The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-08
m antique bench, the translucent effect Of

an antique bench, the translucent effect Of
which is more like that OF onyx than Of
marble. 1t is in this very effect that the
chief charm Of the work lies, and the
varied vein-like hues OF the polished stone
are wonderfully and delicateiy reproduced.
An enormous and very striking canvass is
Lerolle's Organ Rehearsal" This is a
bold daring and possibly displeasing con-
trast OF color The organ loft of very
white interiored church is seen with start
ling high lights. The predominant color
IS oak, or rather very yellow oak, in the
loit. A young woman stands in the fore
ground singing. The choir, composed of
contemporaneous Parisans, stand and sit
about in interested poses, and the organist
docs his best" with one eye on the singer
There is little that is pleasing in this, but
much that is rudely realistic. II is quite
difficult to get the right light on the
picture. but it is seen TO the best advantage
from the entrance to the next gallery.
Without having half made the tour OF this
section, / rushed off to see the Wolfe
collection at the other end OF the building
A stroll through the upper balcony Of the
museum among ceramics and bronzes and
"Cesnolan" antiques rests the eye, and
by the time one reaches the gallery he is
again hungry for more. The collection Of
paintings left by Catherine Lorillard
Wolfe to the museum embraces little OF
everything that is good. Her own picture,
by Cabanel, is prominently displayed at
the entrance Of the room. There Is Just
the slightest perceptible improvement on
the original, but the features OF woman
kindly benevolent and firm are largely
"a of al
OF the first pictures TO be seen, but very
lasting in its impression, is Gerome. II
represents the interior OF mosque with
devotees stand in line far down the length
of the edifce. Under their feet are
beautiful rugs, and above them are hung
innumerable lamps. The color and per-
spective are, as may be imagined, perfect.
Gerome Is pro-eminent in both.
A religious procession, by Breton, strong
ly reminiscent OF his great work in the
Luxembourg A body OF men, dressed in
somber blue and brown, and bearing
tapers, are marching toward you. Large
numbers OF sisters Of charity with their
white head-gear Gil up the picture on
either side. 1t is very effectively solemn
and serious, and withal beautiful. A con-
tour hangs near this. A boy, with an ex-
tremely melancholy look, is blowing bub-
bles. The sad expression ON the child's
face as he sees the bubbles disappear is
said TO be an involuntary illustration OF
the character OF tho great artist himself.
There are lovely cattle pieces by Rosa
Bonheur, Troyan and Van Mascke. two
stunning military pictures by Detaille,
some charming geure work Of Vibirt's, a
characteristic Henner with everything
sacrificed for the hesh-tint and some de-
licious bits Of Messonier Cabanel Clairin
and Jules worms. German art Is meagerly
represented by Kaulbach Knaus and
Piloty. Though they are great artists
their work here is not by any means what
could be called the best. A large portrait
Of three noblcmen, by Sir Joshua Rey-
nolds, attracts much admiration and at
tention. New Workers, rs well as all
Americans, should feel proud of this gall
lery, and that ii will become u place OF
the iirst interest TO all art lovers goes with
out saying. W. V.K.