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T H E N E W PA1\ T H.
PUBLISHED BY THE
Society for the Advancement of
TRUTH IN ART.
NoT     3.] "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which
are, [J    1863.
and the things that shall be hereafter."
PALMER THE SCULPTOR.
TiE question is sometimes asked us,
is Palmer a Pre-Raphaelite?  In an-
swer to such questions we might
explain-we often do explain, that the
Pre-Raphaelites are the present English
representatives of the great and never
dying naturalist school of Artists-not
the only ones either, as there are now
living in England great and true natur-
alist painters who are not Pre-Raphael-
ites.  But we are content for the
present to let the term Pre-Raphaelitism
pass as a synonym for naturalism, and
answer the question; in the spirit in
which it is put.
Is Palmner a Pr-Raphaelite?
No, by no means.
Why1 don't you consider him a
what do you call it ? a naturalist?
Not at all.
Then I suppose you don't admire his
work?    Don't think him   a great
sculptor?
Indeed we do not.
Upon which our questioner, if he be
a modest man, wonders what we can
mean, and is silent; if more confident
in his own opinion exclaims in indig-
nant remonstrance.
Indeed there is a general opinion
that Mr. Palmer is a great sculptor;
and, among those who have heard of
such a title, that he is one of the
naturalists. His works are generally
popular, many of them have been ex-
hibited in New York, and photographs
of them are everywhere to be seen.
In speaking of them, description will
not be necessary.   The fact of their
popularity is not in itself of any weight,
against or in favor of their artistic
merit; for, although it may be con-
sidered prim-afacie. evidence that they
are superficial in sentiment, yet most
very great works of Art have their
popular side, and will please the multi-
tude in spite of their greatness.
Is there, in these sculptures, any-
thing that indicates love of the noble
and true, and ability to understand it ?
Are there the evidences of accurate
perception of, and sympathy with
human emotion? Is there imagination
in them-invention-the creation by
the artist of anything not before pos-
sessed by the world? We ask ques-
tions, because we wish our readers to
think for themselves; and we ask these
questions, because if they are answered
in the negative, such answer will dis-
miss any claim that these sculptures
may have put in to be considered as
great art.
Mr. Palmer's best known works con-
sist of full length figures or busts of
young and beautiful women, nearly or
quite nude. Some are intended to tell,
or rather to be pathetic stories; thus
the Indian Girl is represented as having
found a cross, which she carefully ex-
amines; and the statue is expected to
explain itself by expression of face and