New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-28
Mr.. 7. B. CLARKE'S COLLECTION OF AMER
ICAN PICTURES.

Such q collection of American pictures as that
shown BY Mr.. Thomas b. Clarke in the American Art
Gallery at yesterdays private view may be safely termed
unique. The exhibition Of private loan collection com
posed exclusively OF American works is, believe some
thing new In this city, or at least unknown for many
years Moreover this collection deserves to be called
representative OF the American art Of the last ten years
quality which did not distinguish the pictures sent to
Munich in the spring In this collection Messrs Twacht
man and Bristol A p Ryder and j. G. Brown, George Full
Ter and S. Guy Ulrch and L. Henry should satisfy the
most catholic tastes that the methods and schools
most widely at variance find characteristic repre-
sentatOn. Aud It may DO added that these
pictures In the great majority OF instances are character
isc OF the best OF the artists Mr. Clarke
pes us TO feel that he has chosen nearly every picture
for some good reason. His selections show artistic
sensiblity, and sound Judgment, well a broad
and liberal spirit. He has not con-
fined himself within the narrow range OF any
school, but has recognized tho good in all That Mr..
Clarke's judlcous patronage has proved valuable
stimulus TO American art and induced others to begin
American collections, readily believe. Hismotiye
In placing his collection upon public exhibition is IN the
line OF his disnteresed efforts in the past We have at
other times alluded the Clarke prize Of $500 for the
best figure composition at the annual Academy exhibl-
ton. Tho payment OF this Mr. Clarke has
guaranteed during his lifetime. In order to aid
In establishing fund, the interest Of
which shall make this prize a perpetual award
Mr. Clarke has opened this exhibition OF his pictures
The remainder Of the fund viii be made up by popular
subscription.
There 40 pictures In the collection representing 16
artists. OF the latter number, 1O4 born in this
country and the remaining twelve claim America their
home. Out OF these 40 pictures, 116 depict
American subjects. 1t Is not too much to
claim for this exhibition national import
apee. Ten Of the artists from Boston, perhaps
many more from Philadelphia and nearly all the
mander have their homes among us in New-York. 1t
would seem simple thing, after all, to good
American pictures, but prophet ia not without honor
save In his country and the eyes OF collect
ors remained hIcd upon the Salon and the Hotel Drouo
IL has required ten years for Mr.. Clarke to get
this collection together but the lesson which teaches
ia none the cs worth needing. Nearly sixty years ago
Mr.. Human Reed by his gene aid sustained many
OF the predecessors OF tho generation Of artists
and the Collection which he formed nowln the OF the
Historical Society, possosses a marked historical value.
II Is not crcdltabc to the lovers ~ art I'm this city that
foreigners who here when OF our exhibitions
an open, should be compelled TO ask in vain for
an opportunity to gain an adequate idea Of
the American art OF the day Wchaye had abundance Of
loan exhibitions, composed OF carefully selected foreign
pictures Let of collectors take like pains IN
choosing American works. We have not produced the !
equals of the great French masters II Is true hut surely
good landscape by Mr. George Inncss IS !
worth moro than pOtbuling Forest OF |
Fuualncblclu" knocked OF 10 pay one OF /
names alone 10 n0at prcentlous rubbish In this city. |
Some Of onr conn0-seur, inclined 10 sweep American
art aside, because lind inferior than striking
pictures In the exhibitions of societies To them Mr..
Carke collection viii prove revelation. lie has Illus
trated the Of natural selection and the survival Of
the nttcst
Among the landscapes Of this collection the five by Mr.
