The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-11
Art NOTES.

ART NOTES
Mr.. J. Q. A. Wards equestrian statue of
Cen George II. Thomas WIS on exhibition re-
Gently In the artists studio in this city. in its
plaster form. preparatory to being consigned TO
the bronze founder. Il will DO set up in Wash
ington when II ID CON pleted. aud not for some
years TO come will it look as well again in the
now metal as it did in the quietcr tone in which
the sculptor presented II in his workshop.
Mr.. Wards treatment OF his subject is simple
aud unconventional, and in the general concep-
ton and the scheme and method Of its prcsen-
tatlon there Is disclosed n more distinct. clear,
and well-understood artistic purpose than has
been found In any other work he has produced.
He seems TO have had thoroughly well defined
idea Of what he was about 10 do. and to have
felt so certain Of II that he could evade all man
nerlsm and all recourse TO accepted and conven-
tional styles and treat the subject Just as 1t most
naturally and easily presented itself to him.
II Is TO DO regarded us a whole, and ii pos
sesses an actual unity OF meaning and express
sion. Ones usual considerations ms to the re-
lation between tho man and his horse. the
grace and fitness OF his equestrian habit. his
poise. and the correctpass Of the indicated
action Of both. are in this subordinated to the
general strength and completeness Of tho whole
design. and the sense that one has Of its origin
ality. virility of execution and independence Of
conception. An equestrian subject that Is not
FILTERED away in details. in elaborate refinement
of accoutrements. or OF the various textures "
may present. but which is treated with force
aud simplicity. Ia an unfrequent occurrence. II
is easy to recito faults that this statue has. to
complain OF matters Of anatomy and Of even
palpablo defects in the general modelling but II
10 a far more grateful thing to be able to speak
OF it in its complete aspect as thoughtful. Wig
orous. and successful achievement Tho doing
80 is mono tho less pleasant because ono may
recollect that it has not always been possible to
feel similarly about Mr.. Wards work.
The general composition Of il Ia suggestive
of Volasqucz's equestrian portrait OF Gen.
Prim-tho four hoois firmly planted on the
ridge OF a hill the reposoful calm. and fearless
attitude Of the rider. and tho implied strength.
vitality. and courage Of the animal itself. The
resemblance is a mere passing one. but IL is in
a measure agreeable. Mr.. Wards statue con-
veys the idoa not merely OF II commander en-
gagged in n reconnaissance. but OF Il leader in
spircd by a deeper and more thoughtful solicit
tude. concerned with matters OF gravity aud
seriousness. That is perhaps what 1t would ex-
press TO one who should feel it necessary to ar
rive ut some formal explanation Of its purpose
uul ~ ~ All uHpTOHltulo anu UNNECESSARY way
Of looking at II. 1t is far more significant IN its
breadth and dignity OF expression. and in that
II has the spirit Of thing to move and to in
spire-not merely to interest one. The horse is
well modelled. with little Inconsistent loaning
to the Crock or Roman in tho treatment OF tho
head and neck: and the figure is seated upon
IL naturally and easily. and strongly and effect
lively felt through tho easily arranged and
simply treated garments.
An exhibition was had last Wednesday even
ing at the rooms of the Art Students League OF
the work OF the members 1t WAS the most en-
oouraGing exhibit Of work OF the kind that W.
have had. and 1t Afforded assurance that the
method Of instruction. tho ideas inculcated. and
the general spirit excited among the studeuts
were alike conducive to their attaining some
thing moro than mere technical knowledge and
skill. Looking over IL carefully. and compnr-
ing tho work OF ono student with that of an
other. and noting tho droctncss. sin
certify. and Intelligence OF their efforts. II
was impossible not to be convinced that On III
was being given the opportunity not only to
learn how to do certain things. but to know in
how far no was naturally qualified to pursue
such direction OF study In such art teaching
as American schools have moro commonly NJ.
fordod prettiness OF execution and simple olab-
Grafton OF method have been tho most cOnspicu-
ous IN ings that were attained. Al the Art Stu
dents League there Is n different order OF teach
ing The students are taught to look more deeply
inUo their work they aro made to acquire IA
more serious apprehension OF their own pur-
poses, and they learn to distinguish between
tho merely imitntye and mechanical and that
which Implies full and complete artistic cN-
pression OF the idea sought aftor. The Art Stu
dents League has only taken its first steps, but
It's work is full Of promise. and il It keep on in
the Same direction. II cnn achieve nothing but
inc most gratifying results.
On Thursday evening the gallery at the Union
League Club contained large number OF pic
lures contributed by the Water Color Society.
the occasion being tho annual special exhi-
biton of such works by the club. 1t was Il
most interesting and instructive collection.
among tho more striking and important pir-
lures being an exquisite Woodland study" by
a. II, Nylut, aud some charming landscapps
BY II. Swain Clifford. Samuel Colman Thonne
Moran, James ID Smile, II. NJ, ShurteN. Horny
Farror, aud H. $. Church.