Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1885-02-28
"Torer,.ier'x Great P,ct.re. +"

TaYernicr's "kilauea" exercises the iascina-
ton of danger 1t is a most rcastic Iepresen.
tation of an awe-nspiring phenomenon. 1t is
marvellous that a few crumbs Of dry pigments
can produce such powerful impression.
Standing before that picture one fairly realizes
the commotion of the melting mass, the hot
kissing columns Of hIe arakthc grand extent Of
that awful crater. The genuine inspiration
which seems to pervade it throughout effects
the beholder as il he were an eyewitness to
the scene itself and yet it possesses certain
palpable poetic temper which lends dreamy,
fairy Like tone to the composition and makes
it as much the work Of imagination as it is the
realization of an actual impression.
This being the first startling event after the
Rosenthal exhibition one almost nsensibly
out spontaneity, tediously labored, cloggng by
sluggish imagination and overloaded by
pedantry: Rosenthal shows great amount OF
talented industry and an honest desire to give
his patrons their moneys worth, so far as he is
able to give it but not a single one Of the
specimens Of his handiwork has the imprint oil
true greatness or shows that he scars above the
commonplace. True genius may be cratic
to degree of contempt for vulgar, yet whole
some, social restrictions. But when the labor
of talented thrift stands beside the product OF
inspired genius one is very apt to forgive any
amount of transgressions which genius may
have committed and to forget like quantity
of honest intentions on the part OF the thrifty
one, and hold fast to the true standard of ART
tina, none but the best is good enough to sur
vive.
! Mr. Tavemier's "Kilauea" needs neither an
apology nor the commentator Of forty.sec'
ond prize to he appreciated.
Here, when generally the most miserable
mediocrity is praised in the identical terms
which are elsewhere cautiously reserved fol
works of the highest excellence only, ii be
comes rather difficult task to obtain the
general attention which a truly meritcrious
work deserves. Studio-work compares to di
rect impressions very like book wisdom com
pares to actual experience. But ii depend,
altogether upon the receptive quality OF th'
intellect, upon the artistic skill and apt
ness, TO correctly feel what one secs and t'
reproduce such feeling alterward. MI Taver-
nier proves himself an adept both in concep'
ton and in execution. lie launches his i'm
preston boldly he uses coors with free
dom and dash which is a perfect challenge
and yet there is enough OF suggestive myster!
aud discreet vagueness to stimulate the interes
constantly. To suggest an idea, to provoke
sympathy, 10 stimulate a feeling, to touch th'
heart is not quite SO difficult as to keep the in
teresls alive and To endow ones work witt
sufficient suggestiveness not to permit III
newly awakened idea to relapse into apathy
OF to allow the recently reused feeling to pal
; upon the beholder ravernier not merel
sianles by showing Nature in one OF her mos
awful moods but understands the weaving .
; the spell OF his own Imagination around tina
page Of Natures open book until it impeEcep
,ibly changes into chapter Of romance. r
. Wa5p.