New-York tribune., 1872-02-15
FINE ARTS.
WATER-COLOR PAINTINGS.
FIFTH ANIMAL EXHIBITION,

somcly remcdicd by the hne ooiecuoh u "a'oi >'''
with which the walls of the North aud East hoons are
covered OF course 1t Is not to be expected tat az inc
psetures exhibited should be GOOD The art OF Water
Color painting among is as yet comparatively new.
OR artists have attained the grasp and the seni-
cnt OF the hast French school nor the mastery OF detail
o,d luminous coorng OF the excellent English painters
rut tho present collection not only contains q great
many pictures OF inconestahe merit nut, what is far
better It sives evidence OF genuine progress and
,rcmise j. we may judge from the advance indicated
fhs Spring shall not have long 10 wait FOR Water
color school that shall in its own way challenge
comparison with those which years OF accumulated
effort sound traditions have built up in England and
The Continent
II Is especially in their quick sympathy with nature
and in the loving delncahon Of its infinite phases OF
beauty and sugGestyeness that cur water color artists
show The greatest cspaCy In fact the good pictures
I,u almost exclusively within the category thus indi-
cscd The landscapes of Hart, OF want. OF Fenn Of
" T. Rchsris OF j. NJ Falconer, and q. A. Gilbert, and
those spir ted and delicate flower pieces Of Mrs. Carson
Gre absolutely good in themselves, showing direct CON-
imnion with nature, and giving no sign of savish re-
Ia.ce upon Any former master established style They
axe true reproductions Of American nature executed
with comprehension and fidelity which are admirable
In Cihor branches fail TO the same merit Inc
occasional Ctne pieces. such as the somnamluSt seeno
from Macbeth, the PORTRAITS OF animals done py 100
partial admirers, arc only worthy OF conpassion"o
silence.
The plac, OF honor Is yvorhily given william Hart,
whose Lake George excellent specimen, being alike
besutful and comprehensive, delicate in iandhng ana
rch in color. u also affords good cxaupe OF wha' VIC
meant by a comprehension of the scenery of our couD-
f~y. From whatever point you reSaId American la'u-
scpe its exceeding beauty must strike yOu. Viewed in
the foreground there IS great wealth OF detaih ana
spleador OF color. Viewed in the mid-dlstahce'
though the details LOST tho gorgeous cOlorlng
remains and il reinforced by the majesty Of mountain
scenery and the soft simmer Of lake waters viewed IN
y our1 flo is
lines of beauy-unduatins plains that swell into noun
tns forests that hang down the sides OF bills, and
every varying panorama OF rivers, woods and hed In
Hats picture have the middle distance
view. In the foreground Is the silvery sheen
of Lake George. in the mid-distance q point
Of land iuts ont upon the water. with trees
Vng with precious stones in the splendor of their col
ors Far beyond the gently heayipg bosom Of the
lake Iisos bold Bluff Over all is the arch Of heaven,
with rich success ion OF cloud forms.
W. do rot think Hart Is quite SO happy In bis next
picture entitled Eastern Sky" which is lacking in the
very point which the composition rested The fore
ground is all vegetation, rank marshy growth with few
Ian span trees. The green's have been kept down and
dark and cold. Beyond this vegetation stretches
waste OF snllcn water. which huge masses of
oumuus clouds meant to brood. and just TO snow
aor their ed res q silver lining This would have sue
coeded admirably in oils and also In water coOrs, II
Iarts h hand had the requisite cunning and tram
ing In the management of grays AS Is there are only
phos Of clouds. which produce very unpleasant effect
and dana 20 TIE picture The idea. however, Is full OF
,Oe1ry and suggests much to the mind Of the spectator
~ ali true paintings should do We hope to see 1t 1e
uewed in oil.
No 3l3 Mouth OF the ST. Johns River, Florida" ia by
Harry Fem, ana is very acceptable and excellent
landscape The dreary stretch of sand the arches OF the
pluetc and the depth OF blue color in the distant sea
are all well given. If there is fault, IL is that the
shadows incline opacity and at the same time do not
sufficiently indicate the tropical nature of the scene
The climate sufficiently accentuated, either in the
lights or shadows. Yet, despite this it has unden-
able truth about it, and is painted with strong, free
hand
No. 3os. "Norning Atlantic City, NewJersey," is by
william I. Richards Of Philadelphia, who also exhibits
FIVE other works. They have the merit Of fidelity
rad OF lelicacy in touch but they are deficient in
power. They are rather microscopic, and lack
They marked however, by careful study.
and by extremely wel-painted skies.
No. l2. The Reef of Norman's Cove" Is by Moran,
and has precisely what the pictures OF M Richards want
power ana Interest. be confessed that it lacks
what these have-delicacy and harmony OF color stl,
the latter can 10 gained by study and practice. while
the former be born OF the painters own organiza-
tion and can be acquired by amount Of labor and
care.
No 2)s, Study OF Beech Trees" Is by G. A. Gilbert.
1t reveals great comprehension OF tree forms and con-
siderable l. yers OF painting. The same artist has q
view on the Mosclie No. 2G6 which might better be
called a moonlight view. This is simply in black and
white ana shows plainly that Mr. Gilbert has plenty OF
power but has been in bad school. 1t looks Indeed
as II he Lad studied In d nhograrhng studio. The
Effects are well marked. bat they much too sharp
and garinG
wyatt has several pieces on exhibition, OF which a
very GOOD one, No. 263 "Late Autumn the Ausabie
River" There is power aud fidelity in this mans
brush Generally cold and tri1e hard, he has how
ever, glimpses of sweetness which very precious
sel-sie sketch called Gathering Shells" Is singu-
laIiy tender and pleasing In sentiment and tone, and
would light up any in which you might place it,
Tie foreign schools arc perhaps best represented by
the Windmill" OF HippOlye lie Bas, ana the "Byash
Church" of Bellows. frstnamed artist has but the
one picture exhibition, which Is decidedly French in
handling and in scenery. The manner in which the sky
Is yen l., wonderful for Its force fidelity, and sentiment
II painted almost completely iu gray tones which are
6noy graduated. The arrangement of the light is also
most artistic and tho water painted with deliciousy
liquid touches. The shadows are transparent and the
outline are very bold and full This picture is No. SOL
Irepresents windmilon borders Of tranquil mere
II would DO somewhat gloomy, but the somber sentiment
Is relieved by graceful figures OF women in front OF
the mill Bellows's picture is No. 372, and, OF the many
that represent him. IL is the that above all others
establishes his claim considered good painter in
water-colOrs. M Bellows has studied exclusively
under Eagl.>h influences and appears to have been
mainly guided by the works of Creswick He there
fore paints successfully only foreground pictures He
mas analytic power, and is by no means faithful
Interpreter OF natural scenery, IN his fore
grounds has made 1t his study TO present agree
ae contrasts Of dark and light green in foliage, and
10 relieve these by patches Of blue sky or the placid
walls OF rustic dwellings Take him away from these
and he Is lost In the picture No 372 there is nothing
bnt foreground. and he Is relieved from the
necessity of painting sky and clouds. this being region
where acquainted. The piece represents an old
ted foxy