National Republican., 1884-03-01
NOT MUCH or A COLLECTION.
Prof Eugene Field PcSses Upon the
WORKS or ART ~ tno C0Ft1fHh uaiiefy.

Prof Eugene Field Prsses Upon the
WORKS OF hrt ih tno C0FC1fah uaiiefy.
MIR. Eugene Field. art critic of the Aurora
tlll.) Ddily Nc,rs, visited the Coreoran art gal
lery OH Thursday last with several noted
local artists and literary people and some
members Of the diplomatic corps. The com
pany had always been proud Of the
Corcoran collection, but 10 was an nm.
certain kind of PRIDE and needed the au-
thoritative dictum or IL truly great art critic
to make IL entirely satisfactory. It was with
feelings of great soliuitudu, therefore, that
they brought Mr.. Field TO bear at the proper
angle on the picture of The Death of Moses"
by Uubanel, tho largest painting in the gal
lcry. The company formed semiCircle
around Mr.. Field aud waited. There was n
painful silence for several minutes. Mr.
Field adjusted his eye-gass to his right eye
not to the left eye, as Is common with ordi-
nary critics-looked at the angels, then at
Moses, and exclaimed, "AhW The
company was startled as by an
electric shock, but settled down
TO earnest attention when Mr.
Field began the following monologue, not at
ell in dictatOria way, but rather hs il talk
ing to himself: "Wheh an artist undertakes
to make feet the chief teGi-ure-ta, ha--of bis
picture he ought to make some study Of them,
make their acquaintance, as IL were. 1t isn't
bOdy's parlor TO do 1t; he can go TO almost any
shoemakers shop and sithround and keep his
eyes open. This Mr.. What's his-name,
ah, Cubanel, probably never saw q bare foot
in his life. He ought to have known
that o mans toes lie close together,
aud don't point five different ways,liks that.
Then he has forcshadowed this corn in the
most absurd manner" After pause, during
which Mr.. Field appeared to be buried in
deep thought he continued "Ubbn the
whole, | think Mr.. Cubanel should have
painted Moses in socks. 1t would hh1e been
moro in accord with modern notions Of deli
cacy. Really ! can't say that | admire your
Mr.. Cubanel Who is he2 New York man,
suppose. Better set him to painting signs
for barber shops"
1t was a sad company which led Mr.. Field
away from Moses and guided him through
the galleries. IL grew sadder every minute.
Paintings, statuary. bronzes, ceramic ware,
all came under his coldly critical eye only to
be condemned. Only in the hall of antique
sculpture before the figure of the Genius of
Eternal Rest" did Mr.. Fields face show the
slightest sign of pleasure. He assumed pre-.
cisoly the attitude of the statue and everyone
in the company instantly remarked the as.
tonishing resemblance between the cast and
the living figure. I'm my early manhood"
smilingly explained Mr.. Field, I" was the
president of the Society of Eternal Rest
The only exertion permitted TO the members
was that necessary for breathing, eating, and
drinking. / was once fined two glasses Of
peanuts for carrying cane. | was perpetual
president of the society, however, because l
could stand more rest than any of tho other
members. 1t was while held that important
office that | posed as the model for this
statue. The sculptor had the assistance of
my suggestions. You will observe that it is
the only perfect figure in the gallery