Mexico weekly ledger., 1891-10-08
ART AT THE EXPOSITION.
MeritOri0us Mention of Some of the
Many Famous Paintings in the
Art Halls Of the Expo
sitiOn.

Special Correspondence to the Ledger.
ST. LOUIS, Oct. 1.-Around the
military pictures, scenes from the
civil war, center the greatest inter-
est; "The battle room'' as it is now
appropriately designated. The paint
ing entitled, "Battle of Shiloh" is
Is feet wide and 81 feet in length.
The first view is striking, especially
the central figure, the death of the
rebel standard bearer, who has just
succeeded in climbing the parapet.
He is painted in the act of planting
the stars and bars when, by a
Federal bullet, he receives his death
wound. The eontending armies are
wonderfully painted and the battle
is at its height. This picture is ad-
mirably hung. The light falls bril-
liantly, the atmospheric effect being
exceptionally fine. "Grant at Cor
inth'' is of about the same dimen-
sions as the other, covering the en-
tire wall. The Federal forces are
charging; excitement lights up each
haggard face as Gen. Grant, on
horseback with his sword IN hand
is pointing toward the Confederate
lines. His powerful features stand
out in the electric lights like
bronze. An overturned cannon is
one of the most realistic figures on
the canvas, a dead horse is lying
beside it, the broken wheel is so
uatural.you feel like you could al
most grasp the splinters. The fear
lessness Of the talented artist is
here and the work is in perfect
keeping with the title. The third
large picture represents General
Pemberton's surrender to General
Grant. The two distinguished Of
ficers are sitting together under
the boughs Of a spreading tree,
surrounded by deep shadows, talk
ing over the terms Of the surrender;
at a short distance a soldier on
horseback holds a flag of truce.
The perspective is very fine, as in
the distance We see body of troops
waiting the decision-the staff Of
ficers of both Generals regarding
them intently. Its size is IS by 81
feet. These three pictures are too
large for frames and are tackled on
the wall and appropriately draped
Stored away in memory are many
sad scenes of this unnatural period
for the familiar history of this wal
is yet thrilling Renaissance, es-
pecially to the rising generation
a transmitted history which should
be free from rancor. As a patriotic
instructor every child should visit
these fine paintings.
"David and Goliath" In the ex.
hibition at the Paris salon last
year this painting received honor.
able mention. The exultant looE
the face Of the gentle shepherd
had, with his tiny sling shot in hi.
hand, his foot upon the breast o.
the PROSTATE giant, who has falleI
in his heavy harness of mail, form
strikingly conceived figures and ;
subject familiar to all bible readers
"The wise and foolish Virgins" al
lovers Of genuine art consider th'
finest in the collection. 1t is O
heroic size with 10 life sized viz
gins. Piloty, the famous historica
painter, executed the work in Mu
Mich in 1882. He died in 1886
The parable is strongly drawn; th
idea of the artist is the coming o
the bridegroom. The wise virgin
make ready to meet him. exultan
and triumphant, their beautiful
faces transfgured with the light o
JOY beaming in every lineament-
the beseeching look on the faces o
the Others as disparingly with up
lifted lamps they realize their con
dition. 1t is powerful both in concep
tion and execution.
! 1.-THE Burial of Minnesink" come
next in value and Of similar dimen
sions, illustrating Longfellow'
grand poem in singularly dramati
manner. The dead chief is bein,
borne to the grave covered will
buckskin, on the shoulders of 81,
hoary old Indian warriors, while
bevy of Indian maidens precede tn
bier chanting their weird, wild mel
odies. But we grow weary Iookin,
at these pictures full of anguish an
turn to one scarcely less poignan
but such an exquisitely beautifu
creation it almost robs death of it
terrors. ''The death of Minneha