New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-17
Van Dyck's original etchinn. WITH engraving,
after HIS painted portraits

The Durer exhibition at the Grolier Club which
has already been raversed in this Journal is in one
way that has not yet been fully discussed the most
instructive gathering Of engravings ever held IL
NewYork. We refer 10 It's illustration OF the differ
cnce between Impressions taken at various tines
from the plate. To the lay mind II may seem 4
matter OF course that every copy OF design
printed from "A plate should be exactly like the last
The truth Is just tho opposite Impressions vary is
the printing Of modern etching or engraving q
the plate Is passing through the press and still
more have they varied in the past when impression,
being taken at long intervals. One copy
would be printed paper Of a certain TINT OF white
cream. and would be. we Will say, clear as bel
from edge 10 edge Some time aftcrward a copy
printed from the plate when the latter had beer
carelessly linked would be uneven in tone. Occs,
sionalIy the variations will be noticeable nithou
involving any serious differences Of value. There
-. for example, The knight. Death, and thu
Devil" No 60 Of Mr.. Koehler's catalogue. The frs
of the four impressions shown has clarity which
s successors lack. being remarkably crisp In all Ito
lines but the second plate, for all that il Ia NOR,
woke portions. has rich silvery quality, body
the first two OF these prints with the others grouped
with them, and the high value OF the clubs exhibit
case Of The Holy Family Catalogue 10 ssJ. tn:
first state q The plate Is shown In an mpTsssor
has the student an opportunity TO see so perfectly
printed print from this plate Il might be though
to splendid impression Of each engraving. but Il
VIII readily be perceived that the chance 'or com
impressions Of the masterpieces is a chance 70 b.
priced by the amateur.
without the second fine impression OF the "st
Jerome In His Study" the student might not realize
how unusually fine the first one Is with us sx
koehler Is little misleading In his notes as 10 the
qualities OF his Impressions He T. manifest,
impression to which he gives precedence, tacitly a.
being cleaner wiped than itss companion. Is. asa
matter OF fact far less lucid in its tone than the
latter besides being less crisp and firm In It's lnes
throughout. The st. Eustace," too, has led him
former instance he assigns the pre-eminence TO
plate which is perhaps clearer than its rivals, but
IMPRESSIONS and and Of the Adam and Eve We would
place his second choice before his first But these
ment of our editors arrangement. He has placed
the prints from the "Melanchoa" plate in theli
put the two impressions Of the Nemesis (usuaiiy
known as The Great Fortune) in their propei
guide it is not only safe but it ought TO be found
extremely useful by the student who cares 70 follow
while to pause upon the difference between the
first and second impressions Of The Coat-of;Armi
who has looked at Durer's engravngs al all viii
fail to grasp the special value Of such impression
which is shown. We have testified before this te
the unique Significance OF this exhibition as afford.
graved work. but it needs to be further enforced
that not twice in a generation is so superbly Sc
the generosity Of the Grolier now brings forth. II
Is impossible to specify here all the rarities, bul
enough has been said to show their value.
Admirers OF the late Richard Morris Hunt will Be
gratified TO learn that the Memorial Committee
formed through the efforts % the Municipal Art So
ciety has at last come to decision In regard TO the
model prepared by Mr.. d. c. French and Mr. Bruce
Price Their model was accepted last week, and
presumably the erection Of the monument Will be
accomplished without loss Of time II takes tho
form of an exedra TO be placed in the wall Of Cen
r)a somewhere
the Plaza. Mr.. French has proposed two symbolicd
statues with an heroic bust OF Hunt between
Mr. Price has designed his scheme so as 10 provide
spacious platform for the bench running round
the ellipse with steps descending 10 the pavement
The work is at present only in Its FIRST stages but
the general outlines of the model being settled.
there no difficulties ahead. The memorial WI, WIZ
be received with the widest appreciation. Hunt
was an architect whom his colleagues Delighted 70
honor during his lifetime and the mark left by his
art Is so deep that any movement toward a reeog.
milton OF 1t is sure OF public approval That ne
TO have this beautiful and lasting monument Is also
a testimony TO the oenefcent character OF the M
nicipal Art Society. That organization was nrst IN
the field to start the memorial: !. nyied ne ssc CO.
tated the undertaking. and 1t now has the execu.
ton of the project in charge It's ministrations Te
growing in Importance every year and the compile;
ton of this work will go far TO win II support ana
to widen its influence.
On last Monday afternoon there was begun at the
Hotel Druout, in Paris. the sale OF the draWinsr
water colors and pastes in the famous Goncourt
PASS under the auctoneers hammer At this dis
lance Il IS OF course. fruitess 10 speak OF the COL
lection at length but its dispersal may be RECORDER
as one Of the great everAs in our artistic annals
The two brothers were remarkable In their tastes
Writing their novels and for tina, matter, tneir
books Of biography and their notorious Journal
they pursued a relentlessy realistic method, ono
which promised 10 destroy and in most cases
did destroy any elements OF beauty OF wnnn
they may have been In seatch' bu. a.. al ers.
assembling OF their possessions they gray itatsd
and last TO what was most elegant. most iasus
most delicately beautiful IN the pictorial a. an
eighteenth century. They collected Fragonaru tISa,
cret La Tour Vatican. Pater, the McreaIsi nnn.i'
the two St Aubins. and. with their pto!9ui ~.
edge OF their men, they collected nt.lV 10. Tbcv
below the best of those delightful Hd-tIS' - ~.
found proofs in them II proofs were he'eu, oJrcni
inc yhailstibe enchantment which can se 1850,
through the sweep of a robe the pose OF ~ .ba
head the coquettish firt Of a fan fronaUs rival
whole range of art there IL notnlhs nhV,e -
than the substance Of French art III the !as' bii.
turv but nowhere else will you mo Hut rha coi
charm of STYLE a more ravshing touyn =, n-,,on,
lectors have gathered IN fore" IN we TO- Master.
to profit by the scattering OF the dainty Not
ME 'es treasured long by les uoneo w. ,,sr,or.
again in nifty years will they meet upon ~ ii'e'''
a BILE an occasion.