The times., 1899-06-25

least twenty pictures of undoubted excel
lence by representative modern French
men. Il is not necessary to mention them
all. One need only call to mind those par
ticular pictures whose reputation is world
wide-examples which belong TO those
few great works OF recent art to which
the moderns pin their faith and point with
pride; pictures on which the future stand
ing and reputation of the masters whom
they so well represent must to a large
extent depend.
AS to two OF these pictures, one must
hold a surer pen than the writer TO deter
mine which holds the higher place in criti-
cal circles; certain 1t is that Detail!e's S
Passing Regiment will have the widest
popularity, though future historians may
accord THE Wood Gatherers" a higher
place This picture has had much TO do
with creating the school of Corot and,
therefore, possibly eXerted the wider in
fiuenee in the world OF art.
The Wood Gatherers" OF Corot is one OF
this great masters largest, most important
and very best examples. In this picture
the student and connoisseur find demon
strated the splendid poetic insight and
wonderful knowledge of this patriarch,
whose genius dominates more than half
the art endeavor OF today.
1.-THE Passing Regiment" by Detaille, Is
a marvel of its kind. One may reasonably
doubt if this artist ever painted its. peer.
This is a picture 1t will always be grief
to France that she can never own.
Caesar Dead" by Gerome, is a tragedy
told with noble simplicity. There are few
pictures in existence so truly impressive.
it is the flower of the academic school.
Before 1t one easily comprehends the rea-
son for the honors which follow Gerome S
distinguished name, Commander of the
Legion of Honor member of the Institute
of France. professor of the beaux arts,
grand medal of honor in 1874" and medals
OF lesser importance galore. This mighty
picture will live long after the waXen
harem loungers. to which Gerome sold
himself body and soul, are forgotten.
Perhaps, indeed. it is these nudes this un-
friendly critic misses from the Corcoran
collection.
. other masterpieces.
Where, one is inclined to ask, may be
found three greater pictures than these
Would the French Ambassador permit any
distinguished visitor from France to come
TO Washington without taking him to see
these French masterpieces, not TO mention
other interesting things in this splendid
gallery? Surely this is quite enough; but
think of these others as well: Troyon
/ Going to Drink" famous example; THE
Banks of the Adige," by Rico. There is in
America, 1t is freely admitted. no finer ex-
ample of this mans peculiar and extraor-
dinary technique. Artists are inclined 10
quote it as the best Rico with which they
are acquainted. The Brittany Widow, "
by jules Breton, is a bit of painting as
satisfying as any canvas that artist ever
touched. THE Beach at Scheveningen, "
by Kaemerer, may be classed with these,
and II is the most important example. per-
haps. extant of this motive and school, II
is so distinctly one Of the worlds MASTER
pieces.
There are also fine examples OF Cain
Dupre, and one of the largest and most
satisfactory d'Aubigneys, a fine Vibert ana
a superb Annie Morot. THE Bull Fight" g
picture that tells more of the technique OF
painting than some whole galleries. This
is true also of Renouf's delightful genre
THE Helping Hand" withal so catchy In
subject 1t is sturdy piece OF painting, OF
the kind which has, as much as any ONE
thing. contributed to make Paris, rather