The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1885-02-01
TEE Waffle CoLoR xxazs1rYox.

ot0ty Will DO ACCESSIBLE 10 tho puOic tO-morrOW
In the galleries Of the National Academy. and
an uncommonly bright cheerful. and interest
ing exhibition It will DO found to be.
Tho Society held Its usual preliminary gath
erlng last Friday evening. and It was most
successful affair The rooms were crowded with
artists. writer's. and sympathetic persons who
buy pictures. and in the delightful atmosphere
OF the galleries there hung dense vapor OF to-
bacco and good will through which no artist
could fail to look upon the work Of another artist
without at least liberation. or upon his own
without enthusiasm. 1t was most ekhilarat-
ing occasion the charming decorations tho
brlliancy OF the pictures. the odors OF choice
flowers minGline with tho subtle fragrance OF
combusted nicotine. tho intermittent but gem
erous flood OF amber. meaning beor: the rubbed
and aromatic perils OF the bowl. meaning punch;
much choice and varied nutrimont. to wit.
sandwiches galore. and. indeed. salads-all
these brought about condition OF things most
grateful to the senses luring. elevating. In
spring. and conducive to indigestion.
The occurrence Is annual only. and It Is the
pleasantest and most purely artistic gathering
OF the year and tho most thoroughly enjoyed.
Agreeable as its relaxations arc. 1t Is conducted
with Spartan severity OF principle and de-
gree OF self abnegation at once exceptional and
surprising. Ladies' are not admitted. AL
though there ARE nearly fifty gentle contribu-
tors this year. many OF whom are gifted and
beautiful In IN inverse ratio to the mort Of
their contributions. tho Society adheres he
roically 10 the unwritten but mysterious law
which 1t has laid down. and denies itself the
qualification which should naturally accrue
from their participation in its festivities. 1t is
to DO hoped ,that the motive which prohibits
thoir presence Is as unsel1lsh as 1t IL obviously
inscrutable.
There arc hung this year between sevon and
eight hundred pictures. and the general effect
OF tho collection Is most agreeable. The
standard OF merit is higher than in any preced-
Ing exhibition. although there are few pictures
that can be called striking or OF very excep-
tlonal interest in frespoct to subject or troat-
mont. In landscape IL is particularly strong.
and In figure there are number OF excellent
examples. and very encouraging feature is
the number OF promising and interesting pic
lures that are exhibited by artists who are for
the first time revealed. Tho general tendency
Of the Society and its followers appears to be
good. There are abundant evidences Of out
of-door study. numbers OF pictures that have
evidently been begun and finished In tho open
air. and they are characterized by great sim
cerity and conscientiousness OF effort and
botray no Difference or servility to any foreign
school.
The strongest direct or personal influence
that can DO seen in the collection Is that Of an
American artist who affects number Of paint
ers OF figure subjects so powerfully that they
each yoar exhibit pictures which grow more
and more like his. and have to bear on the part
OF persons who arc not thoughtful. the imputa-
ton OF being actual limitations. Mr.. L. A. Alb
boy does not exhibit this year. unfortunately.
so that his latest picture will have to last
his admirers over another yoar. unless
they prefer to face the difficult alternative
OF doing something original. Mr.. Abboy's girls.
his draperies, his methods Of composition. his
arrangements OF light and tho very material
OF his pictures are to be seen upon tho Acade-
my walls with varying fidelity Of reflection.
They are also to be seen. but less obviously to
eyes that are not technically trained. In every
illustrated magazine and periodical In the
country.
This Ia all very we'll In It's way. and 1t I'M
plies degree OF appreciation which an artist
like Mr.. Abbey. the first real genius that has
appeared In American art. may we'll inspire;
but there are some artists who might not I'M
probably consider with themselves II It would
not DO more seemly and profitable to admire
without appropriating and learn without loot
ing. MIR. Abbey. who Is a generous and OK
pansive SOUL can afford to be amused at the
dexterity and brilliancy with which his win
dows are entered. because no does not miss
the goods that are removed. fact which
in no wise affects tho degree of artistic
morality that is involved. Tho latter re-
mains tho same as 1t would BIO In the
hypothetical case OF a gentleman who had
genius for doing sad autumnal scenes. or a
genius for vernal COWS. or a genius for par
ticular sort OF snow. or dog. or ofIlce-cat pic
ture. and who should find the domain Of his
heavcn-given talent invaded by some deft imi-
tator BY such nm Intruder he would DO damaged
In his personal property and In his reputa-
ton. and he might and he would complain.
But the supposition is inadmissible because to
beRet imitators ono must have genius, and no
genius ever repeats itself or contrives the mind
1t informs into stencil plato for the intermin-
able iteration Of cleverness. Long may Mr.,
Abbey wavel
Ono OF the most interesting. impressive. and
successful pictures In tho present exhibition.
and indeed In some degree tho successful pic
ture OF the whole exhibit Is Miss Kate H.
dreatorex's portrait mo. 4O2,. 1t is large In
treatment and design unaffected and direct In
execution, and In every way strong. thought
full. and original achievement. Miss Greatorex
can DO unreservedly congratulated upon hav-
ing painted a picture OF such striking i'm.
portance and agreeable quality.
new exhibitor this year Is Dutch artist
named Kever. who has been tempted to send
over five genre studies. which. however signiA-
cant Of tho influence OF Milet and another
water-color drawings. One. Cutting Feed"
NO. 374). recalls Millet In an uncomfortable
way. but is q strong picture pervad-
cd by an agreeable sentiment. Tho
Sick Child" mo. 327). is a very serious
and well-considered work. sober in color and
admirably arranged and drawn. Tho others.
" A Girl Spinning" mo. 33N. AT the Cradle"
mo. $500. and Domestic Business" no 714),
are full Of interesting qualities. MIR. Kever is q
Dutchman. and not IN American, but he is a
very welcome visitor. and he will be pleased to
learn that his pictures wore sold in five min
utes after the visitors assembled on Friday
evening.
The wild orratic and harmonious Mr. Cur
rlcr Is missing this year. and Mr.. Cleveland
Coxo rsfrains and exhibits no convulsion to be
inteiligently interpreted by tho thoughtful
critic. In respect to such pictures the oxhibj.