* * * * *
Bavaria is a sort of artists' paradise, both the late King Louis and
the present Maximilian being determined to leave behind them the glory
of munificent patrons of art. In this they have so far succeeded, that
Munich, which before their time was by no means among German cities
the most worthy a traveler's attention, may now dispute the palm even
with Dresden, notwithstanding the unrivaled gallery of paintings,
possessed by the latter. For students of modern art, and especially
of the German schools, Munich is incomparable, while its collection of
ancient sculptures cannot be equaled out of Italy. We now learn that
King Maximilian has conceived the plan of a grand series of pictures
to comprehend the prominent epochs and events of history. The most
eminent German and foreign artists are to be invited to assist in
carrying out this immense undertaking; so that thus the series will
not only represent the great experiences of mankind, but will, it is
hoped, contain specimens of all the great schools of modern painting.
* * * * *
An exhibition of indisputable works by the old painters is now open
at Valenciennes, in France. It consists of pictures belonging to the
family of the Belgian general Rottiers. They are for sale, either
single or together. Among them is a St. Denis, bearing his Head, by
Rubens, said to have been painted by order of Pope Urban VIII. It was
deposited in the Convent of the _Annunciades_, at Antioch; in 1747,
Louis XV. offered 100,000 francs for it, but was refused, the convent
having no right to dispose of it. Afterward, on the suppression
of the convent, it fell into the hands of the family to which it
now belongs. The exhibition also contains a landscape by Salvator
Rosa, representing a scene in the Appenines; a Magdalen kneeling
in a Cavern, by Kneller; two Allegories, by Giulio Romano; several
portraits by Rubens and Van Dyke, besides other works of less value.
* * * * *
Darley's "Sleepy Hollow."--The London Art Journal, for July, has the
following notice of Mr. Darley's illustrations of Irving's "Legends of
Sleepy Hollow," published by the _American Art Union_: "The charmingly
quaint original legend told with so much quiet humor by Washington
Irving, is here illustrated by a native artist in a congenial spirit,
and his scenes realized in a manner which must give its author
satisfaction, and redound to the credit of the designer. We have
before noticed the great ability exhibited by Mr. Darley for the mode
of illustration he adopts, which we may add is that rendered famous
by Retzsh. The series we are now noticing are quite as meritorious as
that designed by the same artist to Rip Van Winkle; but the subject
matter is not equally capable of such broad contrasts in drollery
as that legend presents. Nevertheless, Mr. Darley has executed his
task in the truest appreciation of his author; and his hero is the
veritable Ichabod Crane of Irving; his love-making scene with "the
peerless daughter of Van Tassel" is exquisite in its quiet humor;
so also is the merry-making in the Dutch Farmer's home. Altogether,
the series is extremely good, and does the greatest credit to the
designer. American literature thus illustrated by American artists
cannot fail to achieve honor to that country in the old world as well
as the new. We believe Mr. Darley, in his line, to be as great as any
American artist whose works have fallen under our notice."
* * * * *
Chaucer's Monument.--The _Athenæum_ says, "One of the objections
formerly urged against taking steps to restore the perishing memorial
of the Father of English Poetry in Poet's Corner was, that it was not
really his tomb, but a monument erected to do honor to his memory a
century and a half after his death. An examination, however, of the
tomb itself, by competent authorities, has proved this objection to
be unfounded--inasmuch as there can exist no doubt, we hear, from
the difference of workmanship, material, &c., that the altar tomb is
the original tomb of Geoffrey Chaucer,--and that instead of Nicholas
Brigham having erected an entirely new monument, he only added to that
which then existed the overhanging canopy, &c. So that the sympathy of
Chaucer's admirers is now invited to the restoration of what till now
was really not known to exist--_the original tomb_ of the Poet--as
well as to the additions made to it by the affectionate remembrance of
Nicholas Brigham."
* * * * *
Lessing's new picture.--A letter from Düsseldorf under date of
9th July, in the _Courier and Enquirer_, says that Lessing's great
painting, "The Martyrdom of Huss," Sad just been finished and had been
exhibited for the last few days at the Academy of Fine Arts, where
it was visited by thousands. When it became known that orders for its
immediate shipment had arrived from New York, the desire to obtain a
last view of this truly great work became so intense that it was found
necessary to put the Police in requisition to keep back the throng,
and the gates of the Academy had to be closed. It causes general
regret that it is to be sent out of the country. The _Cologne Gazette_
calls this picture the most sublime production of the great artist,
and expresses the conviction that a speedy fortune might be realized
by its exhibition in Europe.
