Year: 1872




The approach of Christmas has had its usual
efect In Frightening up the art stores, in prepara-
ton for the time when every one will become gen.
erous and open handed. The marvels of artistic
skill that have been carefully culled in all the
countries Of Europe are now brought forth from
their hiding places where only the initiated were
allowed to enjoy furtiye glance, as the surprises
in store for the great public that opens its heart
and loosens its purse strings as soon as the first
faint chimes of the Christmas bells ring through
the chilly air. 1t is not too much to say that a
visit to the various art galleries at this moment is
no ordinary treat to a lover OF the aesthetic. In
all Of them are brilliant and admirable ex-
amples of the painters skill. The catholI-
cism of art is practically enforced, for
we see all the polished nations represented with
the greatest impartiality Wherever there Is
skilled workmanship and genius there patronage
extends. No question Of race or cline is here en-
tertained, and all may enter who possess the dia-
mond passport OF genius. Only one regret comes
to the mind in wandering about these galleries, and
1t is caused by the comparatively small space
pied by native art. This we know In great meas
Is caused by the act that the best OF artists
are too conscientious to be very prolific, and they
can dispose of their works to better advantage in
the studios. The exclusion of the less meritorlous
is, no doubt, misfortune for them, but Is due to
strict business necessity. For the moment there Is
grand sensation in art matters, and the public
must turn again to the galleries in pursuit OF novel
artistic pleasures. We snail first peer in en- paSsan
to few Of the principal galleries to see what pabu-
lum has been provided for the artistic palate OF
readers.


sCHAUs' GALLERY.


The selection OF works in this gallery has been
made with judcious care, and wherever we turn
we met with some remarkable example Of one
of the European schools. Here also painting does
not entirely usurp the gallery but sculpture re-
nj naRf n a 10 NJ
ment OF art which we Should ike to more culti-
waited in the galleries, as it would have the effect
OF educating the public taste so as to prevent the
erection Of those scarecrow monuments that
threaten to permanently disfgure the city. For
tunatey we nave ialth IN tne growing Intelligence
to the day when the Lncolns and MOrses that at
present act as a warning. to avoid great
Rauche's figure OF "victory," and number
OF other works Of less Importance give representa-
tive completeness to the collection, such as we
have in no other gallery. Among the paintings
two are OF extraordinary merit and would by
themselves wen repay visit-one, landscape, by
Achenback, which shows such an improvement on
the works we usually see after nlm In America as
to be absolutely startling. 1t is tranquil river
in the distance town, but with open country in
tervening. The sense OF atmosphere and the day
light efiects have been marvell0usly rendered with
freshness and lorce which leaves nothing to be
desired This work has nothing OF the convention
asm that we are accustomed to In Achenback's
works, but Is painted with vigor and naturalness
that marks u new epoch in this artists works. IAN
Italian Mother and Child by Bouguereau, is work
OF great importance, both IRON its size and the
merits OF Its painting. We have all the wonderful
dcicacy, confined with the strength that knowl-
edge gives in this work. Both the modelling OF the
child, form and the fesh painting OF the child are
admirable. As Is usual with this artist, he has
concentrated his power on the child and made the
workmanship marvel OF skill and finish. "A Scene
in Versailles" in the olden time, by COmte, wen
deserves attention for its technical merit and the
cunning by which a very ordinary incident Is made
into an exquisite picture.


GouPIL's GALLERY.


The chief attraction mere for the American pub
lie Will undoubtedly be the last work OF native
artist, Boughton. We have already noticed at
some length his "Idyl Of the Birds" but we could
not pass 1t by without mention. Meissoniers
''Vidette," one OF his most important works, IS
also on exhibition and has been noticed In our
columns. little picture by Cues. likely enough
to escape notice, called the STANDARD Bearer"
deserves particular attention from the sOidity OF
the painting and the depth and brilliancy OF the
coers. Lake George" by David Johnson.
shows the conscientious work OF that artist
and the Improvement which results from
close and careful study. Both In the
quality OF the color and the treatment there Is a
marked Improvement. An admirable still life by
Desgore displays wonderful workmanship. Preyer
also Is represented and we have admirable specl-
mems OF native art In marine picture by Moran
which absolutely smells OF the Its atmospheric
effects are perfectly delightful and u OF breezy
sentiment. There are quite q number 0f other
workswhich deserve mention. but we have neither
the time nor space to speak Of them as they
merit.