New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-27
HUBERT HERKOMERS WORKS.

EXHIBITION OF PORTRAITS, ETCHlNGS AND In
CRAVINGS AT MR. KNoEDLERs GALLERY.
On Saturday last Mr.. Knoeder sent out cards
Of invitation exhibition of portraits etchinss and
engravings, the work OF Mr.. ubert Herkomer, A K A
The portraits striking and the most Of them OF
men 90 distinguished that Of necessity they were more
looked at than the etchings and engavngs which Gov
cred nearly all the hanging room on
one OF the walls OF the gallery Besides
ell the more Important OF the echings are familiar 10
the public that takes any interest in art; they have
been widely admired and discussed Whereas go far as
we know, no painting by Mr.. Herkomer had been e1-
hbied In THIS country before the present examples OF
his power with the brush arrived There are seven
portraits. AL but in OIL and all OF life size The SUD
lects arc " John RuskIn, Author and Phlanthroplst
Archibald Forbes War Correspondent; " Lorenz
Herkomer," Joseph Joachim, Musician ,"
ms Richter Musical Conductor :" ; " James Russell
Lowell, American Minister in England and
Herman Herkomer" The portrait Of Mr. Ruskin Is In
watercoor' and only OF the head and bust 1t Is the
Original OF the Published engraving by Mr. Herkomer
which hangs on tho same wall and which s described in
the catalogue as free rendering OF tne WaercoOr
drawing. In pure mezzont without line" or all the
portraits here, tns drawsg Of Mr. Ruska TO our think
ing shows Mr.. Herkomcr at his best. The others are
monumental, are fixed to expression In
tni. Of Mr. Ruskn have more play
more variety; more than one side OF his CHAR
acer. Here arc an almost feminine sweetness and
rresOutiOn, very little force, and no touch OF that
yivscy which often expresses itself in pctulant cry
But any here. have said, Is face that can
be something else tnan the artist shows US for the
nonce; It is mobile and can TO every
mood OF its owners mind. No doubt 1t is cslored
by the prevailing tint OF Mr. Ruskns nature
Mr. Herkomer writes in the Catalogues: His friendship
IA 10 very precious, aud those sttngS that lad IN
his little working aud sleeping rOOn at the top OF tDe
house, Herue iii, VIII always be memorable 10 Inc.
In ulv
all the more remarkable 1t his nursery In
childhood This mans life has been continual
struggle, and the sadness so marked in his race
Indicates his disappOintments III the struggle.
Beaten and thwarted, he still has given US
words that will Remain gospel" Feeling In
this way, and looking at NJ. Ruskn in this light, OF
course Mr.. Herkomer paint him as we see MIN
here Others would have seen him differently, and
would have shown the stronger and more virie side
Of his cnarsc But there can De no douD. OF tue
value OF the p rtrat
The striking Of the remaining pictures is that OF
Mr. Are ibad Forbes. the famous war correspondent
Mr. Herkomer says OF him: HIS face when in repose
becomes sometimes perfectly ferocous, aud as knew
this did express the best 81 the man. endeavored to
represent hun wIlle in the act OF talking We must
take the liberty Of saying Mr. Forbes looked
much more ferocious than ne does in
this picture we should prefer not to face
him. Chaucers lines into cne's head ;
" lie lOOketh, as IL were, "A grim IeOuA' anu VA
expression vivid intense. searching, that one
is uucomortably impressed with sense Of being gone
for by mercy it would be reasonable
10 appeal as to cry for pity to the stones There
Il something Of the intensity IN all these
oil portraits, though 1t may well be they would
! gain By being az a greater distance There
IS but lltle art paintings, still less OF con
venon these all, what are accustomed to hear
| called speaking hkenesses." But all this is not TO
deny Dir. Herkomer's claims upon pubic attention.
Their ygor and the force Of their assertion cannot but
impress the spectator wlch the fact that here genuine
and powerful work, done by a man who thoroughly
knows bis subjects his art and his limitations
| There - vulgar cant Of hvpercriticism
wien affects To depIceate portrait because II Is
striking likeness. The artist, we are tod, should see ai
DelJW the that Is suppose, no saeuid paul
the man he g. but H. IN gut, cOuIa would OF
should IN the opinion OF somebody else. II Is great
merit oI r HcrkOmers work tIat he gives US In por
traf wua people want portrait fora strong likeness
and IN dong this gives powerful picture "a well
While gladly admitting all TINS, We are tOrcel 10 con
may fee in or two Or these p0rtIaltf
little IpJn quiet elements OF cnArIe or and
100 .ct desire stare. But this Is not SAID as OuI
own Judgment or ~ deract the least from Mr. Her
| kOmrr's grca, claims upon public attention. lie IS a
or work; he enjoys and deserves . distinguished
reputation IN face of all manner of difficulties
by tue sheer power " his PERFORMANCES, anu We Ii
ourselves fortunate that Two such men us himself ana
Mr. Seymour Haden cuOscn 10 vls Us anu give Us
benefit oil Their teachings IN tue Held VI those @Flf
| they have 50 successfully cultivated