New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-17
THE AU1 UMN ACADEMY EXHIBITION

The autumn exhibition at the National Academy %
Design realizes the original purpose OF these exhibitions
I'm a larger measure than of its predecessors.
The proportion of pictures OF the sketch and study
order is considerable to be quickly appreciated
despite the self assertveness Of larger and moro am
bilious canvases 1t must be said that many con-
trbutions which essentially mere studies have
lost something Of their freshness through that desire
for elaboration which seems TO possess painters as
exhibition time draws First intentions havs
been modified and outdoor effects toned down in tho
studios until Of the minor pictures have gained
a nondcscrlpt character which counts for little IL
this exhibition to be judged by absolute
standard It must be accounted a disappointment. But
this is better collection than the Academy offered US
two years ago, and we may fairly mako allowances
for peculiar difficulties. The catalogue contains only
$50 numbers, and the comparatively small size of tho
collection may be taken indicating effort at good
quality. There many newcomers, some Of con-
siderable promise, and the welcome which has been
given debutants is certainly not to be deprecated
when we consider the purpose Of the exhibition Ger
tain representatives Of those who are still termed
"he younger artists have earned good places on the
Academys walls but their number is smaller than We
could wish There is nobody this year who makes
hole in the wall to quote Mllets phrase, but thers
are many good examples Of genre painting and sew
eral landscapes, with q few marines which are Of
decided excellence the whole the genre painters
have the best Of It In this exhibition, despite the re-
cent increase of interest in landscape. There are
genres which aim at Photographic rendering OF shops
and kitchens and studios and precise inventory OF
their contents, and there are genres painted with
color effects the chief end in view " Ideal' sub
ecs, called but poorly represented, and there IL
little to be said of imaginative quality in this exhi-
Dltion. The visitor IS in little danger of any moving
appeal to his senslbites, but he be catholic and
observant he Will find many excellent minor examples
of pictorial effort, and much which has the value OF
promise II not Of actual fuhlment.
Ambitious essays in portralturc are few in number.
but Mr. Chase has contributed example, very brill
iant II not fully sustained in execution. Perhaps
shall hear more Of Mr.. Sargenrs beautiful portrait
of lady with rose for Mr. Chase has painted full
length portrait of young lady IN black aud there 10
a flower, although il lies upon table Mr.. Chase
has painted the face with dellcacy which is in dan
ger of becoming weakness, and the hands AMI arms
are bloodles thiny painted and deficient in modelling,
but the general effect is delightful, and the render
ing of the dress the painting of black upon black tho
contrasts and the relief Of the body all managed
with rare skill II this is to be still called the new
school,, we may for contrast TO tho older
school Of portraiture lustra ell in very good example
of Mr.. Huntington, and In portrait by Mr.. Jared
Flagg Mr.. Beckwith contributes portrait the flesh
tones forced but the modelling well managed, and
Mr. Kenyon Cox exhibits excellent little portrait
of an elderly lady, quiet and sympathetic In cooring
and with figure well brought out against the dark
background, although there is some feeling OF dryness
and lack of atmosphere. Perhaps We are to accept
solo," by the same artist as portrait, but here
the sharp isolation Of strong coors provokes spirit
of discomfort which may do Injustice to the technical
ceverness of the picture There is strong study Of
a head by Mr. Simmons, with portraits by Mossrs
Freer Friedlandcr and others, but We must pass on
without attempting to exhaust the resources of tbs
collection.
Busy Tack Workers. is the title Of an honoraby
tba GALL whit Or dear NJ
Ward has painted with Photographic fidelity, but IN
the north gallery, Mr.. II. b. Wechser shows in his
Holland Love-making" that equal fidelity In essen
tias is not incompatible with pictorial effect. Tho
painter, a newcomer, we believe, appears to belong
to the school of Munich, but his picture shows more
freedom and much more atmosphere and excellence
of color than some OF The work which has come TO
us from Munich aseliers The subject is slight one,
but there is promise in the treatment Mr. Wiless
Sunlight In the studio should prove popular ex-
ample of the pictures in which rich effects of color
have been the chief consideration. Mt ii. b. Kellogg
has violated all considerations of fitness by present.
ing spick and span and very cheerful model under
the tile OF Cinderella Mr. Leon Morans Bache.
lor' is another Immaculate being, depicted by tho
artist with loving care and with no inconsderabls
mechanical aGroitness Mr.. Maynard exhibits care
fully painted illustration of neo-classicism In addition
TO silhouette called Daphne and Mr.. Denman
has Sayed away 10 w Ta' b2
Hovenden, Butler, Curran, Witt and Story, W.
must pass 10 note some excellent landscapes OF
modest dimensions by MeSsrs Clifford, Cox and Coffin.
a large landcape.b by Mr. Cay IN the south gallery,
studies of tho decaIe effects of Indian summer by Mr.
Minor. effect of rain and fog by Mr.. Hamilton,
and Mr.. Waugh's Eeanore,' vague attempt at
sentimental landscape, or genre or the much talkedof
ideal,' the observer chooses. Among other land
scapes and shore Views examples OF Messrs.
Elchelberger, Sawyer, smie, Parton and Bristol
Mr. Hoeber sends various pictures showing consider
able decacy Of observation, but Mr.. bogerrs work
is unremarkable Mr.. &. III. Miller is among tho
painters Of large landscapes and Mr. Tracy appears as
deineator of sheep upon a generous scae-sheep
evidently OF different breed from the sheep OF Yer
bocckhovep SO neatly depicted by Nh TAFT,
Among the marines the visitor viii readily discover
Mr. Tylers painting of an angry sea daShing wreck
upon the rocks, and there is a strong picture OF
storm at by Mr. Frank W. Benson, who has painc
the foam whipped from the tops of the waves and
driving before the blast. Turning 10 other themes,
We find Mr. Poore again proving his thorough knowl-
edge OF the ways of fOxhOunds and his appreciation
OF their harmonious cooring when seen together IN tho
field Mr.. Van Schaick exhibits a fantasy with hgurs
dyy painted, but alive with expression and a.
contrast TO their fun and mischief, we have Mira
Mllss picture OF soldiers orphans salutng DeS'
Grafton Day procession