New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-10
OLD AND MODERN PICTURES.

THE PACLIG AND PRANG COLLECTIONS.
COMPARISONS are odious but in the consideration Of
a collection OF old masters like that sent TO America
by Mr. Frederick Rlulig, Of Germany, to be sold oy
auction at the American Art Galleries, on trcay
evening. February 49, they are inevitable, useful and
dlvcrting Compare No. 6, "Male Portrait" by Roger
Van der weyden with his Seven Sacraments" in the
museum at Antwerp; No. %, Old Man and Cat,' by
Govacrt Flinck, with his Isaac and jacob In ths
Rjks Museum at Amsterdam; No. 70, Portrait Of q
Princess by Nicolas Macs, with his Sleeping
Kntter' In the same place; No 81, The Baptism Of
the Emperor Constantine" By Tepolo. with his BIZ
ceiling canvas in the Academia at Venice; compar,
the examples Of Boucher Natter Ocbtervelt Pourbus
Jan De IIeem, Bsham. Durer, Van der Neer, salvaor
Rosa Konlnck with the representative works By them
which figure in the European galleries, measure them By
the standards they have set up for themselves, and
the conclusion Is that Mr. Pauigs pictures are 70 be
received with caution. They have been certified rs
authentic By Mr. Carl Tnepel. Of Berlin, royal expert,
and he adds in the little circular in which this il
stated that most Of the paintings have for long
time been known and valued In the learned artisuc
circles Of Germany This IS imposing. The learning
of some artistic circles in Germany Is not to be lightly
questioned. Differences Of opinion, however, are
permissible In opinion this collection Is not q
wholly bad one, but neither is 1t exactly valuable.
Tho paintings mentioned above are not all valueless,
but they are not frstrate examples Weighing them
for what they worth, they offer some moderately
satisfying experiences Thus the Van der Weyden,
while It not what II ought 10 be in color and nis Is
still finely modelled little portrait and has something
Of the early Jennings quaintness, whether II Is
genuine or not. Covert FlncIs humorous study may
NOT have his usual strength OF relief and outline. but
IS rich and mellow In Two OF the three Tiepolos.
No. 3D. Head OF II Dogc' and No. 63. " Head Of a
Venetian Noble" are fair specimens of his shn IA
drawing his bravura STYLE and his eighteenth century
alerness Of feeling. Another eighteenth century
al, aufs las moe =
3d. The Marquise de Pompadour,' with its hacdl
handling and vulgar tlnts, Is ridiculous when the
elegant, vlvacous quality Of Boucher's best work, or
even Of his second best, is remembered. No more
grace either Is to be given another great name rs
II Is represented here, that Of Macs. Granting that
the portrait bearing his name is authentic, the absence
OF his familiar glow and depth of color. OF his individual
STYLE leaves it picture OF very small artistic ss-
nlhcance.
The great names are not, In fact to be relied
upon TO sustain their greatness In this collection.
Perhaps Van Goyen IS an exception. The largo
picture by him, No. 70, Landscape with Figures
is very characteristic in the treatment of tho trees
and in the realization OF light. The famous Cor
man masters Durer In No. 80, Christ Mt the oates
of He'll small panel that Is certainly Durer-IAs
I'm It's fantastic features. and Beham. In NO. "
Portrait OF Queen Anne a work OF polished eAecu
ton and fresh color, arc possibly themselves pu'
hemselvc, IN moments OF special Importance NO. ~
THE Circumcision of Christi was formerly attributed
70 Rembrandt according TO Mr. TIiepc. but was To-
Gently discovered TO be by one OF his pupils barc'
Fabritlus. The painting is not remarkable III cum
position or style, and is hardly more worthy ="
rabritius than IL Of his teacher There have been
better Canalettos than No. Is, Canal Scene Nenice'
better Palma Vecchos than No. rs. Madonna, Win
Christ rs "a Child,@ which, by the way is In ruinous
condition; better Van der Neers than No. 49, "Moon-
light Landscape; but then there have been worse
Tnis IS kind consolation that is sometimes eecu's.
I,,tto The Mho
not IA cause for cOngratulauon among lovers Oh an
cient some slight pleasure may DC uerl'cu ~
sketches of monkeys by FpDs snyders, from pit y
low geuro By Van Crcsbtcker that recllis az
Ostode, from a delightful relic OF the Italian inHu-
upon Dutch art. an Italian landscape " -Nu.,
solomon KoninokA But IL . very slight II Is any,
thing but insprtng. and II does not modiN the WISH
foreign owners OF mediocre collections OF inc ON
masters might keep them the other side.
I'm the upper gale. les MeS>rs. L. Pang a. Co.. or
BOSTON, exhibit collection OF nearly $50 oils, water
cooIs drawings obtained by them during quarter
of a century for reproduction In Chlistl cAlus alo
chrOmOS Those products a art are not cOhlhiVmy
given high rank, yet. scattered through this coilec.
ton Of the cleNeest designs That certain W
our best have made. Artists like Mo~srs Neuuer,
Dewing Edwards. leckwith and the late d. NJ Bunher
have worked out original and very pretty ideas win
perfectly tactfu regard for tie dainty. decorative feel
ing which. matter of course, Is most adaptable 10
works of the sort There are good figure subjects W
Wheeler Keith. l--Lscapes by Mr.. Murphy ana Hover
pieces by Miss Bridges and Miss Erown besides pst9ms
of divers subjects BY foreigners like GleoInell ana van
Beers, and brilliant study from the nude by touny
There Is good deal of work that Is old fashioned and
beautiful Tlp auction sale OF this collection Will
occupy the evenings Of February 49, IL and lo'