REPORT OF MR. MILLETT.
195
by an exaggeration of liis faults, and one finds in Roller’s pictures little more than formal poses, rigid and hard contours and feelingless composition, coupled with some good color ;— an acquirement learned, but not felt out. To pass by Canon, with his too evident imitation of the old Italian painters, a multitude of small genres engages the attention, and in a review of the qualities that distinguish them all as a mass, pi'ettiness is found to constitute the pre-eminent mark of their excellence. Almost every incident of social life had its illustration iu the Austrian department, and as I have before remarked, there was nothing of a national character to distinguish these scenes from the same subjects found elsewhere. The battle scenes of Sigmund L’Allemand are of remarkable excellence. Quiet in color and effect, almost to a fault, they appeal as truthful representations of the events of modern 'War. A cavalry charge was especially noticeable. This Picture is so full of incident, and so unconsciously true in the actions of the figures and expressions, that it may be ranked as the best of the battle-pieces shown in the Exposition. The natural variety of expression and marked individuality °t pose, are accompanied by no dramatic, overdrawn situations but the scene passes before the eye in its truest aspect.
Lenbach exposed both in the German and the Austrian apartment, but he was better seen in the latter. Ilis por tmit of the Emperor Francis Joseph is too crude in color to be considered successful, though the artist has given much of le rugged picturesqueness of the face of his imperial sitter. The list of Lenbach’s portraits embraces many types of face, ^ n( l they are all painted with wonderful accuracy of tone.
°me of them, hardly more than rough sketches, give the ^baracter of the sitter unexceptionally, and are among the ?hest examples of portraiture shown. Not less noticeable j u Lenbach’s portraits is the distinguished depth of tone and "iiniony hi the ensemble. Everything is subordinate to the ^ s h, and while this fails often to give its rich and brilliant °°t of color, even in contrast with a sombre background ail( l Well massed drapery and accessories, there is always the ^ ai k of originality and power of execution upon them. Len- a ° 1 seenis to take in at glance all the characteristics of his ^fiel and to suggest as much as possible aupremier coup.