Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-06-25

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candle near him the effect of the candle
light IS very fine, and the figure of the
man, which Is large ia size, is very good,
but the dark background, which is in
tended to represent night, gloomy Oh
security wIsh soldiers in the distance, does
not appear t. have been as successfully
treated. His other picture, titled Re-
tour de la Peche, representing woman
and man returning with the spoils of their
fishing, 10 well drawn and full of move
Tnent, out the color is SO gray, so te1ne,
that it is difficult to realize that the same
artist painted it who gave to the public a
combination Of such brilliant rich colors
last year.
W. L. PICHNELL
OF Boston, who received an honorable
mention last year for his landscape repre-
senting straight road with trees and
fields on either side, exposes this year a
similar picture with another road so much
resembling the first that it might be taken
for It, only instead OF being lost in the
distance straight on among the trees, this
one turns to the left before terminating
It is ceriainly one of the finest landscapes
st the salon, and is so rich and bright Il
color that 1t coptradicts the assertion that
the pictures OF American artists are devoid
of color; besides, it seems pervaded with
q clear, inyigorating atmosphere which
carries you to the fresh, green fields.
DANIEL RIDGwAY KNIGHT
has faithfully exposed at the salon every
year, for at least ten years past, that his
name has become as familiar to the public
as those Of the well-known masters, for 10
one passes his pictures by without giving
them more than a passing look. His pict-
ures are invariably figures placed in a
landscape which permit Of most charming
eff cts. This year his subject IS a pres
IN DejeuneT." A number of women who
have been washing clothes along the border
OF the Seine have just finished their frugal
meal, which is perceived not only by
the empty utensils before them, but
also by the satisfied, good-natured express
sion on their faces. The figures are beauti-
July drawn and finely colored standing
out like creatures of life, besides all the
"details are carefully painted, which Of
suggest a careful artist of great
powers OF observation. Mr. Knight Is al
ways true in inhis terpretations, that is, he
does no idealize his models, but then he
always chooses agreeable ones, and al
though something OF naturalist he Is never
coarse. These women In their abandon
are thoroughly natural, and their familiar
costumes, to the torn shoes and patched
dresses, prove how conscientiousiy the
artist has studied his subject The land
scape Is lar from being as good, and al
Enough 1t represents the banks of the
Seine, whose verdure is not the brightest,
vet the tone is too feeble, and both earth
and aky aie colorless.
WILLIAM WORCESTER CHURCHILL
Of Boston is young artist, the pupil Of
AIR. Bonuat, and one who promises to con-
fer honor on him in the future. His pic
ture is entitled "Chez lie Peintre," and
represents young girl model seated on a
bench before the artists picture she sits
with her back to the audience, but with
her head turned sufficient TO show very
pretty profile, and around her lower limbs
only is thrown a loose wrap, that the color
of the flesh and the moldine OF the form
are there presented as proof Of excellent
work. The details are painted with care,
even 20 the old books on which rest the
feet of the model, old armor and musical
instruments en- the wall. There Is a senti-
nen5 also about the picture, for toe artists
work represents a garden of stately trees,
5hrougn which can be discerned a young
girl seated on rustic bench, and at her
feet a young lover kneeling in very sup
plicatin. attitude. The model gazes att
with @istful expression in her eyes, and
the reflections which the picture before her
excites arc differently interpreted by the
public.
ELIZABETH JANE GARDNER,
Who is even better known to the public
than Mr. knight, for the reason that she
has exposed longer time, gives to the
publis ibis year but one picture, whereas
FOR some years past she has always exposed
Two. I mist add, however, in justice to
Mr. knight, that although her name has
for so long figured on the catalogue, the
public never remain before her pictures the
length of time they do before his, nor do
they give expression 70 so agreeable com
ments. mast say the same thing this
year Of Miss Gardner that | did last-she
always seems to have grasped her teachers
brush for . crutch, and is incapable of
walking alone. There is no individ.
1siity in her style of painting, and
no originality in her choice of SUBJ
jecta; her pictures seem always a
clase CODY Of her professor work, and as
though be himself had given the finishing
touches atreat being able to lend 30 the
whole che little vigor he may himself pos
aess. The subiecE OF her picture this year
IS LON du Pays" and represents a
young giTl seated on a rock with sad ex-
pressl9n on her face and her listiess hand
holding By her SIDE . mandoline behind
her is IA injistinct landscape in which the
sea seems 20 take part, and far distance is
felt The title might be almost anything
else, aud both subject and effort are of
5aaoite unworthy Of an artist Of as muen
experience as Miss Gardner. She is
known as an American artist, and it would
he desirable II she could represent some
thing peculiar to her own country surely
1t could not be that she could be lost for
subject, fer there is enough in our history
and customs to prove contrast TO Euro
pean, and especially French customs.
There IS a most excellent American artist,
MIR BARON, OF BOSTON,
Who, however, does not expose this year,
but who has always treated American SUBJ
jects and attracted attention long before
he had arrived at degree OF sufficient
good week to De praised. The French,
particularly, were charmed with bis sub.
Iects, to whom such bits of history were
revelation, and it is safe to wager that
they have been his more constant pur-
ehasers.
The French papers the other day men
lioned very
SAD AFFAIR
With regard to one of our A7.e-iean
artists, 1t seems George Byal-nJ. Of