New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-08
ART NEWS AND COMMENTS
THE WEEK IN ART CIRCLES.
NOTES OF THE ExnIaITIoSs-ARr NEWS ELSE
WHERE.

Tho exhibition OF THO Archteecturat League, which
closed last evening. appears to have been sufficiently
successful TO warrant tho belief that League exhibit
ton will be regular feature Of the art Thh
will afford o means OF noting current movements in
architecture OF the better and 1t is fortunate that
these exhibitions likely to be continued. They
should increase appreciation of architecture art
and to establish distinction In the public mind
between the WORK of trained artists aud tile work mos
whose knowledge Is mechanical and imperfect at thar.
collection Of architectural wings alone appeals 10
tho fcwraher than the many and the plan OF supple
menng the drawings with examples OF decorative art IL
worth permanent adoption rho dan lies IN doing too
much and forming exhibition miscellaneous and dis
tracing Mr. Lows drawings were out OF place IN the
gallery where thcy have been shown aud Ii was uis
taxa to crowd much into one room. These drawings
should have had a to themselves Another time IT
might be well ~ make O special featurs ~ some one
decorative art, a small gallery might LIS
furnished with such OF tho best examples OF applied art
would bsat well arranged room In dwelling house.
The reeent exhibition however represents amount OF
zeal and energy the part OF the promoters for which
they deserve credit Although tho attendance has not
been large, averaging little hundred daily. the
results appear to be considered satisfactory.
Tho omission OF the Artists Fund exhibition leaves
nothing to interfere with preparations for the exhibition
OF the Water Color Society," which Is second to In
popularity This year the number OF pictures submitted
promises to DC larger than last year, and the committee
admissions will be compelled to make tho choice
which been presented to the committee on adms
sions OF the Academy. The number OF artists who
water co9s IL nSseas and amateur ess
have found to their sorrow. 1t would he easy to make
exhibition of 500 water coOrs for fully 1000 Will
probably be sent In, but IL woaIi be mnwisc
1t Is understood that the Prize Fund exhibitions
are to be continued and the will be opened ut
American Art Galleries In April. Certain awards NJ
these exhibitions have been justly criticized but OF
course the results of any sysem OF prize giving viii
ocrason less dissatisfaction II the amateurs
bition have made some prepcscrous selections IL must
he said that they have done than the artists
who have sometimes bestowed medals apparently as
tokens of friendship The usefulness OF prize giving is
not yet established year or two since artist
suggested that all questions OF prizes he abandoned at
these exhibitions, and that he promoters should simply
guarantee certain amount OF sales TINS could be
done In vari0u, ways. Tue Fund could no kept up.
ures as they chosc presenting them afterward to
museums but avoiding the prize idea . aud maxingn
accomplish this wou be for the snbscrber 10 place the
matter OF selection entirely In the hands OF the directors
of the nusrus which might be entitled to representa-
ton. These gentlemen could make the choice ro
their own institutions and II would be understood that
this was the aim Of the exhibition rather than the be.
| the Muse Fund Museum Purchase
If the museum 1' directors and fhemseye Snabe 10
expend the amount OF the Fund satisfactorily. any
next year n Purchase Fund is established at tho
Academy the annual use OF the fni income should not
u
ton OF the trustees
The auctoneers danger of harm at the haEds OF
overzoalous friends Some OF the latter have advocated
the repeal of the present law affecting picture auctions
and enactment This would cause delay and
further complications The auctioneers understood
to favor amendment to the present law which will
allow pictures after proper exhibition to he sold in tho
evening The dearth OF picture sales thus far this
indicates the necessity OF prompt action There
will be Seast sale this month whether the law is
changed or not, but there Is no certainty of more.
| Tho death Of Francois Bonvn has mpeIlcd French
journalists to recognition OF his talent considerably
more cordial. usual than that accorded the artist
while alive lie Temps" predicts for Bonvn a
place greater and more enduring in the history OF
French art than that of many artists who have had moro
contemporary consideration aud raised dust
the saying Is. Francois Bonvn, not to be eonfounded
with Leon Bonvin, the delightful painter of flowers
small fruits and landscapes, whose work Is admirably
| illustrated in Mr.. ". T. walters's collection, made his
debut the time Revolution OF 1S43, when
the so-caled realistic movement was well under way
Courbet was then active force and MIliet In his
patty with peasant hfe Bonvin neither oassoist
nor romaDtiest. the other hand did he try to
nor to Translate plans Of reform Ike courSeL Ills irss
Salon picture shown 10 lSt9 was study OF men drink
attracting attention by the striking naturalism OF his
nsss ana MS conscientious detail n ne rendering OF
interiors and sometimes simple still life. He found
seeking noisy effects. However he embarrassed
IN rendering focbe notes all amateurs have preserved
| 1858. Bonyfn In way q painters painter,
phrase, suggesting volIon; whose manner, however,
BonvS with some Of the FismIsn masters according
lie Temps" but It would seem that lie was more in
oftcn classified with Ie Sain and Charin lie painted
surroundings. and he painted with keen
TO roh low tones and depth Of color His cooring
aud his execution conscientious and workmsnlike. Few
Of his pictures have been seen in thu. country Ths
example, admirable in color.
Despite the dulncss Of the season the dealers continue
to bring out pictures of interest One OF latest
large landscape In Rousseaus later manner, which is
shown by MI s. p. Avery, jr. This and picture Illus
trating new departure By Jimnez deserve atten
ton than eau be given at present good example OF
Monticellfs favorte color scheme suggests the Mont.
cell exhibition In London. where the artist has been
comparatively unknown Outside England" ssya
MontioelIi Is knswn the modern Tintoretto.' Ia
matters OF form hc tends rather toward Whistler than
AZ the % sary HS essr Con-
there Is An evening scene by MI O. Davis with some
II W. Ranger. " ''''' WIN y '''
story is told of rich American amateur who wac
taken to Bonvins modest studio where the Of
comfort disconnected the stranger However he asked
the price OF pietnre and told thre
| francs 5000. price, comparatively speaking alb
surily low. bargain made. but when tho
purchaser was ready to sail the picture did not
friend went to hasten Bonvtn. VINO replied Now.
have felt rsmorse Tue price too dear Aud then.
why do ycr wish that sell It to this foreigner He s
very amiabe dare But picture Is NJ the house
Of An actor OF the Coincide traneasi 60 to see u
| Whenever desire | have sold II TO him for l.eOQ
francs 10 you that Is all the picture is worth"
Naturally Bonvin remained poor. The hausse OF the
price OF pictures seemed ~ ban rdiculous and he mado
II point OF honor 10 maintain the price OF his time
would be Interesting 70 know what the artist received
| for Pinch OF Snuh,' which Ut the Morgan sale
brought ~ $50
|
NJ Endeis exposure of forseries Of paintings, pore -
lain faioncc, antique furniture, metal work. etc. seome
to DO complete, but no evidently failed TO exhaust tho
subject Tho Swiss archaeological Journal, Antigua
states that several manufactures Of spurious arr lut
ties have recently been established In tho Alrinc Yah
eys, In the hope perhaps. Of large pfonis