The herald., 1894-11-11

ical history, was the Goddess
OF Love. and, with the perverse-
ness of many of her sex, she fixed her
affections upon the wrong person. Her
lover was a fisherman. and TO punish
her, Perkun, the God of Thunder, killed
her lover by lightning, and by the same
means destroyed her amber palace in
the depths of tho Baltic sea. While
this picture attracts by the knowledge
of anatomy displayed, the color tints are
SO delicately handled as to give an air
OF intense realism to the figure standing
partially obscured by overhanginR fol-
iage. There is great strength and action,
aud altogether it is q fine representation
OF the artists skill in handling the nude.
Gne other historical subject rivets at
tention. Wernyhora Relating the His
tory of Poland and Phrophesying its
Reausctation, is one of the masterpieces
of J. Mateyko, and in addition to hon
ors heaped upon him during his artistic
career. he was presented by the city OF
Cracow with sCepter and the title OF
King of Polish Painters. This probably
was as much on account OF the subject
OF the above painting as for its intrinsic
merit. At the came time the drawing
is wonderful. and strength and action
are the dominating characteristics OF
the canvas. 1t is somewhat remarkable
alec for the variety and strength OF the
coloring and contrasting effects. 1t be-
longe essentially to the old school and
is Rem mnrsndteeque in general style OF
treatment.
To stand for long in front OF the paint
ing. An Exiled Polish Woman's Death
in Siberia, is apt to give one spaBm IN
Il tal1 Nd
can one realize the power of the Cracow
painter, j. Malczeweki. 1t possesses
dramatic interest OF intense power, and
while the drawing is excellent and also
the treatment of color, it 10 in the man.
ipulation of light effects that intensity
is given to tho painting. Through the
prison bars streams the ruddy gIeam
the setting sun, striking ard illuminate
ing the faces OF the figures standing by
the bedside. The wan. pallid face OF the
dying woman is in ghastly contrast, and
the whole arrangement OF light and
shadow is ahoV n with fidelity.
The Masse Shot by w. Podkowinski is
fine example OF the impressionst
school. While caviare, perhaps, to the
multitude the subject has been handled
in a broad manner and is worth careful
study, both at long and short distance.
The Vision of King Sigmund by w.
Gerson, in addition to possessing intrin.
sic merit, will certainly delight all hav-
ing spirtualiat inclinings. sigmund
August. king of Poland. inconsolable
after the death of his wife, was rapidly
sinking into melancholy. A famous
magician shows to the king the spirit OF
the dead queen and thus rescues him
from his condition. The painting is
good in drawing and wonderfully strong.
The delicacy of the color treatment of
the apparition and the background
stands in marked contrast to the somber
tints OF the garments of the king and
his retinue.
While the paintings enumerated form
a very small number of those exhibited,
enough has been said to show that this
Polish collection is of more than passing
importance. M. George de Sosnowski
and M. Mieczyslaw Niedswiedzinski.
Polish commissioners to the United
States. have utii zed the space at their
disposal in the pavilion to good advan-
tsge. and if the light is not all that
might be desired. at least the general
effect of the exhibition is beyond an.ici-
patton. To thoughtfnlly study many OF
these pictures is truly an education. and
one that must broadsn the mind, ex-
hiiarate the fancy and appeal to all toe
higher em etions Of tho human mind.