* * * * *
Mr. George Flagg has just completed a portrait of Mrs. E. Oakes Smith,
which will be ranked among the first productions of his pencil. We
know of scarce a picture as beautiful or a portrait as truthful. It is
to be engraved, we believe, by Cheney.
* * * * *
Mlle. Rachel.--The wonderful accuracy of the death-scene in "Adrienne
Lecouvreur" has been the object of universal praise in London, not
merely from the thrilled and thralled public, but from men of art
and science. A physician, it is said, was complimenting Mademoiselle
on her amazing truth to the symptoms of mortal agony: "You must have
studied death closely," said he. "Yes, I have," was the quiet reply;
"my maid's. I went up to her--I stayed with her--she recommended her
mother to me!--I was studying my part." This is probably merely one
of those cynical stories with which the sharp people of Paris love
to environ and encircle every one who stands a dangerous chance of
becoming too popular. But smaller artists than Mademoiselle Rachel
have sometimes had recourse to curious expedients to give their
dramatic personations a show at reality. The French _prima donna_, who
not very long ago appeared in M. Clapisson's poor opera, "Jeanne la
Folle," is said to have shut herself up in the _Salpêtrière_, by way
of studying _her_ part, and to have been rewarded for her zealous
curiosity by receiving a basin of scalding soup dashed in her face by
one of the poor miserable objects of her examination.
* * * * *
A Frankfort journal states that the colossal statue of Bavaria, by
SCHWANTHALER, which is to be placed on the hill of Seudling, surpasses
in its gigantic proportions all the works of the moderns. It will have
to be removed in pieces from the foundry where it is cast to its place
of destination,--and each piece will require sixteen horses to draw
it. The great toes are each half a metre in length. In the head two
persons could dance a polka very conveniently,--while the nose might
lodge the musician. The thickness of the robe--which forms a rich
drapery descending to the ankles--is about six inches, and its
circumference at the bottom about two hundred metres. The Crown
of Victory which the figure holds in her hands weighs one hundred
quintals (a quintal is a hundred-weight).
* * * * *
The death of SIR ROBERT PEEL, says the _Literary Gazette_, has
awakened a busy competing spirit for the production of articles
relating to him, and especially in connection with Literature and the
Arta. In the one, Memoirs, Speeches, Recollections, Anecdotes, &c.,
have been abundantly supplied; and in the other, every printshop
window in London displays its Peels of every style and every degree,
but mostly very indifferent, absolutely bad, or utter caricature.
* * * * *
Goupil, Vibert & Co. have published a series of portraits of eminent
Americans which is deserving of the largest approval and sale.
The head of Mr. Bryant is the best ever published of that poet; it
presents his fine features and striking phrenology with great force
and with pleasing as well as just effect. A portrait of Mr. Willis
is wonderfully truthful, in detail, and is in an eminent degree
characteristic. The admirers of that author who have not seen him will
find in it their ideal, and all his acquaintances will see in it as
distinctly the real man who sits in the congress of editors as the
representative of the polite world. The head of the artist Mount,
after Elliott, is not by any means less successful. Among the other
portraits are those of Gen. Scott, President Fillmore, Robert Fulton,
J.Q. Adams, Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster, and President Taylor. They are all
on imperial sheets, and are sold at $1 each.
* * * * *
The Paris papers tell a story of a young actor, who finding no
engagement in that city, came to America to try his fortune. From
New Orleans he went to California, was lucky as a digger, embarked
in business and got immensely rich. He is now building in the Champs
Elysées a magnificent hotel for his mother. All actors are not so
fortunate.
* * * * *
Expected arrivals from Nineveh.--The Great Bull, and upward of one
hundred tons of sculpture, excavated by Dr. Layard, are now on their
way to England, and may be expected in the course of September. In
addition-to the Elgin, Phigalian, Lycian, and Boodroun marbles, the
British Museum will soon be enriched with a magnificent series of
Assyrian sculptures.
* * * * *
Mr. Burt has nearly finished the "Anne Page and Slender" of Leslie,
which is to be the annual engraving of the Art Union. It will be an
admirable picture, but we cannot but regret that the managers selected
for this purpose a work so familiar.
* * * * *
The French Minister of the Interior has decided that marble busts of
M. Gay-Lussac and of M. Blainville shall be executed at the expense of
the government, and placed in the Institute.
* * * * *
Mr. Powell, who is living in Paris, engaged upon his picture for the
capital, has been in ill health nearly all the summer.
* * * * *