his prede-
cessors and to push further on if possible.
Mr. Paul Baudry was chosen by Mr..
Granier, the architect of the new Opera
House, to paint the decorative pictures
placed in the foyer, and which are now
constantly admired by all visitors to this
marvellous temple of art, although much of
their original brightness aud freshness have
faded, owing TO the harmful effect of the
gas light. It has been proposed to take
them down and have them replaced by
EXACT COPIES
In mosaic, but the school established at
Livre and attached to the mandatory of
Livre has not produced apt scholars suf-
ficient to complete the task in a reasonable
space of time. aud the project has been
abandoned. Since, different electric lights
have been tried, invented almost expressly
for this purpose, with as little heat as pos
s;ble enanating from the fame, but none
of them have proved satisfactory, and the
gas continues to fade these beautiful
pictures, much to the chagrin of all true
lovers of art. Before these pictures were
placed IN the foyer at the Grand
Opera House, they were exposed at the
Beaux-Arts, whittier all Paris focked
to look and critic;se, and although
it was agreed that the pictures were
all maryelously beautiful, fresh in
color and exquisite in drawing, yet all ac-
cused the artist of lacking in imagination.
However, this last great work of this art
ist has proved their judgment false, for
therein is displayed vivid Imagination,
marked with much intelligence and power.
In this same large room, on the wall to
the left, and covering it IN it's width, is the
picture Of Detaile entitled La Distribu-
ton des Drapeaux." In fact it is tnueces.
sary to read the inscription in order to fully
comprehend the subject, for any one who
may not have witnessed this
INTERESTING CEREMONY,
But merely heard it spoken of, would i'm
mediately comprehend it. The subject is
an ungrateful one, for in spite OF the relief
given by the gay uniforms of the officers
to the black coats Of the mass of Senators
and Deputies, there is little field left for
artistic effect. The audience stands in the
midst of Senators and ambassadors seated, |
whose forms are almost life size. A little |
further on stands Mr.. Grevy. the Presi-
- la4. prae,Ia,,+ IS
the Chamber of Deputies, and Mr.. Leon |
Say, the President of the Senate. To Judge |
from the pastures of all those surround. |
ing the President and of the officers on
horseback in front OF him, he is undoubt |
eddy making that speech of his filed with |
much patriotism and eloquence, and which |
all France heartily applauded. The Off
GERS on their handsome steeds, dressed in
their gay uniforms, holding flags in their |
hands, present most picturesque sight. |
The horses probably are the finest part of |
the picture; in fact, like his master Messon- |
nier, Detaille paints soldiers and horses in
a marvellous manner. Behind these prin- |
cipal officers extends the green grass,
fairly sparkling in the bright July sun,
and beyond that regiments and regiments
of soldiers all drawn up in line, then the
different tribunes filed with mass of hui
man faces. The figures of the Presidents,
Senators, Deputies, ambassadors and off
GERS are all correct likenesses, and one is
particularly impressed with the character
istic pose belonging to Gambetta in fact,
his friends state that did they not see his
face they would recognize him by that
alone. This picture is certainly not such
as YOU would care to have in your
boudoir, or even in your picture gallery
but in future years it will be invalu-
able to the French. nation, and is GER
tainiy destined to occupy conspicuous
place in one of the principal museums.
In this same room, opposite Detaille's pict-
ure, is one by G. Bertrand, which is not
even half as large, but suggests similar
| train of thoughts, since its subject Is
| g Patrie" The Prussian soldiers have cap
tured French flag bearer and are leading
him into camp ne is held upon horse by
number of Prussian cavalry, while one
| soldier on foot leads the horse. The
bearer hasIbeen wounded and is in dying
condition, but he clasps the flag against
his bleeding breast with holy fervor. The
| figures are all Efe.size and are strongly
painted, but there is even too sad strain
| throughout, and the Prussans themselves
seem bowed down by their victory;
besides, there might have been more light
thrown in TO relieve it of its oppressive
gloom I noticed great many fine por-
traits by the different great portrait paint
e-s of France-by Bonnat, Baudry, Car
olus Duran, Leon Glaize, j. P. Laurens,
Fantin Latour Hebert and others. Henri
Rochefort's picture is to be seen, painted
by the king of the naturalists, Manet, of
which shall write later. VAL.