New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-02-24
ART NEWS AND COMMEN rs.
THE WEEK In ART CIRCLES.

The present season will witness the appear
anoe Of few American works OF art which be
ranked 90 really serious and Important Mr.. Innesss
"Niacara has been already exhibited and there will
probably be opportunity later Of seeins Mr. Thomas
! Hovendon's John Brown" Mr.. Hovcuden hRs been
engaged upon this picture for two years In tho e
| town Of Plymouth Meeting Philadelphia. The
subject was which many reasons had attracted
his interested attention. and the commission for the work
| awarded by business OF this city cOincided
thoroughly with his wishes and ambition. Mr.
HovendeD spent some time in visiting tho OF John
| Browns raid and death. At Plymouth Meeting and
elsewhere he has encountered several OF the old abO
tlonistS and others who had personal acquaintance
with his subject Mr. Hovenden has selected the instant
when Brown his way the galIows paused to kiss
negro child. The group OF figures upon the canvas IA
arranged In easy lines tending either side toward
Brown whose tall appears nearly In the centre OF
the composition. He has stopped the two lower stops
OF the little stairway leading from the Jail door. His left
hand gsps the rude railing and his hoad and body are
inclined toward his left he kisses the child held
up IN its mothers arms. The tiny round black head
contrasts sharply with Browns flowing white beard
The little ones ia stretched out mpusively and con
fdingly toward him. Browns arms are pin0ned put MS
right hand which Is OPEN IL extended In gesture full OF
mute pathos On tho step him stands tho sheriff
in bOOt loose OyercOat and SLOUGH bat holding the
death warrant hand his head thrown back and
hand raised II In the scene before him
Just behind him of his officers leans forward and IN
the doorway % the rude building appear other figures
their faces expressive OF mingled emotions On the left
of tho observer. soldier in gray uniform and huge soft
hat turns his toward the crowd behind him which he
Is forcing back with the butt Of his conspicuous msbct
The space directly IN front of Brown is OF course cleared
for his way to the galOws On the right appear other
soldiers with the faces OF spectators In their rear Iho
background Of picture formed by the rough wall of
the jail Both the oonycrgng lines OF the composition
and the accentuaon given by tho beard and
of John Brown direct attention at once to him as the
central point OF the picture The In his details has
aimed far as possible at historical He first
painted Brown In gray suit or Clothes but learning that
brown clothes worn. Mr. Hovcnden made the
alteration, which involved change In the tone OF MS
picture almost throughout. Another comparatively
uuiinportant change was made when Mr.. HcVenden
found that Brown wore old fashioned sarpe slippers In
his walk to the gailows. In the likeness Mr Hovonden
has naturally had 10 various portraits and he
fortunate enough 20 obtain as a IN odei man
said by those qualified to Judge to bear striking re-
sembance John Brown This painting will be one OF
unusual Size perhaps four feet wide by or eight In
height II Is not yet completed. and Mr. Hovenden may
not therefore bo able It to the coming Academy
exhibition, although this will DO done II possible. In
any picture will probably be placed exhibit
ton this city at some time before the close OF the
spring.
Mr.. Oliver L. Warmers statue OF William Lloyd |
Garrison Is approaching completion at the same time
with Mr. HOyenden's work. Mr. Warner prosonts his |
subject sitting in large carved arm chair The head Is
turned toward the right the right shoulder il slightly
advanced, and the right extended nearly at full |
length the hand which holds roll OF manuscript, |
resting upon thigh The right leg Is bent the knee
lnoinng outward tho foot close 10 the char
left hand grasps the arm OF the char ana the LETT
"A N Is bent thus throwing tho shoulder slightly back.
The LEFT leg is extended the foot appearing for few
tlo Wl
present The plane Of the trunk forms small angle
with hat of the char-back. and tho effect or the
treatment Of the LETT arm is to give an impression OF re
pressed action which. however is by means obtrusive
Th, Is in the front vicw in which the broad planes tell
with spirited and harmonious effect IN the side views
fine sweeping lines of the composition enhance the noble
and Identified appearance of the work. In the primary
but greatest qualities. the treatment of the masses or
values 10 borrow word from pictorial art the sculptor
has been finely successful Further than this IL II i'm
bc to CO. since details yet incomplete and
tho modelling will require another month of work,
extended comment present would be ont OF place IInay
DO added that Mr. Warner has resigned himself to the
a,polcs modern costume although the base Of the
chair may partially drapod 10y disposition of cloak
or oyereoat But it Unfair the artist dwell any
length upon an unfinished statue This biCt description
tell, only IN Il very eeacral way tho chief points OF
tie sculpors presentation OF his subject This statue
will probably leave the cuptors hands ion the bronze
foundry IN April or May.
Meantime the casting Of Mr. Warmers statue Of ex-
Governor Buckin cham has been nearly completed at
Philadelphia bronze foundry. This statue de
-cribcd in Tai TRIBrNE last year Some tlme ths
spring VIII be put in place in the wing Of the Capitol
at Hartford where the battle flags Of the Connecticut
regiments arc hung.
The Union League Club Is to add another 10 - already
long OF portraits. and # is reasonable 60 expect that
tho commission will result in Of the most important
examples of portraluro of the year The subject Is the
rc1cred and ancntcd Peter Cooper and the artist Mr. j.
Aden Weir Mr.. Wcir represents Mr.. Cocpcr as seated
writing tahlc This picture will be probably toe seen
at OF the spring exhibitions
II Is understood also that tho young 0crre painters
Mcssr- Urch MOeller and Mrr.who have come forward
within iLo la,t TWO ycais are preparing ambitious w,L.
tnr t oil cThi5o4s But the lack OF gerrc pantin il
less apparent than the dearth OF such serious and
para graphs.
The appearance Of the has had marked ia
voablo effect upon the attendance at the Waer dior TX
Catalogues hayp been sold Between twenty and thirty
etchngs haze found purchasers during the past week.
Including both single and season tickets nearly 5000 |
have been disposed Of. Among the watercolors sold
by Charles L. Dana. Sl25; After the shower" by f.
X NJ Rchn $500: Morning nc Moutauk by A. I |
Rrcher, 500; Wow in GRENADA James T. Hind
500; and" Evening ia Algeria by Samuel ColmaD,
500
The exhibition OF Mr. Eugene MoeGss works to hc
opened the American Art Gallery Tuesday includes
several paintings OF Venetian and Italian subjects IA
which the artist has made the most Of brilliant costumes
and attractive accessories. " \ GOudOla Party"
"a Loves OF Venice" Hall at the Golden Ilon" aud
" Tales Il "a Grandfather" are among the pictures which
may be at this gallery for tho noXt two weeks.
Next Thursday win be tho last day which those
have already received cards Will he admitted Mr..
gallery This gallery will not be opened 10
AGAIN this season, ami the already set
forth in this may prevent pUblc opening next
year.
Tho leading Illustrations OF The N0gG-no ~ Art for
March are Lcnach's The orphan; Eugene DeacrolX's
Sc Nicrrinn Iades;" In tho Marshes" BY W ROeess,
90 Tnr,,lrn." by II. Pabst; Fatim1," by l.. f.
I,rrv,fna and reproduction. OF l'ri's bdSts OF
Carn,ir Rotrou aud AleX, PirOn. These Illustrations
accompany papers by CosnO M0ukhouse upon Some
I,culr.- of ('hllrOn -; 10y j. Arthur Blake upon !
Tho nxhILiilnn NJ TIM .lInla |