The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-12
ART MATTERS.
Tho Wnfcr-C0lor Exhibition-North and
East Rooms.

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The Wnier-Coior Exhibition-Norths and
East Rooms.
The exhibition at the Academy OF Design OF the
American Society OF Painters in Water Colors has
now been open Tor a sufficiently long time Tor a
pretty fair estimate to be made, by connoisseurs
among the pnblic, OF its merits and detects. Nearly
500 drawings are displayed in all, and OF these a
very large proportion are by American artists.
There is no question but that the exhibition, as q
whole, is not only much better than tnat Of last
season, but better than that OF any previous sea-
son. THIS Is admitting a good deal; for, though
more than one season may be remembered which
reflected little credit upon artists, so far as
their attempts in this line were concerned, there
have been shows in which the merit reached
high degree ana which were a strong rebuttai to
the frequent and severe dsparagements that had
been made. The attendance, too, has this year
been very large; and, though the sales have not
been rs active could be desired. that can be
only too easily accounted for by the general apathy
that has reigned IN all branches OF business, and
particularly in those concerned with art.
This morning We contlne ourselves to the North
and East rooms and leave the corridor and the West
Room to another occasion. Taxing the East Room
as first in order, one or the first works that
attract the eye is large drawing by J. b. Hardy.
1T represents the tide coming in at Schaveningen,
and Is an unusually beautiful and truthful ex-
preston OF the atmospheric and other
elemental facts OF such scene. The dense
impending walls of cloud, the ruttering
sea pirds the sturdy conflict OF breeze
and brine, the curiously constructed and very
picturesque craft Oh the edge of the shore, the
group of busy people, are all brought into harmony
with each other with that powerful skill which
can make the salt aroma OF the incoming tide
realized through sense alien to the sense Of
smell. No. 206 represents 'SailOr on Shore"
This work is by Whatley, and We have no doubt
that the sailor is good pious sailor, the moral
sailor whom we all know IN fiction and whom
body ever knew in fact. Thomas Eakins has two
excellent drawings in their way, one representing
'sThe Pair Dared Race-JOhn and Barney Biglin
Turning the stakcs,' and the other John Bigln,
the Sculler.' Mr.. A. +. Bellows is very numer-
ously represented, and the majority OF his conri.
buttons evnce all his characteristic merits and
defects. Mr.. Bellows dotes the varieties Of
English landscape life. He loves matched cot
tages quiet parsOnages, old houses buried In
moss or preserved In ivy; lonely fording
places immured In shrouds of tender
green. He would rather reproduce a
the loyeiest waysde scene through the length and
breadth or America And yet he expresses his
prejudices with such singular sweetness and iehc-
Ity that We do not know he has ever given offence
TO any one that admires him. shs snatches OF Eng
sh rural life are so luscious in tone so mellow and
a1ectiOnate In ieellng, so rich ana sensuous in
their profuson OF beautiful greens, that the place
he has established Is entirely unique. In the East
Room will be found from his hand "A New England
Cottage Door," "Oid Mill on the Thames" shank
lin, Isle OF Wight" 'Brook study (" "Brch,' BIZ
ling Church, Kent. England, " and STUDY at Cape
three others Of his productions. Nearly all these
drawings are remarkable for expressing nature in
an indOent and delicious mOOd-seciuded and lux
urlant spots richly cultivated oy the hand OF man;
yet where city liie with Its temptations and
pleasures seems garish dream, and the true life
Is et to he that OF the hgnly cultivated but brood
Ing, happy and ambiriOnless Arcadian.
But We are leaving little room Tor others Half
a dozen cathedrals and old houses by Dibdln will
be sure to rlvet the gaze OF all who love archtec-
tural drawing when employed yin preserving the
sentiment of antiquity and slowly crumbling de.
cay. Marry has fine Oriental scene. in which a
[ lurid sky envelopes in mysterious shadows tinged
with touch OF fire, vast mound OF earth, whence
may be drniy seen a troop OF nurrying horsemen
making for city whose spires are family dis
cerned. This picture Is remarkable Tor its hurry and
notion its twilight aterglOw and its unms able
oriental sentiment Figure" by SlmOnettI, Is q
rich bit OF color, executed in his best style, the
subject being Handsomely dressed lady angling
in q garden pond Mr.. r. swain Gfrord's "Roc's
Egg'' Is very happily handled. The theme is OBJ
ant and suggestive Arabian Nights magic in the
treatment and in the spirit Of tue landscape.
The North Room is equally prolific Of good things.
best vein. This lady has had abundant opportunity
OF studying spanish beauties OF various conditions,
and she has won that popularity in subjects Of
this KIND which intimate familiarity with them
and a certain warmth Of color and grace OF ex-
preston unite TO confer. Thomas w. Marshall's
slnterIor at BarbisOn, France" Is very rich. The
best picture we have ever seen from Mr. J. ID.
Smile represents a lost bull. The subject con-
tains dash OF humOr, but the artist has well eX-
pressed the bovine tragedy OF the situation, and
given to the landscape richness OF color which
we have not observed in any or his Otner Efforts
DIGNITY in Servitude,'' by Tiffany, represents the
erect port and stad demeanOr OF an Eastern
servant performing his duty in the splendid palace
OF the despot who owns him. ''Tbe Burning East
by the same artist reprOduces with truth the
vOluptuOus supineness. beneath slender palmet-
toes, OF group oil Eastern people. But we thin k
the sense or overpOwering heat which suggested
the title OF the work should have been more
alphabetically expressed. j. q. Browns s'Rustic
Miliner'' Is in the old and happy vein with which
all the world is fainiliar-a bare-iegged little girl
browning with flowers q younger girl, better
dressed. Bricher has several excellent marines >
Silva or two not far below his best, but petter
than what has until recently been his average.
.uorning Cal," by Saunier, Is remarkable speci-
men OF the dignity which q master can give to q
very Owly theme. A cock, standing at daybreGk
on d dunghili crows That is the subject. The
treatment makes it almost poetical, and chantl-
aeer becomes KING performing an act OF cour-
tesy the sun. We have left no room to do JUS
tice to Dettl's singuarly powerful of accesso-
rics in 'The Card Players." Wants "Duke's
Pager is O fine and bold piece OF color, and repre-
sents pretty, richly dressed boy holding ready
his masters sword. The rooms are open day and
evening" aud VIII remain 80 for fortnight longer.