The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-12-03
A PORTLAND ARTIST.
What Boston Thinks of His Pictures

What Boston Thinks of His Pictures.
Mr.. G.. R. Grant, a young Portland artist,
who resided here for some years, where his eff
forts were making name for him, but who
removed to Boston several years ago, is going
to Europe to study, and this is what the Bos-
ton Advertiser says of his pictures:
Mr.. Grant has for some years been known to
the public as painter of small figures, and
has considerable reputation in historical illus
tratiOns line which, as the exhibition proves,
occupies only small part of his time and
study. Looking at the collection on the walls
of the gallery the first impression is that it
makes an exceedingly agreeable ensemble of
color. Most of the pictures are gray. There
is scarcely canvas in the list that fails to har-
monte with the general scheme of gray tones
That this grayness is, more or less, decided
and definite choice of the artist, not altogether
the bias of his vision, may be abundantly seen
in some of the lesser works, and notably in
some open air studies. where he falls into re-
alistic and vigorous way OF painting quite diff
ferent from his usual style. Mr. Grants pic
lures are by no means monotonous. notwlth-
standing their color, for, while they are gray,
they have variety and strength enough to at
tract as bits of decoration. The subject is, hap
PLY, often an important element in them, and
Mr.. Grant shows himself apt in selecting
agreeable and picturesque corners of
landscape to accompany his figures
The most complete picture in the collection,
considering them as finished productions, IS
one called" Land and Atmosphere of Witches"
Three maidens in the quaint costumes OF our
grandmothers have passed in their walk an old
woman, who stands half crouching and turned
towards the girls as if muttering curse. 1t is
early twilight, and some of the warm glow of
the sky is reflected ON the landscape. The fig
ures are very well done, and the landscape
rich and pleasing in color Beside this picture
hangs a smaller one holder in effect, and paint
ed with more freedom. called "An Autumn
Day" A young girl standing on a hillside is
watching an OK team in the distance slowly
toiling up the rise. Almost every one of the
studies are pictures in their way-a gratifying
proof of Mr.. Grants appreciation of what
makes picture, and satisfactory evidence
that he works in clear and well defined man
ner towards the result. There are number
of single figures of ladies, painted apparently
with no other object than the representation
of an attractive combination of color. A deli
cate sentiment, however. is sure to accompany
every study of this kind. Whether it be in the
lines of the figure or the refinement of the
tone, or both it is there, and gives to the stud
les charm more precious than that of
finished work. Noticeable among these is
study of young woman seated in the stern
of dory which is hauled upon the beach,
Not by any means realistic, yet full OF sugges-
tions of nature, it compares agreeably with
STUDY Ol u ldruloT, Will Ills Vic WHlCH
above it. The latter is, perhaps, the strongest
bit OF painting in the collection. Few will
however. prefer its strength to the grace of the
others. Another picture different in charac-
ter from either of these, but quite as interes-
ting, is a study Of two women seated on , long
from the sunshine to the shadow. There are
landscapes enough to show that the artist can
make of pure landscape motives pictures of
exceptional attractivenes. Two of sky effects,
No. so and No. 81, are vigorous bits, strongly
painted, and there is little in the collection
more broadly executed than No. 104. There
are, besides the pictures above mentioned sew
eral others that amply deserve consideration.
Full justice would not be done Mr.. Grants
exhibition if the head of a young lady, hung
over the staircase, were not mentioned for its
delicate coloring and strong effect of light
Mr.. Grant certainly merits every encourage
ment, for he shows by his exhibition COM
mendable diligence and an uncommon talent.
The collection is the result of the past three
years labor, and is record that does honor to
the artist, and will doubtless secure him a
just reward.