New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-11-22

Mr. James Archer. n member Of tho Royal
Scottish Academy tho latest Of the half dozen artists
from tho United Kingdom who have visited this country
in order to Try their fortune in painting portraits Two
Of his plcurca nj tho gallery Of knocdlcr Co one
Ia full longth portrait Of alloy clad In s NJ erayiah
color cutlcd NJ dark rod chair hs head Allsy
supported b., hia hand aud his widely opened Dyes sod
Oh vacancy Tho ohnacoua posing of this plo nludon'
ltto fellow hardly noticed ~ nfst from wonder ~ tho
high light the face, Tho artists obviously proper Ain
has boon draw the To tho face ut once, all ofe
bong thoroughly suhofdnacd ut h, zeal Tor emphasis
and acccutuaon has carried HIN far that tho face Il
almos spectral certainly not truo portrayal Of flesh
and blood The priya. dark rod aud dark green back
ground blend sympatheony but II cannot be- seriously
thought that this portrait, rs picture, viii afford gem
enjoyment 10 lover OF art Ia the next generation
such points lack relief naness instead Of the round
which should from freer modelling, and the
of defines IN rendering textures shown by the
heavy metallic character OF the boys garments
consequence. sure. they have their
influence. Mr.. Archers portrait OF Herr Joachim more
ambitious effort presents the subject. as In Mr. Watts
picture drawing the bow the violin strings There
is not the absorption which Mr. Watts has pictured,
the contrary Joachim is by means unaware that
the artist is at work upon his likeness The head Is well
brought and hands modelled with greater pre-
cison than characterized the modelling OF Mr. Her
komcr's portrait OF the vioinist. This picture was
painted AT different date. 1873. from the others Low
tones predominant indeed the coorng Is almost muddy
in places but the drawing is that OF careful workman.
There is a feeling OF labor in the artists touch,
even when he would have us think his
brush-work light nervous ana spirited.
full length portrait of his daughter exhibited by Mr
Archer shows before alluded to- Joined to
curious want Of atmosphere This picture regards the
costume OF the subject and accessories verges more upon
the decorative than the Others but the artist per
hans through long devotion to historical subjects has
ouired a sober sometimes even stted manner which
lends itself with poor grace TO flights Of fancy. IT would
be trying test place this picture beside one OF Mr.
Chases symphonies The very red checked and very
black eyed little girl painted from photograph
is OF pTettincss conspicuous as soon 10
prove coylng. The subtle quality OF suggest
exhibition this would be popular picture while us com
panion u portrait OF woman with taNny golden halr
and long rounded thrOatthc face seen In prohes PANT
ing which would appeal especially TO artists. For artists
would find greater freedom OF the brushw work and
in the InelOwness OF the cplOrlng a suggestion or
the charm which makes Velasquezs portraits 1--we as
pcturesa very different thing from the attraction which
likeness presents TO acquaintance or the SUD
iect And yet the observer could wish himself less
conscious that these portraits but painted present
ments. To compare them with the work OF the Engllsl
artists who have introduced themselves 10 this pubic II
NAV be said that they show a delicate touch but
less rude vgor than Mr HerkOmers portraits and far
better cOlOrng aud more discriminating taste than MT
Moscheless pictures, while to further than TIM.
one point they lacking In the subtle revelations OF
character which distinguish Mr.. Watts's best
portrait work Some Of THE TRIBUSEs readers
may remember Mr. Archers paintings. since he was rep
resented at the Centennial Exhibition In 1876. whc
those who keep the Of English exhibitions need hard
Is told that he has contributed 10 the Royal Academy
in London since 1854 His first exhibition In ls40
with the Royal Scottish Academy, OF which he was
elected fun member In 1893.