George Innc,s form a strong and admirable Toupi His
Winter Morning at Montc!nr." exhibited at the |
Academy two years ago. reaches height which few Of
artists have attained Tho subtle rendering Of ats
mo.pherc and play OF coors In the painting will be
membcrcd by all tho picture two years since. |
In quite a different key Is bis Gray Lowering Day"
NO 90, which VIC believe IS new work The |
foliage Of the trees Is heavy ana |
bowed with rain. Tho Hight breaking through the |
clouds gsens the wet domes of the tops This
picture painted out OF doors and the artist has seized
upon his landscape drcnchcd with showers caught the
effects OF light and the ubdud cUlorng, and woven the
whole into the utterancc Of a poet Twilight q" A |
sunburs with full svery radiance streaming through
the clouds and hcradng the appearance OF the and
sunset dash OF color which recalls some OF
Daubimys effects; these are the other examples Mr..
Iunc-,'s work. Then Mr wants Morning In the |
Adwoudacks." aud his "Od Stubbleheld," the former |
showing the light breaking through the clouds above a
dark pool and lonely wilds; the latter tender sym
phouy IN color warm, rich anddrcamy an Indian Sum
mcr day Like this in kind not In degree Of feeling
Mr. J. +. Murphy's upland Cornhed," 10 which his |
"Octcbcr" aud " Late Afternoon" companion pieces
We must acknowledge that have never Mr. Muir
ply appear good advantage. Mr. j. J. Ennckng,
whom learned 10 appreciate at the Boston exhibition
held last spring. here represented By "A Cloudy Day"
work characterized by much dclicacy, but suggesting |
Daubigny ia quite different fashion from Mr. Inncss'
sunset" Mr. Thomas Aliens Map.churst at Noon,'
honestly effective rendering Of light and shade and
Jcrscy cattle Mr.. Dcnnys Along the shore" Mr. Bolton
Joness October" and Mr. Carleton Wissinss unusually
thoughtful Edge Of the Woods these must dismiss
.
Of the early pfng the clcincs OF thcaIr aud the dainty
freshness Of the first green grass without marrng his
landscape by the harsh lights which he has affected Of
late IL is pleasure again upon Mr. H. r. POOrcs
out OF door work in his bright and breezy March Hill
side" And equally interesting is the example OF tone
studio work to be sure but eyiucng subtle color SENSE
In which we find Mr.. A. p Ryder's mystic horsemen rid
ing through forest Simple, quiet and effective is Mr.
IL. W. RObbihss study Of purple mountains upon sum
afternoon OF late years we have seen nothing better
from his hand Mr.. Swain GIors study and Mr. {. H. Ea
tons Indian Summer complete the landscapes OF which
we have time 10 speak.
II with something Of lvcer interest that we turn
TO the figure pieces AMI the gnres They form feature
prominent than the landscapes or marines. and pos
sby more attractive from their presentation OF now work
Mr. Clark hna certainly done his share Of discovering and
bringing out young artists and hero are three who are
proving MN more than Justified IN hls c1peelaonS; NJ
Louis MOcler was, we believe HghiY represented we
Academy last SPRING but this exhibition IL practically his
debut Mr. MOclcr has chosen the line OF line finish ANA
exact detail In which Mcissoner and argno have worked
He has therefore entered path always @ded ana
anyways peilous. but LhcLo ao l"o t.lh7, MlIOH ~
Moecr does not do He does not sacrifice all expression
all human interest 10 barren technique, ana he does not
find necessary toresOrt To seventeenth century costumes
ia order to catch the and rvct the attention OF the
spectator Mr. MOoor has painted what he sees about
him TN every day life The Morning News IA study
OF an elderly gentleman seated IN the room OF
OF cur luxurious homes, engaged In his morning
There Is consciousness on his part you feel
that you might him sitting thus any morning
that CHANGED to call Nor does the art Of the painter
Cypress you by and by you begin 10 notice the firm
modelling of the head note the cOlOrng ana the cum
ming In which the details worked out. yOu sec
that hcsmpc naturasm OF the reflections In the mirror
Of the breakfast service and the YiruO" objects on
the mantc. mean small amount OF SKILL and you real
that OF III kind this may be called wonderful painting
We do not regard IL the best KIND, but !
its remarkable merit Is unlueslonable. !