New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-20
MR.. ABBEYS ORA WINGS.

Mr. Abbeys drawings in Illustration OF "She Stoops
10 Conquer " will remain upon exhibition at the
Crolier Club until Wednesday evening. Some Of
MT Abbey's original work has been from time to
time at this club and at the samaGundi exhibitions,
but this is the first exhibition Of collection Of bis
draw ngs. and this opportunity to make direct ac-
ouaintance with Mr. Abbeys refined, sympathetic and
expressive draughtsmanship viii commend itself to
bl who desire fami iarize themselves with the good
art Of time. That the spirit of the eighteenth
century taken possess of the artist and mpelled
him eanmate charming maiden Of earlier English
we're the gallant the country squire and the shrewd
witted pumpkin In all their grace, qualntness
nnd mschev GUS oafshness been abundantly recOg
hized by those who have seen Goldsmith recreated
by Abbey from month to month or who have waited
to the entire play at one sitting.
Is hard to say too much OF the
artists sensitive sympathy With his SUBJECTS
snd hs entire familiarity with the atmosphere of
Goldsnih's time, which represents saturatOn with
the sub ect rather than power OF assimilation
manifested here striking degree than
In his delirhtful Herrick.
or Mr. AbSey's vivacity expressiveness and general
truthfulness his pen and ink drawings 1t seems
suIerfuous 70 speak. The resources of this medium
have not been fully ut lied among US. although
few have improved its opportunities for slir ted and
telling linear work. There are some French art sts
Whose effects are obtained by fewer lines than Mr.
Abbey Toys. but II suggestion be pushed too Ear,
the work becomes caviare TO the general, delightful
drawings is universal. not restricted The spirit and
exact character Of most OF his figures give these
urawngs very high rank among all modern work IN
black and white We prefer Nr. Abbey's pen and ink
WORK to his "wash" drawings, and we cannot but feel
that this exhibition should prove suggestive to other
Brtists As regards accuracy, Mr. Abbey is usually
naim Table and strongest point is his truth Of
Rcton. for truth Of gesture, movement and attitude
have much IN do with general spirit and effect
He is not "impeccaber in his drawings, some Of
his uany enthusiastic friends would have US believe
n =
not have been remote If he was the owner OF SUCH
hani and especially such thumb a. Is pointed toward
the retreat NJ figures in No 81 MIS- hAMcasNe
putcrv n No. - might be due to The tLelt OF hrr
own hands and arms, and the substitution OF insists
OF er m nor slls might be cited but they are few IN
number and OversbadOwed by so many admiIaDe
achievements In one point Mr.. Abbey is decidedly
weak. and that composition. "h' re s''DFcS
with several figures makes a demand upon MN Ior
1lctful clouping concentration and lighting, ne
evales the demand as in the two alehOuse scenes
The no able explanation Is that he does not attempt
e. comIaSe but draws figures one DIV one "lohouD
espec al thought Of their mutual relauons ana geeral
ARRANGEMENT These drawings, therefore, appear
srattered and the eve stracted by two or three
cen res or worried by lines which form arbitrary
nivisions This noticeable in his last water
color The Old Song" and this apparent method
of working ND sub Jet bit by bit without regard to
pictorial aIangement detracos rom 'ne th
and expressveness of some OF the
Other other illustrators Mr. Abbey permits himself
to vary his types, and there are changes, as with
Miss Har1castie and Tony Lumpkn. but
esl Ella " with the women of the play, which may
prove disturbing to those who insist upon one race
plwaVs easy Of rpcOgnl ton As regards the repro
auctions it may be said that these are generally
faithful AMI satisfactory. The "wash" drawings have
been rel PRODUCED by pbotOgravure process. the pen
ami ink work by rhotO engraving or photo etching
process, and presumably printed from zinc plates.
CONN rson shows the chief defect 20 be the common
one of inability to express half tones As the pen
md ink drawings almost purely linear with less
attempt at tonaIty than seen even with this medium
in the work Of foreign draugthsmen, this diff
entity j. not conspicuous But in some Of the repro
duct Ons OF pen and ink the grays have printed black
In very inoppOrtune places. There is no sweeter
face in all the collection than that In No. 20 Thou
Dear Disscmbler" but the slight shading In the
corner Of the eye has been Intensified IN the
prnt NJ a. to injure the expression. But even with
this emporium " for direct comparison most Of the
occasions for criticism which presented are not
spec q ly si~nlfcant
Ne trust u a. NJ Arb y's drawings may remain upo
ryh b ion for longer time than that which has been
announced bak and white gallery OF this peculiar
cha ter is OF abundant appreciation, and we
espe tally commend the exquisite quality of Mr
Abbey's DRAWINGS TO those who have thus far failed
b. acquant themselves with the resources Of American