REPORT OF MR. MILLETT.
209
Totally unlike the generality of Düsseldorf landscapes are the pictures of L. Munthe, who, it is hard to believe, paints in that city of artistic conventionalism. After a study of his two strong landscapes, shown in the Norwegian section, one is forced to admit that much good can come out of Düsseldorf.
Both these pictures were inspired by a similar feeling for the mournful phases of the landscape. One of them, a winter scene, chi’ll and drear, doubtless a motive from'one of the plains of Norway, is especially strong in color. Half- melted snow covers the ground, and the footprints in the road are dark and full of water. The sky is sombre and dreary, and the snow has a sympathetic tone. A brilliant streak of chill light in the horizon makes the landscape still more sad, and faintly touches the cluster of low houses in the distance and the shivering figures fishing through the ice in the foreground. There is complete harmony of the tones with the subject. A hillside in autumn, peasants gathering potatoes, a network of bare branches and brown foliage against the sky. This is the other landscape full of mournful indications of coming winter joined with all the beauties of harvest-time.
In the marines there is less to commend than among the Danish pictures. II. G. Schauche contributed several sea- coast views, true in tone, but not altogether felicitous in composition. Two church interiors, by V. Lerche, were remarkable for luminous effect and good color. If exceptions be m ade in favor of the Bridal Party in the Forest , by Fidern, es sentially German in every respect, there was scarcely a Noticeable figure piece in the Norwegian collection.
Greece sent but very few pictures, and among them the w orks of N. Lutrax were the only ones having special merits. These pictures w 7 ere surprisingly original in conception and treatment. One of them illustrates the burning of a Turk- Jsh frigate, with a boatful of Greek sailors rowing away in the foreground. Although the position of the rowers is in the most difficult foreshortening, the drawing and modelling are excellent, and the color surprisingly rich. A thorough Greek in his likes and dislikes, the artist gave also a group Greek children, singing to drum and fife accompaniment, Panted with a strong hand and full of character.
It may be gathered from the preceding pages that with the 27