Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-11-10
Tho Currier Paintinxr.

NOW that the paintings of our young Ken
neoeo artist. Mr.. Alger V. Currier of Hal
lowell, which have been on exhibition /,
Portland during the past three weeks, are t,
be removed to New York, it is interestin,
Tor US to note the criticisms of the Portland
press, which may be said to represent tn,
Dest artistic judgment of the state, upon tn,
professional work of the young artist il
whom we at his home take so much loca
pride. The Sunday Times, Eastern Argus
Daily Press, Evening Express and the week
~ press OF the city, all contained severa
notices and criticisms of Mr. Curriers' work
IL would occupy too much of our space te
copy in full the many critical notices of the
several pieces, s,me of which were given
with minute analysis, and we must be con
tent with few general remarks. The Pres.
in speaking of the painting sTo Your
Health" says THE picture, in every detail
calls for the highest praise The coloring il
exquisite, and it is solid. The drawing 10 ex-
ceedingly accurate. 1t is instinct with life. y
Describing the piece called 'Deesse" or
Mature" the Press continues: From an
anatomical point of view alone it il admir-
able. The curves and beautiful lines of
the subject are reproduced with wonderful
fidelity and show great power. The shad.
ing of the flesh tints is excellent .. Mr.
Currier has within him the qualities of a
great artist" Of Mr.. Curriers' studies as a
class, the Press says. They have admira-
BILE coloring and excellent drawing; fine
sentiment in some, great power in others
The Argus said of Mature" Before this
piece every one stood in half awed delight
Never before have we seen in Portland SO
difficult subject painted in SO mastery
way" The Evening Express in describing
the collection as a whole says Never be-
fore since the gallery was open to the pub
lie ten or more years ago, have its walls been
hung with so fine work of only one man.
Referring more particularly to the individual
pieces, it says of "Deesse :" st is won
derful study" Nothing is more difficult to
draw than the human figure, and to paint it
against the pure white background ,as in this
instance. calls for more technical skill than
can often be found except in the works of a
dozen, perhaps, of the worlds great living
masters. The remarkable drawing so beau
tfui yet chaste,s only equalled by the clear
ness and strength of color kept in the very
high. almost dazzling key" OF the study
@ Mandolin Girl, the same journal remarks
For delicate and pure sentiment this impor-
tant work is the best example on the walls"
The most elaborate review, however, of Mr..
Curriers' work which We have seen is a
lengthy article in the Portland Daily Press,
from the pen of Prof. Henry johnson of
Bowdoin college, who is emnently qualified
by natural tastes and studies in foreign gal
leries, to be able both to commend and criti
CHE. In general remarks upon Mr.. Cur
rier's work, Prof. johnson says: "Mr. Cur
rier's drawing throughout is that of finished
artist, and he is never careless His studies
in oil, if judged as they should be, simply as
studies in tone, show an unusual mastery of
cate the wide range of his technical power
One of the surest indications of his success
is the fact that his work viewed together is
not monotonous. His feeling for color is
pleasing. Although the range of color in
these oil studies, taken as whole, is wide,
in any particular case we find the effect pro-
duced by simple and direct means and with a
sure hand" Prof. johnson then describes
with great minuteness the several pieces
OF the ITO your Health, he says: Its
technic is of mastery simplicity.
1t is not over finished and it conveys strong
impression of directness with nothing super
huous or distracting. 1t is full of character"
OF "Deesse" he remarks Mr. Currier gives
n this the sure evidence of having mastered
the all-important task of painting flesh To
make background of white was hazardous
tour de force, but it is brilliantly successful
In this case, as in all the other work of Mr.
Currier, the sentiment is pure and with moth
ng of the debased feeling sometimes OBJ
served in native French art" Describing
he Mandolin Girl he says: The spirit of
he scene has been admirably rendered We
,an almost hear the simple air which the I'M
Affected, unconscious girl is playing for her
,wn delight
Next week MIR. Curriers' paintings will be
to New York, and we shall await
With much interest the verdict of the great
art critics upon their character.
from local pride and favorite jeal-
BUSY, they will be passed upon by a more
stern, cold judgment than that to which the,
nave yet been subjected in America, but we
teel satisfied the verdict will be highly COM
ELEMENTARY to the young artist 1t is to be
hoped that Mr.. Currier will conclude to let his
many Augusta friends view his paintings
sometime the coming winter.
The latest within is the identification card.