The San Francisco call., 1896-05-03

y Ntlon. Inese consisted OF steer,
copper and wood engraving and
lithography. Since then nearly every pic
ture that was ever painted has been repro
duced and scattered all over the world.
Aside from religious and patriotic subjects,
which have certain interests for certain
people regardless of pictorial merit, it IS
not hard to conclude which pictures have
been most popular with Americans. Not
the esthetically cultivated Americans, but
the people who make up the bulk OF popu-
lation of our land.
Most of the originals of the pictures that
can be found in three-fourths of the Amer
ican homes to-day were painted between
forty and fifty years ago. They are all
pictures with a powerful sentiment and
the demand for reproductions of them is
greater to-day than ever.
These are not pictures that our artists
rave over for their technique. There are
no ''Nocturnes," "Crepescules'' or "Sym-
phonies" among them. Nor are there any
examples of the impressionist school. But
the pictures the American people have
taken into their homes will live when all
the others ere forgotten. Why? Princi-
pally because they tell some sort of story.
There is something in them that appeals
to the people and puts them in sympathy
with the picture. There are nearly thirty
of these pictures that can be bought at al
most any art store in the land, and the
demand for them shows no signs of abat-
ing. How many pictures painted these
davs will be ever known, except to con-
noisseurs, fifty years hence?
The pictures that have been popular in
America for the last half century GER
show a oh NatI
in artistic taste, at least, for most of them
are as pure as snow, and those that may
| depart from this high standard are either
conflicts between animals or some Jolly
| earousal OF good-natured fellows. There
never has been vicious or pernicious pic
ture popular in the United States, although
plenty of them have been offered for sale,
and there were no laws against them until
late years. This is in strong contrast to
France, where the most popular picture is
"Leda and the Swan"
Only brief mention can be made in this
article of the pictures that have held the
hearts OF the American people for over
forty years. and glance over them will
recall to mind many old friends.
The most popular picture in America to-
day, if not in the world, is Sir Edwin
Landseer's Midnight Call" but all of
Landseer's pictures have been popular ever
since the first engravings of them were
brought to this country about sixty years
ago. Landseer's work is masterful in
drawing and color and as full of senti-
ment as anything of the old masters.
What human being could look upon even
ali engraving of the Midnight Call'' and
not be impressed. As a landscape alone
it would be immortal. What beauty there
is in the solemn glory of the silent winter
night. The distant ice-covered mountains
stand sharp against the deep, cold sky
filled with glittering stars, and the inky
Il he 1z@f& &l,- 1ol-A 4 -.
tericus mist. In the foreground the sur
face OF the snow gllstens in the pale moon
light and throws the powerful, di .nified
form of the elk into strong relief. At least
ten of Landseer's pictures are popular with
all classes in this country. There Is Life
in the Old Dog Yet is tragic incident of
the hunting field filled with sentiment
that appeals to everybody. "The Monarch
of the Glen has constant sale as well as
all of the others that are so well known
that no mention of them is necessary here
Marine pictures have been surprisingly
popular in this country. Those by Turner
have held the palm for the last half CEN
tury, 1.-THE Canal in Venice" being the
most in demand. Thousands of copies of
this picture are still sold annually.
In the same class are Stanfield's pic
lures. They were painted about 1855 and
| have had their share OF public favor. His
| beautiful picture of Lake Como" has
been source of constant pleasure to mil
lions of people. His Portsmouth Harbor'
and MAKING Port" are also still in great
demand.
Who has not seen and admired Sir
Joshua Reynolds "Age of Innocence?,
1t has been painted about 20 years and is
constantly growing in popularity.
The picture of "Mme. LeBrun and Her
Daughter" has always been favorite with
the American people. 1t is certainly a
magnificent piece of painting and the
sentiment of the work is tender and pure.
The picture of Countess Patocha,
painted by an unknown artist, has been a
public favorite ever since it was put on
the market. 1t is known to be about $50
years old and it is held in favor simply by
the sweet expression of the face
About the year 1884 1.-The Truant'' was
painted by ]. Webster. 1t was not en-
graved for many years, but has held the