The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-11-27

ARTICLE ~.
Editors Herald:

Editors Herald:
FollowingEthe plan laid out at the
beginningIof these articles, I find
next in order on the list of pictures
exhibited at the Territorial Fair, q
collection of landscape paintings
by Reuben Kirkham, of Logan,
Utah. Among the collection were,
"Calder'sI Lake" "Haight's Grove y
three scenes in Logan Canyon, y
"Holbrook's Canyon" and a compo.
sition picture, sentitled, EMy
Sketch Book" The prevailing
feature of the works of this artist,
is the udmistakable carelessness of
handling. Many of the paintings
indicate good taste in the selection
OF the subject, and considerable
ability in. the sketch, but all lack
the evidences of study, patience and
artistic attention to detail. The
pictures impress one with the idea,
that they are mere sketches, made
for the purpose of future enlarge
ment and elaboration. rather than
finished paintings, in which light
the artist seems to hold them.
"Calder's Lake" has some very good
effects, but the lack of contrast in
the harmony Of color, gives the
work an air of crudeness, which is
not admissible in a subject of this
character. It is clear that the
artist could have made very nice
picture of this sketch, if he had
given it more careful treatment.
"Haight's Grove" showed the same
feeling Of Indifference, which, when
so plainly manifest, prejudices the
spectator against whatever of merit
the work otherwise possesses. A
winter scene in Logan canyon
showed a better feeling than the
other works in many respects.
While the same general lack of care
was manifest, the effect of the pic
ture was such as to render it's good
qualities more noticeable. Another
scene in Logan canyon, in which an
idea of sunlight under q peculiar,
cloudy mist was attempted,was very
unfortunate in its effect. If the ar
fist saw a scene such as one can i'm
agine he must have done to have
caused this attempted portrayal, he
should have been at once convinced
that it was entirely beyond his pow
erS. Such works are the cause of
lack of appreciation for the general
of his easel, and will eX-
plain to some extent the indiffer-
ence manifested in his other works
Of more merit. In marine picture
On exhibition, this gentleman was
rather happy in a certain effect of
light introduced, but he again al
owed his lack of care to mar its OBJ
ect. His last and smallest work, |
My Sketch Book" is a monument
If his ability to produce good |
Kings, and is an incOntestable evil
ience of the truth of these criti-
,iSms on his Indifferent treatment |
If other works.
This little picture is very merito- |
iouS. and is the one redeeming fea-
ure in the collection. Smaller and |
osS pretentiOuS than any other one
If the pictures, it has an intrinsic
-alue exceeding in a great degree
hat Of any other one of his works.
t was Immediately purchased by
Ir. D. F, Walker, who became its
Wner just in time to deprive the
writer of its possession. If the ar
iSt will learn the lesson SO plainly
by the production and APP
of this little picture, it
will add a charm and a SGLeGbiLitg
0 his works which they have not
0 far been blessed with. Mr.. Kirk
am has many friends who anx-
0usly hope that he will give his
est attention to future works, pro-
ucing only such as he can afford to
o well and forever abandoning the {
arelesS Scene-painting effect shown
4 so many of his pictures. A
hange in this direction with q lit
-e more care in the selection of his
ainJs, will bring the gentleman to ,
standard far above his present l.
lane.
Now comes the work of Mr.. Carl
)ahlgren, a scene at "Lake Side"
Utah. This gentleman has left
Utah temporarily, but this picture
yas admitted in competition be-
ause he was a Utah artist. II is
lot unlikely that he will i
eturn to us, and should
!e do sc, Will find more appreciation,
han his talents met with while l.
previously among us. This picture
howed a charming idea of color, L
Which. while very. modest and en- i
rely free from the striking results
attendant upon vigorous contrasts, +,
vas very effective. IL IS a question
f Mr.. Dahlgren had an equal here,
L landscape painting. In the work S
eferred to, all who know the To- |;
atitY, are aware Of the realistic ac-
aIacy 0f the picture, and while all
he effects OF detail are introduced s
WIN mathematical truthfuluess, the |;
loetlc feeling and delicate touch OF
he artist are everywhere apparent.
Without the distortion of single
eature. 1t was not stated vino owned
10 picture, but its possesSor is to
'e congratulated. Mr.. Dahlgren
viii not be forgotten in Utah while
his charming memento remains
With US.
FIttlngly introduced by Mr.. Dahl L
'ren. next in order comes the ex-
llblt OF Mr.. Daniel Weggeland,