Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-28
CHRIST BEFORE PLATE.
RAGGED HEBREW TIE FIRST
TO ATPR ACT THE EYE.

caisphas and Pontius PLATE Seen Next
Nunkacsy's Conception of Christ
similar to thst of the Artists OF the
Old schools -The Artists Fame as a
whistler.
NEW YORK, Nov. 27.-lt was rainy
night in the city. The streets were sloppy.
Little pools of water glistened on the
sidewalks of Twenty-third street. Elec-
trio carbons threw of misty, uncer-
tain light. A steady stream of humanity
wss pushing down the stairway of the
sixth avenue station Of the elevated rail-
road. A chill wind from the North river
hlew in the face of this stream, and sent
windrows OF rain rolling toward Broad
way. A few stragglers folded drippin &
umbrellas preparatory to sauntering into
Roster & BiaPs garden. A canopy was
stretched across the walk a hundred
Yards west OF the music hall. 1t was illu-
minated with Chinese lanterns. The
canopy led TO open church doors. Every
minute carriage stopped at the opening
of the muslin funnel. Everything out
aide indicated a wedding within the edi-
Ace. On entering the canopy you were
addressed by man uniformed like a
French cOmisslonalre. He was supported
In his duties by police officer specially
detailed for the service. On the pre-
sentation of a card of invitation the
comIssionaire bowed gracefully and con-
Quoted you up the steep steps to the vesti-
hule of the church. There you were
received by a second official in full uni
form, who was guarded by another
specially detailed officer. He received
your card, while third comlssionaire
placed III your hand a neatly printed
pamphlet entitled, 'Christ Before Plate"
Having thus been duly impressed with
the Importance of the show within, the
inner doors were thrown open, and you
stood upon the floor of the church, where
sslmi Morse lost his fortune and virtually
his life in trying TO produce a realistic
drama called "Tne Life and Death OF Our
Lord Jesus Christ"
The room was we'll filled, but the still
ness of death prevailed. The only lights
were those flooding with effulgence the
great painting stretched across the stage
where SalmI Morse's clergyman had
\ tried 10 enact the role of our Saviour. The
4 visitor was at once impressed with the
silence that prevailed. Men and women
sat like statues, dumb and motionless,
gazing at the picture. 1t is about two
thirds the size of Rotherma's painting of
the battle OF Gettysburg. The first figure
4 to attract the eye was that of ragged
and uukempt Hebrew with both hands
\ raised, shouting: Cruelty mimi" Gradu-
ally the eye took in CaIaphas and Pontius
4 Plate. Last Of all the sketch of Christ
gets your attention. 1t is as different
from Salmi MOrse's living figure as night
is from day. MOrse's WAS robust pOr-
traiture, and embodiment of perfect
physical health. This, however, is pale
a and cOnsumptIve in appearance. The
nose seems as thin as knife blade. The
eyes are sunken. The forehead slopes.
n and the hair Is very long and not particu-
larly curly. The whiskers cover the
a cheek like thicket, and have a Venetian
point at the chin. 1t is not an ideal
Fl Christ. Not a church member in the
q country has ever pictured anything like
a 1t in mis- imagination. The Saviour
rOamed Judea with his disciples. fshed
with them, plucked corn with them, and
led an outdoor life that would have
brOnZed any man. This seems like the
portrait of some invalid who has been
confined to a sick room for months, and
who has just been dragged from Turkish
bath. Sink the eclat with which the
picture has been heralded, and remove
the glamour surrounding its author, and
itwould be condemned by ninety mine out
Of every hundred who pay half dollar
each to satisfy curiosity concerning it.
The deineation of Pontus Plate is
even more unsatisfactory than that OF the
main figure. P0ntius is seated upon a
dais twidlling his fingers. His brows are
knit, and his eyes resemble those of q
ferret. The Roman cast of features are
lacking. The nose is short and stubbv.
The man looks like Doodle Alderman in
brown study over the merits of the
Broadway aud cable roads. 1t would re-
qulre the broadcast stretch of the magma
uon to make Roman Governor out of
nm. His surroundings are not those of
roman magistrate. The Romans espised
the Jews. Official authority was always
upheld, especially in foreign country.
oy display OF military force. In this
painting only one soldier is depicted. He
is at the back of the hall trying to quell a
disturbance. The Jews crowd around
rlate, leaning on his throne and squat
uhg near its steps, apparently on terms
lime utmost familiarity with him. There
Is not the slightest indication OF the
snc'ent Roman hauteur in the painting.
Vu Calaphas has a massive face, but he
ooks more like an Arab Shiek than like
shlgh priest. Then the hall of Justice is
ulsnal and gloomy. 1t has been daubed
WIN Dltumen until IL resembles council
cuamber in the time of the inquisition.
nlhe VISITORS out of ten prime their i'm
'ANH 1hC duJeCJtNeS
ana deit suggestions in the descriptive
pamphlets, and fancy themselves within
We domain Of awe and wonder, To feed
suis fancy, 1t is said that old fellows
resembling learned Swans have been en-
ployed TO NIL certain seats, and at stated
PsIIoos give vent to rhapsodical express
rus o. ieellng. Women from Boston and
Sew England are especially impressed
" Ihe views OF these stoolpig cons. who
pronounce are Jaw" fast "fausi," and
.ant "caunt" The smartDess OF the
agent III charge OF The show is almost
mnacuious. Barnum himself never en-
'VWmpassed so much free advertising.
v;1' ME gazing at the picture recently a
s sitor was charmed by a sweet melody
"niGu sounded as though IL came from a
uIned mute. The trills and quavers
,o ele uohe IN mastery manner, and the
r "ne was SOFT and alluring, the time being
perfect. On turning to discover the
w, u.ce Oh the music, he saw IA man with
MY MY mar, bushy beard, and an enor-
Nus moustache, with lips slightly
auoeu' The man was whistling. His
rses were deepset and piercing. His ap-
"a sSi ahce recalled pictures OF Herr Most
w., ruu we Ohlcago anarchists. At all events.
wb,. ,lsI'Or TOOK him Tor a crank. The
bin,stt,esr was the Baron de Munkacsy
cren'5n' whose visit mas aided so much in
h .qsnS lurOre over the painting. lie
utmost as famous as a whistler IA he ia
@hes painter Al the Century Club the
win n nm ne entertained the company