New-York tribune., 1886-01-18
THE SALMAG UNDI EXHIBITION.
lSecond Notice.l


II seemed, two years ago. that the Salma-
rrd, (lub had sufficient resources within itself for an
exhibition OF original work. but the present
xhhItion does justify this belief The freshness of
n black and white collection is lost when IL contains 80
,nuoh with which publishers have already made MS IA
mIliar The free sketch and the study which expresses
the artists first thought seldom to be met with. but
an their pace are plenty of formal attempts the max
,ns OF elaborate pictures, usually in the popular
illustrative mediums black and white oils In past
wears we pointed out the need OF more work OF
distinctly personal character and the necessity Tor
more udcious choice of mediums But the approach OF
a public exhibition seems to bring TO our artists an
oppressive of responsibility which results IN
formal and conventional work. The autumn Academy
exhibition, which was originally Intended 10 DC an eh-
hibitOn of fresh sketches and studies. has become
simply a repetition, smaller scale. OF the collection
shown the Academy in the sprin& 1t is natural to
suppose this due the belief of artists that elaborate
pictures alone viii be salable but adopting this
point OF view think that the artists make mistake.
There nothing particularly inviting about big care
fully worked up charcoal crayou drawing like Mr..
Chaupney's the large black and white oils, like
those by Messrs. Gregory, Minor and H. r. Smith. likely
to commend themselves especially to the popular taste
There ia always q certain demand for finish
and detail, to be sure, but we are conf
dent that the average visitor to these galleries
would have preferred color in the treatment of the sub
jecs chosen by the two artists last named. And there
working up 10 black and white subject which can bo
expressed agreeaby and truthfuly in water
colors oils Sketches and studies do meet with popu
lar appreciation and we sure that the black and
white studies exhibited by Mr. WinsOw Homer with the
Artists Fund Society year received degree of at
tent which not accorded to many OF the highly
finished" oils The value of salmagundi exhibition
from the chance which 1t offers for illustrating
proper scope pertinent applicability OF black and
white mediums. aud for bringing into closer under
standing OF the artists direct methods But the chance
is not improved this year.
Oflandscapes there is an abundance and one who is
not discouraged by their monoonous saneness may
choose between work by Messrs Gibson, Sche, RiI,
Bolmer, Eaton, HasbrOuck and dozen others Mr..
Minors efforts at least ambitious aud not Ineffective
but there is suggestveneSs in some OF the small
evening studies like Mr.. Van Gorder's Snudown" The
waterscapes include clever, appropriate sketches by
Messrs. Ress, Turner and Chapman. Venetian scene
by Mr. +. H. Smith, and Mr.. Ii. 2. Smiths large "Gale
whitby" in which certain aspects of storm at sea
forcbly depicted, although the picture as whole
leaves uufavorable impression. Among the studies
OF heads nd strong example OF direct literal treat
meut by Mr. Bier In the first gallery and elsewhere
there is a striking head by Mr.. Hammer. Mr. Charles
Brdg furnishes couple OF carefully wrought pict
ures. which well done in their way. although the
quality OF the artists Inventive powers well his
choice OF medium may vol lie called in question. Mr..
Marbles Down the Mountain" Mrs. NicnOls FAIRY
odmother aud Mr. saronys scharacterlsticaly pretti-
fed Night" are among the many ngure studies worth
but there is nothing which Will rouse h" visitor
Messrs Burns G,u aud De 1hulstrup tie OF Gal
lcry ID Mr. Burus has actual Knowledge of the varied
phases of le aud the story tod in the anxious faces
0fthe two fishermen drifting IN adOry lost IN the Oghas
touch Of suspense, aud possibly tragedy. win which
every one must sympsthZe. Mr.. Gaufs p8e-iac Il,
wideyed bearer II dispatches Is dramatic SKETCH aud
rider errand. The fofce Of TINS picture might have
been lost had II been treated in oils for Mr. GauPs ap
phcaton OF coloris not always to DC depended upon.
and color would have added nothing the idea which
the artist has expressed. Passing BY Mr. De Thusrups
esborste e"'i WorS in Mr. Birhe1!s "GraadIhamas
Books" With such face draughtsmen as Msssrs Bush.
Frost and Renhart among u.s. might expect a variety
of pen aud ink work, hut This method OF showing
cuacy linear drawing and expressvene,s OF line is
but poorly represented Mr. Wiirs sends a pen sketch
not wthOut cl-verness hut imperfrctly satisfactory
Mr. T. 4. Butler contributed another and Mr. Mllle
sends little pencil sketch There several
small figure studies by Mr. Hyde. In which there is
we may mention Mr. Maynaris PIPE aud Glass" Mr.
konks's Before tue Storm Mr. +. h. Gihords studles
of birds. Nr OsborBes unconventional well drawn
study from the nude and in addition To few etchngs
ana wood engravngs there extensive showing OF the
originals OF various and book illustrations.
OF this illustrative work the most Important is Mr..
that Mr. Kappes undertook ask for which he WAS
ntted when ne aemPe9 up, 10 Illustrate n ira
neither imaginative nor suggestive aud his literal inter
Tbus IN I'm. W,xsrd's Doom. H. contents him!nf with
showing ns literally many wizard Srow-hieaohing on
the wall" ana the wall which ills so large space in
his composition has no pictoril signihcsncs
ooN It's sv %S% n"rc nse @
Innch meaning rs the contents ef acomb In Tne
OF stairs the chief objection Is that the
renetiOn of stbbng hacking and saShng In all parts
of the picture needless and detacts from It's force
Something OF "a similar crudity is apparent tho liter
ally depicted mutGde OF oOrpses IN After the last
Battle" aud The Spirit Fires" OccasIonaly the
narrowly the ridiculous Ia the grOtcsque
figure In Tne Holy Grail" and the wooden hgaros IN
Percyals Story. II il at least lack OF tact
position which subOrdinates the figure OF Elaine
hc Last Voyage. although this has been done before
and Suilar lack Is noticeable In tho bleak and
"Knght!y DevOtOns." And artist of really nne
feeling would have drawn Marks Way In tho literal
crude fashion IN which the subject Is illustrated here
DOrf has dealt with this subject in his exaggerated
theatrical and yet with passionate force and
realty which makes his group Of husband, guilty wife
and paranour clettO the waist line IN ones memory
While M. Kappes lacks any intensity OF Imagination
and while he himself usually In tle bUldrsl
prose. there are curonsly enough three four draw
fngs which suggest DO6. One l. "MOdred's Chasiisr
Inen where Lncelo leaps upon Moded his long cloak
floating behind. While NJ ldrrd's creatures iy into
the shadows The action waving cloak and fly forms
Enthusiastically DoreSQur ana the sugges
lion The Skeleton Horsrman." and possibly
tn The Towers o. Ettarre" But for the most part Mr.
Kappess compositions contain little to awaken any last
Ing interest IL is pity that artist who done
good work in certain lines shonld needssy expose
his limitations.