New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-11
THE TERESTCH4GIY COLLECTION
Second nOtice.l

Second notceD
The exhibition of " Vcrestchagins paintings is
open to the public at the American Art Galleries. and
various pamphlets will equip the visitor with the
artists professions OF a humanitarian and ddactic
purpose Pictures like the " Execution In India
may well be thought 20 stand in need Of apoog tic
explanation, although NJ. Vercstchsgin seems tn
most fearful lest the futhfulncss of his picture be
imrcachcd II is strange that 20 familiar historical
TACT should have been disputed IN London, but It is
stranger stll that artist should have painted such
a scene. Those whose literary taste is satisfied with
work like Flauberts saammbo" may find peculiar
pleasure In the paintings Of executions. There is, Of
course nothing IN painting OF the loaths0mc and
horrible which IS Illustrated In and our OF the Paris
salon every year. hut NeIestchagn seems to explain
himself as a morslist endcavoring 10 shock the world
into peace and brotherhood lola has given explana-
tons dssimar. Many OF the French ultra realistic
painters, like Ccrvex have let It be understood ua'
their end and aim IS sensation" As regards the
paintings OF Verestchagin, let repeat that 1t
would be unfair to deny their truth and power The
dramatic instinct is strong with the artist, and he
has set before US singuarly impressive scenes, and
some like the skobclen at shipka' ana Alexander
al Plevna' which have genuine pictorial value But
we shall not dwell upon other works Of this class.
although something might be said or the painting In
the picture Of the priest blessing the mutlsted coTpses
on battlefield, and there IS certain dramatic force
In the studies Of the sentry sinking TO his death In
shpkas But these pictures seldom lack force at
least 1t Is relief TO turn from blood and wounds
from executions and cOpses TO the paintings OF India
and Tibet In the large gallery there is painting
Of the Cate Allah-Uddin in Delhi, where court attend
ants and grOoms walt IN dazzling costumes before the
sIchway carved Of red sandstone. In another corner
Of the gallery glsten the marble latces of the win
dows Of selim-shist's monument On ascending the
the last gallery, the visitor may Imagine him
seh about 10 enter the courtyard OF the Peal Mosque
bfiancy In the sunlight. Here az in the preceding
picture Chinese white mas been loaded upon The can
Vas for the higher lights, and the shadow painted In
transparent color The drawing is remarkable for It's
mechanical accuracy. II suggests results sometimes
obtained By throwing up, and tracing photographs
on canvas but Is said that Nerestchagln, unlike
photography. Al the opposite end OF this gallery Is
very large painting OF iimalayan snow peaks
ba:hod IN light, underneath brilliant blue sky
party yelled by rapidly moving clouds The scene
has light ar. and an admirable shy, and no doubt
The panorama presented IS truthful. Near by Is a
large picture Of the Krmlin at Moscow. with gardens
towers partly and surmounted by silded balls
the river, where tho water has an opalcscence sug
e,s'ing the wafer painting OF lmpresslonism1 Else
where tho gallery presents an excellent hglIc OF a
Cosgack picket the Danube. camp fire study. twi-
with its companions, OF which We have ALREADY
spoken. We shall not attempt TO speak Of the minor
and few very interesting sketches OF cloud effects
Nor shall waste time IN discussing the relig Ous'
pictures, upon which the artist appears 70 lay great
stress. WITH a few exceptions; inc bel pictorial
queiiy be found in some Of the sm iler AMI less
prcfentiOus OF Neffsicnagn WoFhs me GIfsl's am
Etion and energy are abundantly illustrated.
but there are many examples Oi Unsolicited zeal and
excessive selfconfidence. We believe that this In
sstance upon the horrors OF violent death is not
merely inaIstic but appeals 10 morbid taste. This
NAV be said a. least OF This country, whatever neces
sty NAV exist for teaching Europeans lesson which
they have certainly had abundant Opportunity 10
learn from real experiences. But II would be unjust
10 dismiss the Nereschagin exhibition as collection
OF curlOsties. panOramas and horrors Nerestsnagin
shows himself 10 be strong personality, ana a. least
most intrepid and industrious painter, and much Of
his work deserves the interest OF the public