The New York herald., 1879-03-30
FINE ARTS.

FIrrY-FoURrH ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF THE
ACADEMY OF DEsIGN--IMroBTAKr PICTURES
FIRST NOTICE.
The National Academy Of Design and the public
have every reason be satisfied with the fourth
annual exhibition. which will be opened by the re-
ception and private view tomorrow evening. 1t is
by the best exhibition yet made and great ad-
vance all along the line is noted last
year. The general average Ia much higher.
and there are. comparatively speaking. few
really bad pictures, The Hanging Committee
for deserve great praise, not only for making
smaller and better selected collection than usual but
for the hanging. which. in general is very judicous
They have been liberal also. and for once least
the work and not the mans name is what they have
looked at. great step forward should be credited
to the Academy when it is able to elect Hanging
Committee which. in round numbers. out Of 1000
works submitted, only hangs 600 Other points to
be noted that the high general average of artis
tic quality is not due in great part TO the pictures
from American students in Europe. as was the case
two years since or to the works of the younger men
who not long ago. ON their return from abroad cs-
tablshed the Society of American Artists These
gentlemen. though well represented, are not so by
important canvases. Still. to the stimulating In
huence the older and more established artists of
the displays made at the exhibitions of that young
vigorous. though hot-headcd and often ill-advised
society," whose second exhibition has just closed the
present gratifying result is due.
On yesterday "varnishing Day"-the galleries
well filed by artist exhibitors and few Others
and with the exception Of those painters who
thought their pictures had been badly hung the
general expression Of opinion was decidedly favora-
Bile to the quality Of the display and to the Hang
ing Committee.
-
wall Of the southern larger gallery. hangs
Clouds. No. 1886, an admirable example of Jervis
McEntee. low lying mass of clouds forms. broods
and shadows moorland. and In thc distance
the sunlight breaks through. Tho painting is
fine harmony of grays and browns and the
atmospheric effect is excellent. To tho left of
this canvas is the finest single figure piece in the
collection. George Fullers "a Roinncy Girl" Ca35,
she stands at the edge Of woods with few spears Of
wheat in her left hand. looking out at us with
big. black eyes that fairly sparkle. The pose is
good the head admirable and the treatment through
out masterly, barring the prevalent greenish grsys
tee. hangs superb portrait l3i0) by b. G. Porter OF
charming, pensivc, wellroundod matron. The
pose Of the seated ngure s graceful the body is wci
felt under the dress. the modelling and feM
tones are fresh and admirable aud the hands are
finely drawn In contrast to this note the life size
ington The face is we'll painted but there seems 10
be no body beneath the dress and the figure stands
upon its legs with much the same feeling OF inter
indifference TO the force OF gravity TO be counter.
acted by them, which might be supposed to be that
OF alay ngurc supported by other means. The arms
are noticcably bad In drawing. and wo question the
appropriateness OF the carved pedestal OF stone ON
which the figure leans. and which has evidently
Just been shot up from trap through the carpet
Occupying similar position, but to the right OF
the central picture on this wall is q striking life
size, ful length portrait OF lady C}4G). by j. @.
Beckwth. which is good in color, we'll drawn
noticeably so in tho hands. and rather
light In shades and shadows. She seems
TO stand on q platform. over which
skin is thrown, instead of the foor the artist
evidently intended. As pendants hang a mastery
view OF Mount Mansfield, from New York state look
ing over Lake ChampInin Ctyu). by A. H. wyant, and
superb evening effect called "Sundown" (3ifl, by
9. Minor. with nncly decorative, luminous sky.
Above the McEntee Is Breton fisher girl (J37), BY