The New York herald., 1879-02-12
FINE ARTS.


THE BLACK AND WHITE EXHIBITION OF THE
sALMAGUSDI SKETCH cLuB--TIRsT NOTICE
This evening the private view OF the hrst regular
exhibition by the salmagund Sketch Club. of works
in black and white will take place at the Kurz Gal
lery. The collection of about two hundred and hty
black and white OILS charcoal crayon. Indian ink.
pencil and pen and ink drawings. etchings and wood
engravings will be found to have q high average of
excellence and to be very interesting. While paint
ers In oils and water colors of established
reputation are represented the public will also be
pleased to recognize examples of that little band OF
"biack and white" artists whose work s chiefly
found in the illustrated magazines and weekies
Here. as in the black and white room at the Academy
are numbers OF original drawings which 1t is inter-
esting to compare with the little reproductions en-
graved from photographs on the block. which are
framed in several cases with them. Where this lis
not the case the originals will call to mind the en-
cravings which have been noted from time to time
One of the most noticeable numbers in the collec.
ton is frame OF crayon and pencil studies by Walter
Shiraw for his large picture, Sheep Shearing in the
the salient character lines in face, and costume
given with knowledge. The two female figures at
either end and the pair OF heads grouped together in
the right centre very striking. A second frame
contains study for another OF the female figures
the large frame which hangs in the position Of
honor on the east wall is ''rhe Rivulet, an effective
poetic landscape in oil, by +. Murphy. The pic.
turesque tree in the centre OF the upright canvas
stands out against q luminous SKY.
Perhaps the most charming work III the whole
display is George w. Maynards Psyche" crayon
study 1t is an exquisite conception, admirably
ried ont. The beautiful girl the embodiment OF the
SOUL hoats in mid air waftci by the gentle breeze,
which plays Oh her upraiscd gossamer wings. and
curls more closely the light drapery around the
lower part of her nude figure. About her circle
her emblems. the butterflies. The composition is
exceedingly good. the lines formed by the gradually
increasing strength of the darks which culmnatc in
the head and wings. by the naturally poised body and
the drapery. being admirably chosen and given. The
concentration OF the swarm Of butterflies about the
head is another good point.
Winsow Homer sends q frame of very clever and
effective outdoor studies in pencil gray paper with
the high lights in Chinese white. In another are
grouped three decidedly impressonistic memoranda
Of scenes at Coney Island and incsively drawn
characterful sketch OF pretty. determined girl
standing the beach, with set face and threatening
fan The original drawing: in Indian ink. Of T. 4;
be noticed with pleasure in the centre Of the south
wall Strange to say, though it il an old English
scene the artist has given the ringers face the color
and character of that of negro Near this one Of
the two striking works in oil from Grand Menan
sketches which represent J. g. Brown. The two
pulling away Justify in the boat clean cut
bits of character. and the effect of light and shade
shows great skill. This quality is also in
the west wall In this. however, noto that the
upper part OF the figure of the old boatman standing
is out Of drawing and that his head y too large Ine
urcs excellent. Grouped around this latter
work is q dreamy boys head drawn by
inness, a Jr. in which which il % is diicult : to decide
which drawn the worst, tho cattle or the human
beings; Il. A. Abbeys sterling drawing reproduced
in Ha,pers Weekly of the innocent stratAgem Of tho
two heroic girls who played tho fife aud drum to de-
ceiye some British ships IN 1872; and O. s. Renhars
rather thinly given but expressive pen and ink.
which appeared in the Graphic. illustrating the
pillory incident in Hawthornos Scarlet Letter.
Under the Brown Is al admirable etching by
Robert Blum OF Fortuny's picture ''The Carpet
Bazar."
Howard Pyle is represented by careful and
good scene at carnival time in Philadelphia in
colonial days, and his strongly given and
admirably composed scene in y life saving
station, the announcement Of wreck, both
OF which have appeared in Harp~'s Weekly.
very interesting frame contains seven excellent
by Mary Hallock Foote, which recently appeared in
scribners "Back to the Ola Home. is pathetic and
well told story by s. @. McCutchcon. a second aud
pleasing example by Maynard shows little Venetian
boy playing on guitar. Charles Osborne is repre-
scnted by .'Orphcus and Eurydice. rather unequal
work which in parts however does him great credit.
has scored decided success in his painting.
nsgI0d kneeling down III front Of and lo3E.
ing drcamiy into the fire. which she has
bellows which lies by her The Are lights up edec-
lively the charming face and handsome neck aud
arms. large crayon bySSarony after street scene
by Marny, should never have been hung. for copies
Ehould not be admissible. G. =. Rcinhsrt's amusing
old time scene of the family party hurryins to catch
tration. dainty, charming little figure OF pretty
girl with tambourinc is by Maria Oakley. Abbey's
:.shepherds Went Their way''-a serious reverentia
and dignifed work-will be seen aud admired again.
Z. L. Durand has given very pretty
girl coming along, . garden walk; in which
the face is admirably painted and the pose
and the general effect of the figure good though
the handling in the lower part s weak. On the WHOLE
however, bravo! Mr. Durand. NJ. ]. Burns sends
skilfully handled study Of surf breaking rocks.
The effect of light the water Is very real and
noticeable point is the quiet gray tone In which the
rocks are kept. "Thc vigil Is one of the strongest
pieces OF work j. L. Kelly has ever produced A
signed etching of Whistler by himself . pencil
sketch by Fortuny and an interesting and dashingy
treated pen and ink by L. Marchefti form part Of
the collection. The admission charged after the ex-
hibtion opens to the public, on Thursday, will be
tho ut the Academy, and the works will be
sold as is usual at private sale.