New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-14
PAINTINGS BY MR.. BOUGHTON
SOME EXAMPLES OF HIS ART NOW ON EX.
HIBITION IN THIS CITY.

A collection Of some twenty paintings by MIR
George H. Boughton has been placed upon exhibition
by Mr.. s. 2. Avery. jr Half dozen Of these
pictures cataogued as belonging to Mr.. Avery
himself and the others have been lent by various
amateurs of this city. These pictures. with the four
or five examples Of Mr.. Boughton which have been
brought forward at the Knocdcr gallery, provide
opportunity which will doubtless be improved by adj
mrers OF the artist although II should be said that
the collection is By TO means fairly representative.
With one minor exception there is example OF the
Puritan subjects which have done much to extend
Mr.. Boughton's popularity. But the collection has
both a beginning and end. the former one OF the
little hard dry winter landscapes laborously painted
at Albany In 1855 and tho latter the large Isle CT
Wight landscape exhibited few months since in
London.
Between these Two paintings there are several
examples by uninstuctvc. OF the successive
Influences which the artist has encountered and of
changes in theme and manner Of expression The
constant factors are tendency toward illustrative
rather than purely PICTORIAL art and a certain con-
straint In expression, manlfestng Itself now In Ill
considered composition. awkwartness Of line weakness
of modelling aud texture and hating action. and again
In cropping after effective color which has had
mcrorOus results. Unfortunately these
pictures have not been arranged in chronological
order. but their proper sequence be determined
by little effort. After the Albany landscape comes
n little painting of child life called The Big Team
which plainly shows the influence of the artists new
associations at Ecoucn. where for a time his own
personality seems have been overpowerrd by ihas
OF Edoued Frere. It Is possible TO recognize little
more Hucncy IN the execution of this little genre and
certainly a developing feeling for color. although the
Increasing warmth. especially in flesh tones. and the
use OF dull reds and blues were among the manner
lsms of a school The color scheme Of this picture.
with the naua! notifications Is maintained In several
OF its successors. There is more color with moro
warmth and effort for tone In the called Help
Ing Granny painted In 1867 and the same tendency
is seen in a Dusty Road and Fading Light In
the latter the reds blues and the gray drab color
Ing of tho Ecouen painters has become modified. and
the landscape is pain ell in green. gray and yellow
with lighted distance although the familiar color
note is recalled I'm the treatment OF tho figure. This
picture. sufficiently pleasing to the In its tonaitv
Is followed by Failing Leaves a sombre autumna
landscape IN which there is absence OF atmosphere
well as absence OF color
The familiar figures Of this picture are followed by
"a GYPSY Grl.' painted in 1874, a work commonplace
I'm design like its predecessor. but invested with
sentmcntallty which is apt TO enlist popular favor.
There Is an attempt at forcibe color and the lrst
effect sufficiently agreeable but the cooring lacks
purity, Just the linear work lacks precision and
strength. Here, elsewhere. there 10 want of
surance and OF spirit In the execution. The painting
shows signs OF tmIdty as though the artist had
abored over his canvas without full confidence In
himself certainty regarding his results. The
ceedng picture. The Widows Acre." which Is illus.