A VALUABLE COLLECTION OF PICTURES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5209, 1 December 1877, Page 1 (Supplement)

A VALUABLE COLLECTION OF PICTURES.

(From Uie San Fmuiisco Newsletter, Oct. IC.) Thu most select, ami, taken altogether,_ the nv st valuable collection of pictures, by strictly American artists, ever brought to this city, is probably that recently ou exhibition at the gallery of’ Messrs. .Morris, Schwab, mid Co., 19 and 21 Post-street, It is really astonishing that, with our limited population, it pays this Bnu to snatch away from Knstorn connoisseurs the must valuable works of the d >y. The fact must ho taken as the best po sidle evidence that our well-to-do citizens are cultivating a love of art creditable to themselves and to the Oueen City of the Pacific. It is evidently not ttaic-~as is sometimes said of us —that we are all so immersed in money-getting that the lindier and more relining influences of life are bebpr neglected. It any one hereabouts vainly imagines there is any truth in that libel, let him visit the establishment of Messrs. Morns, Schwab, and Co. and take note of the many excellent and valuable works of high art those

experienced judges of this market find it advantageous and profitable to bring to this city. Yc-torday we spent some time in their os‘a’ li-hmeiir, and were h*d to these reflections by w!i:it we there saw. We were struck with rove a! of the oUtur r, and conscientiously believe they wou'd do credit to even the Acadeni} 7 exhihitio ss in London. Our eve fir-t caught a Urge picture ent.tled, “The Tramp,” by Eastman Johnson. The scene is a remarkable one. and the ixeenti'*n quite I dmitaMe. The face, ide, a..d m il:e-up of the tr imp, who h >s cal ed for alms at a country residence, are all as ifelike as nature it,-elf. Thee is emhoweiol in foliage, the lights ‘md shades and c loriug of which are a l.niraMy conceived. 'l'he tramp’s pal awaits around the corner in an’evid mt state of expectancy. The t«m*» is quiet and subdu.-d. 'The drawing is bold and characteristic, and the grouping of the family, wlio are attracts 1 by the unwelcome visitor, imparts a peculiar vividness to the whole scene, which is cer ainly drawn by the hand of a master. “ AuLu nn Sunset,” by J. \V. Rx, for ricluie-s of foliage, perfection of coloring, and facility of exec ition, is worthy a place in any gallery. Toe Irrowu of the falling leave-, the grey of the trees, and the rich green of early Autumn are each and all a study. This picture is also remarkable for its breadth of execution, “Lassoing the Bear” by James Walker, is a most striking picture. The conception is bold and most spiritedly executed. The party of six vaqueros, gaily capprisoned, mounted on chargers of high mettl ', and with lassos flying in the air, whilst bruin is brought to bay, presents a grand opportunity for bold drawing, which, to tell the whole truth, is made the most of. It is a striking picture that makes a strong impression upon the mind of the beholder. We imagine as wo write that the whole scene is before us. “ The Old Homestead,” by Geo. Inness. This picture secured the premier position at the exhibition this year of the Academy of York city. The coloring is remarkably pure, the gradations ot green and yellow being managed with matchless skill. “ Icebergs Under the Midnight Sun,” by Win. Bradford, is strikingly characteristic of Northern 1 lUtu es. Tt is a ludiliant picture, showing the d stuuce, wonderful coloring of the sun’s reflections upon the iceberg-, and a clear trmsparency to the water, “The Sower,” by 10. W. Perry. The figure of the young ami sturdy Im-b.mdman, stnvzug Seed upon tile newly ploughed land, is spiritedly drawn, full of action and life. “ 'The Poacher s Cottage,” by F. Welch, is full of atmomhere. 'The cattle drinking from an ever-flowing stream are uuu-uilly flue in both drawing and color. This artist left San Francisco only four years ago, and has made the most pronounced progress of any ait student in Munich. Judging from this specimen of his art, he well de<eiwcs the eulogies we have heird px-sed upon him. “The Wreck,” by James Hamilton, is full of the sentiment of the sea, ami is finely illustrative of the artist’s poetic fancy, “An Autumn Idyl,” by .Jervis McTntee, is worthy of this, the greatest autumnal painter in America. It is full of beautiful and tender coloring. “ The Divorce Court,” by W, H. Beard, is a mo-t humorous scene, about which a whole column might be written with advantage. This picture is kindly lent to Messrs. Morris, rich With, and Co. by one of our wealthiest citizens, so that the people of rian Francisco may have an opportunity of seeing a masterpiece of this eminent artist.