New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-06
PICTURES AT TIE A EHLETIC CLUB

PICTURES At TIE A LHLEIIC CLUB
Cow, American art IS illustrated at the Ncw-Yorh
Athletic Club in a collection OF MY pain''nss ~noh
have ncvor been publicly exhibited before rms -
tho second annual exhibition OF cruz. which, hho 'ho
Union League Club and other soaal ORGANIZATIONS
interests itself in acquaintins tho pnoc with WORK ny
,rh,c, our native painters afford to he represent
ri These club exhibitions OF American art have al
ready cxcrted appreciaeie influence, ana inc OK
,,,ao. a. tho Athletic Clnb should persuade doubling
Tsomases that Il Is unnecessary TO go away from
home in order to secure examples OF good art The
admirable quality and the freshness Of this collection
made SATURDAYS private view" uncommonly in
terestioc occasion not surprising TO find land
scape art 80 well represented although Mr. Innesss
@scpacmbcr Afternoon must be accounted an exccp-
tional work. but il Is not usual to SEQ In our OK
ha,ions such examples of feeling for the Ideal and
Imaginative the pictures OF Mcssrs. Low, A. r.
RYDER and Sicison Mr.. lows O. Meath tho Apple
BoughS" is painting of beautiful nude figure, part
ly framed in blossoms and touched here and there by
The sunlight falling through the branches Tho purify
refinement and sincerity OF purpose which have char-
actcfzed Mr. Lows Illustrative work will be recog-
nized in this idyu Of the spring His drawings OF 'he
fguro have bccn uneven, but this picture IS remadN
able both the simplicity and completeness Oh 'he
design and The excellence of tho execution 'hero
will always be differences OF opinion as 10 .ho i"' Vi
flesh in light intended TO simuia'e 'ha' "a ~"
ture. but there wide differences IN moucis' M
Lows flesh tones are neither extremely hot nor Cold
and as IL seems to he has succeeded adMfaoiy IN
suggesting the warmth of blood pusing beneath
delicate surface His drawing is refined and usually
accurate his feeling for grace ana beauty OF hho
compensa.cs for occasional lack OF Vigor. In us
larger aspect this picture must be regarded as sue
cessfu creation, charming embodiment of the spirit
Of tho spring.
Mr. RIDERS Temple Of the Mind is less simple
and direct in purpose. but there is composition,
form and distance well as charm OF color,
and tho picture is OF Ar. Ryders best pieces OF
work. although he has confused the functions OF liter
allure and art The elementary axiom that a picture
should require explanation Is violated by the artist
since his picture requires for its full comprehension
the reading Of Poes poem, which will explain the
three figures shrinking from the satyrlibe form which
bars entrance to the temple But. on the other hand,
II ignore the illustrative meaning which the artist
has attempted to express, and accept his work Tor It's
pictorial value only, we have delicious moonlight
scene with figures and architecture mysterious and
suggestive The three foreground figures are better
IN definition and action than is usual with an artist
who has learned to draw, and the distance is
indicated with more care, although the recedlhg
planes fall far short of complete workmanship.
Nevertheless the has atmosphere, which ME-
Rydcrs pictures often lack and ii has merits beside
the mellow and rich cooring which often deludes
the unwary into Indifference to all else. Mr.. RyderS
sincerity his posscSSio of what commonly called
poetic feeling should DO recognized without under
rating knowledge of the means OF expression In
their manner Mr. Ryder and Mr.. Stetson both take us
back occ asionay to the small studies of Gercault and
some OF the pictures of DccampS and DelacroX. very
likely the resemblance Is not worth noting, and yet II
would seem that StetS0n might have studied some
of the painter-lke work which Mr.. Robinson has
brought to Providence. In his picture OF the night
burial of a suicide, " Out of Consccrated Ground"
Mr stetson crrs like Mr.. Ryder, but in lesser de-
aict1r I'm
meaning The hnirying forms bearing the bier be
hind gloomy figure holding aloft torch, are most
impressive, but this hasy night burial might be aitel
battle or it might be half dozen things, If we
Judge as must, from the picture alone. 1t Is not
worth while dwell upon the technique which Is
easily pulled pieces, but it may be said that the
picture shows imaginative force and a feeling Tor
color. And Imagination is not common in our
picture making that We can afford TO pass it by.
This be our excuse for consideration OF these
three pictures which leaves little chance for the
notice of the many good things In this d'Screotly
chosen collection. Mr.. InneSs's september After
noon is a pictuyo which shows the artist at his best
There is intensity Of color without dScord and there
strength tempered with reserve The picture Is low
I'm tone although fre-weed, sunlight, and
white building which IS the only note out OF key,
furnish warmth and color. Their. is great mass OF
rich. dark foliage in the middle distance of the field
set over against s1perb cn1nuius cloud With this
noble landscape is sunrise which consists of ono OF
the artists favore opposltlons OF greens and reds
tree forms and foliage which illustrate the unovenness
of Mr.. Inness's work Mr. Tryon is represented by
a pleasant little moonlight and snow scene of little
note. and there autumn scenes by Mr.. Murphy, a
moon rtse and study OF willows by MIR. kost, which
show most encouraging progress an excellent sun
down" and a Daubgny like sketch by MI. Pauli, a
well harmcnzed landscape by Mr. IOraO Walker, and
cattle piece by Mr. Virgins an intelligent study of
tone and color; two good landscapes by Mr. Bolton
Jonos, varied in manner, and pictures by Mcssrs.
Chase and G. H. Davis. One of the ceVcreSt pictures
IS Mr. Chase's pastel study OF a nude model the col
Oiing green cushions of hair flesh and background
sdroitly relieved and brought together and the text
ures deity Indicated There three water color
sketches by Mr. Winslow Homer with some vigorous
layng-in of figures and some strong painting OF the
movement of waves breaking on shore and there IS
a Breezy Day" by Mr.. Curran, clever picture de-
serving its Mr.. Boggs has painted large view
of New York arbor, rather a view of staggering
tug and lurching merchantmen, with the Liberty
bolt upright in the background. The composition IS
not pleasant I'm its lines, in the tpSN motion which
Is obtruded but there Is some good painnS OF wafer
Mr.. a. II. Thaycrs d" Lillian" Is another OF the goOu
pictures of this collection tho chin and lower face
admirably painted. and the effect has much charm
but the Workmanship is uneven. and the shadows ana
flesh tnts turbid These with Initiative work
by Mr.. Habere, and pictures by Messrs. Church.
Blakcock- Baker Moran. Lipplncott and others make
up collection of remarkable merit