Year: 1872

If any faith can be placed in the signs of
the times we may look forward to an art sea-
son of extraordinary interest and brilliancy.
Never in the history of art in our city has
there been at one time such rich and varied
collections of works in all genres as are now
stored away in the various art repositories
Some of these productions Of the painters
skill have already been placed on view, and
are now attracting the admiring attention Of
the public But away behind these examples
are others hid away jealously from the vulgar
eye in quantities but little dreamed of by such
as are unacquainted with the secrets of the
trade; for, after all, this beautiful, delightful
art, about which we grow enthusiastic, is infu-
enced and affected by such prosaic considera-
tions as dollars and cents. There is a small
class of the community with whom the
noblest work that leaves the easel is
only an object of barter, a mercantile
commodity, out of which SO much profit can
be made. This fact may shock us at first, but
reflection will reconcile us to the dealer as q
necessary evil. In their own way the MEM
bers Of this class sometimes render important
services to the interest Of art, while seeking
their own advantage. Many man of genius
has been discovered and dragged into light by
these indefatigable seekers after something to
sell. To their enterprise we owe in no small
degree the rapid progress which artistic taste
has made among us.


In order to be ahead Of the public demand
the dealers have this year made extraordinary
efforts, and although the high prices which
obtained in Europe interfered very much with
their purchases they have done admirably.
Goupil sends us Gerome's magnificent work,
cleopatra Before Cesar" as well as pictures
by Meissonier and Cabanal while hid away
in the cavernous recesses of his gallery are
three companion works by Boughton,
which will raise him still higher in
public estimation as an artist gifted with the
true poetic spirit. Schaus has turned his steps
towards Belgium and Germany, and is collect
ing works by Kraus, Meyer Won Bremen,
Munich, &c. Snedecor, encouraged by the
success of his experiment in water colors, has
made very extensive collection of the French,
Italian and English schools. In variety and
value this collection will surpass anything that
has ever been seen in America.


The immense progress that we are making
in the patronage Of art may be judged from
this short recapitulation. But what we can con-
gratulate the public on with most confidence
is the improvement Of taste, as shown in the
quality Of the works which purchasers display
most anxiety to obtain. The class of pictures
which, few years ago, would have found
ready sale among even the best class of buyers,
could not now be safely introduced,
SO much more exacting have the public
become. Among those who already possess
galleries Of paintings there is o desire to give
to them more symmetry, and for this purpose
many Of the best known collections will be
brought to the hammer within few years.
Mr.. Belmont has been the first to decide on
this step. His pictures are at present on view,
and the public can Judge of the knowledge
and taste displayed in selecting them. The
interest shown by the public in these works is
without parallel In spite Of the difficulty Of
travel the exhibition yesterday was crowded,
and there can be no doubt that the pictures
will fully sealize the sums originally paid for
them.


Mr.. Derby is rapidly pushing on arrange
ments for exhibiting his collection of pic
lures at the Academy of Design. 1t
will consist of over four hundred
works, selected carefully from oil
the European schools, and will be
one of the most important sole exhibitions
ever held in New York. These events are
only tho opening Of the season. but they serve