National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-07-26
BEAUTY AND RICHNESS IN ART.
The Valuable Collection of Paintings
of ME- Thnmna ~ XNnrrnmnn.

OF Mr. Thomns H. WnEgamAn'
The progress Of art and civilization in
this dsy Of the nineteenth century is best
shown by the great aud growing interest
that is now being taken in works OF art aud
in the establishment Of private collections
Of works Of art. The light Of art, like that
of nature, shines on all alike, and its bene-
fits, like those Of the sun, are In being seen
and felt. Art Is not the spirit of trade. It
is not question between the grower or
consumer Of some perishable and personal
commodity, but IL is q question between
human genius and human taste-how much
the one can produce for the benefit of man.
kind and how much the other can eujOy.
II Is "the link OF peaceful commerce 'twixt
divldable Shores" Most men cease to be
Of any consequence at all when they are
dead, but II Is the privilege Of the man Of
genius and Of the founder OF great gallery
OF art TO survive themselves. All men
ought to have some object upon which to In.
dulge their enthusiasm, and IL ought to BIO
bestowed upon the highest objects and upon
those the surest OF deserving.
No greater treat is known than to be adj
mitted to q collection Of fine paintings,
where the mind reposes with full confidence
In its feelings Of admiration, and finds that
idea and love OF conceivable beauty which
II has cherished-perhaps for a whole life.
reflected from every object around It, 1t
is a cure, for the time at least, for low
thoughted cares and uneasy passions.
These reflections were caused from having
visited, a few days ago, the private art col
lection of Mr.. Thomas T.. Waggaman at his
residence, No. $500 o street, Georgetown.
This collection is by far one Of the largest,
and contains more real gems Of art than any
other collection in the District OF Columbia
| outside Of the Corcoran Art Gallery. 1t
numbers about lis different subjects, all
selected by Mr.. Waggaman at intervals
within the past few years. In the selection
| Mr.. WaRgaman has exhibited remarkable
taste ank rare good judgment. Paintings
from the following distinguished artists are
! to be found in the collection: Constantine
! Troyon (deceased), Paris; Eugene Feromen-
tin (deceased), Paris; j. b. Q. Corot (de.
eeased), Paris; j. G.. Jacquet, Paris; #. f,
| Church, New York; Gaetana Chirlci, Rome;
J.. p. A.. Antigua ldeceasedl, Paris; N.
\ Thedy, Munich; $. Van Schaick, Brussels;
J. Lewis Brown, Paris; James Hart, New
| York; j. G.. Vibert, Paris; G. +. Daubigny
| (deceased), Paris, and many others of equal
| celebrity.
No. 10 of the collection, Seattle at Rest
| by Constantine Troyon. Paris, received
| medals, Paris Salon, 1888 40 Gas; medal,
| Paris Exposition, 1866, and cross of Legion
| Of Honor, 1919. This painting is, perhaps,
|
doubtedly command O very high price In the
market. No. 3, ale Champs de Repos,i'
by j. G. Vlbert, Paris, is another gem. A
tender warmth is suffused over the faces,
and their features seem TO catch pleasure
from every surrounding object and reflect
II. No. 10, "a Musical Enthusiast" by NJ.
| Thedy, Munich, is full Of lie and sentiment.
| The color Of the face is such as might be
breathed upon 1t by the refreshing breeze,
or like the glow it might imbibe from a
| golden sunset.
Very many others are deserving OF special
mention, but want OF time and space for
bids IT now. Special notice, however,
should be made Of five full-length paiutirgs
of members Of Mr.. Waggaman's family,
including one of himself, all the work OF
the well-known Washington artist, Mr..
Richard N. Brooke, formerly Of Warrenton,
Va. An old writer has said, "The love OF
fine painting is one equally delightful to
the eye and TO the mind. 1t has very nearly
the reality Of dramatic exhibition, and has
permanence which that is wholly without.
We may gaze at picture and pause to
think, and turn and gaze again." And Sc
says every lover Of the beautiful in art.