THE LOUVRE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 153, 7 April 1876, Page 7

THE LOUVRE.

I almost fear to venture upon saying anything about the Louvre. This time, just a few words. The first hall into which I entered was that which contains the paintings presented by M. Louis La Caze, a princely gentleman who at first professed medicine, and after some years, in which he chiefly devoted his attention to the poor, who received his attention gratis, he became enamoured with the mystery of the easel. His opinion of painting was often sufficient to determine its value. With rare wisdom, he decided not to allow his collections to be broken up ; accordingly he presented the whole to the Louvre, where they are kept together in one hall. Among the paintings which I most admired, were " Moses Striking the Rock," "The Death of Seneca," "St. Ambrose Giving an Alms," " The Battle," " Combat between Bears and Tigers," " The Fowl Dexler," "The Beggar ," "Gil," "M. Louis La Caze," and the " Marriage of Mary." In the first there is a splendid grouping of figures ; °every feeling which the circumstance could elicit being depicted in one or other of the countenances. Seneca has an expression at once of resignation and of dread. He is surrounded by disciples, who pen his last words. At his feet, the physician opens the veins whence the life-stream is to ebb. St. Ambrose is represented as a man of great intellectual vigor, yet free from that clerical expression which he had not acquired in his previous occupations. " The Battle " represents a noble steed attacked by lions, one of them has seized him in the back, while another worries him behind. It is one of Rubens', and possesses many traits of that master-hand, The " Fowl Dealer " is very fine, as a collection of subjects, but almost fatiguing to the eye by the multiplicity of the I things represented. However, while the mistress of the "coni cern " is eno-ao-ed waiting upon a customer, to whom she seems ! quite attentive, a couple of dogs and two monkeys dispute the posI session of certain articles which have taken their fancy. " The I Beo-o-ar " is the picture of a contented grumbler, who would curse or ! bless in the same breath. "Gil" will make any Quaker think of G. L. Fox. What struck us in the " Marriage of Mary," was the skill with, which the light is thrown to the centre of the painting, which is 1 quite small, and in which, nevertheless, the features of Mary are 1 seen to the greatest advantage, "M. La. Caze" is painted by himself, and shows a very fine countenance — affable, self-sacrificing and ! nei«-hbor-loving looking. He has left the best monument after '. hint, one which will instruct and improve the taste of thousands. IHe died like a true artist, his arms in hand. While showing his collection to two amateurs, he dropped dead. Death surprised him, but it cannot destroy his reputation. That lives in his deeds.— i' Catholic Standard .'