New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-01
ART NEWS AND COMMENTS.
THE WEEK IN ART CIRCLES.


NOTES OF THE PAST sEAsox-Nxws or THE Exmr-
BITIONs.
In the course OF tho past year there have been
some noteworthy exhibitions, but the year has been
distinguished not so much by ITS special events"
as by the increase OF public interest in American art.
| and tho evidences OF It's progress THE TRrBUM
has persisteny claimed for American art tho right
to DO judged upon IT'S merits, without the prejudice
which has prevented many amateurs from considering
| American work Some Of these amateurs who never
visited tho studios regular exhibitions were con-
tent belief that good painting in this country
was a matter of tho Indefinite future. and meantime
they were acquiring foreign paintings feeber In DO
sign and execution than work which could be- seen
| in any Of the exhibitions. Considering tho various
motives and interests involved, PERHAPS 1t is mob
strange that prejudice against American art because
American should have lasted so long, but the past
year has opened the eyes of many amateurs ~
The TRIBUNE pointed out two years and moro ago,
the committee OF the Union League Club could
correct misapprehensiOns where correction was most
needed and, every knows, the club undertook
the task and has performed 1t with most gratifying
results. The Academy, finally realizing its cppor-
tunty revived last spring and presented to tho pub
lie interesting collection Of American paintings
by these and other agencies American art has glins1
a larger share Of consideration from amateurs az
well as from tho public.
It might almost be argued that consciousness OF
this growing appreciation has stimulated Tho artists
better work, for there has certainly been an In
in the amount Of good painting within tho
year. Artists who returned from foreign atcers
since 1890 had time enough to FREQ themselves
from scholastic influences, and to de- elop on their
limos, and the work of some members Of this
group has been gratifying disclosure OF native
talent. The number Of promising painters making
their first appearance here within the year has
furnished substantial for confidence in tho
fu arc
well trained, and the way will be easier for them than
for those who osracised from the Academy some
ten years ago. One interesting feature Of tho year
has been tho advance in landscape painting This has
been In the direction OF closer observation OF
careful study of atmospheric effects OF air and light,
and of greater freedom. This freedom has shown
itself In readiness to paint nature a natural key
and not toned down to a conventional standard
II Is not difficult matter to paint landscapes &C
cOrding 10 ths formula OF schools. Tns follow
ing of patterns wiil.out much regard to nature ~
illustrated in every exhibition and the public ha:
become habtuatcd 10 Il, but IL Is not true. some OF
genuine outdoor effects, ana an ability to express
color values, form and other essential elements,
in work OF permanent distinction II Is perhaps sig
niacant that certain figure painters have taken up
much of current movements in art in literature, bat
no one probably cNIccts that inerrasch neres. In
OF all manner OF American pictures, good and bad or
Il n d ns ns sa snaep9 ': "na " S
older artists stands a, the head Of American land
presented fewer Changes calling for comment in
brief sketch of the principal phases of the year.
II the reality Of appreciation of American art bs
called I'm question: there is an answer In the number
Of amateurs collecting American pictures, IN tho
vaos gifts of tho year. and In the fund for the benefit
Of American art which TIE TRIBUNE able to pre-
diet year ago. The past year has been fortunate
Gaming wear Is lirolv to 10 nsnorahc In The history
OF art education In New-Yofk
There will be musical entertainment for tho benefit
of the "Goihsn Art Students the evening OF jan
uaiy 10 at the American Art Galleries. he Of
which has been given for this purpose Mmc ,Iurio-
Cell Will have charge of the concert which Will
clnde both instrumental and vocal music Tho col
lection of painting, ut present in these galleries VIII
remain on view This affords Opportunity to aid
school whose purpose deserves encoura cement
This purpose has been primarily the teaching OF art
TO yonng men and women engaged r. occupations
where such instruction could be utilized.
There will be few announcements of anc,lon sales
until tho question Of evening selling Is settled but it
appears that few sales already planned pro-
vdcd that the present obstacle removed. The coli
lection OF the atc II. p. Kdder consists of very small
number Of pictures, but another sale IS promised
which may be important, at least as regards tho
number OF paintings offered. II Is understood that
the collections Of Messr Edward Kearney and Jordan
L. Mott may be sold az auction in the Fifth Avenue
Galleries later in the season The former has been
known as considerable buyer of pictures especially
illustrate the popular art Of tho day There Is no
prospect Of any sale comparable 10 that OF the Morgan
tho winter or early spring may bring the sale Of
collection Of excellent quality.
Mcssrs Knocdlcr & Co. have received Tefobvrc's
chief Salon picture ideal figure entitled Morning
Glory" The colorIng has the ultra refinement and
delicacy Characteristic of Lecbvre'S decorative work.
and the drawing which shows this refinement has
certain academic with little positive force
The blue Of the eyes Is OF tho stronger notes in
the color scheme and lighter blue Is seen in tho
drapcrics There yellow flowers in the back
ground and in one hand which help to strengthen ths
paler yellow of the hair, and few peoples intro
duced accents With the exception one fold the dr
peres white and the flesh tlnts have only slight
degree of warmth. The picture would not be out Of
place as boudor panel, but 1t Will appeal favorably
to many, and it IS Interesting as an example of Le
at Lake Como, by Corot which IS called Lo Patre"
bs sc distant lake and few buildings on the e s
depression between the middle Of the hills and &C.
and another IS seen against the luminous s sEy " on N:
right. rms Is one OF the pictures of Corots latest
artist aimed to obtain his effect at the first sitting.
The American landscapes exhibited by Messrs
Knoedler g. Co. include pictures by Messrs. Hoeber
and Van Boskerck The better OF the formers two
pictures is Wow Of low, sandy plain, partly
grown with coarse grass the trees in the distance out-
lined against sky flushed with evening light There
10 IOrfu texture as Weu
as Tone and the distance is truthfully painted. This
work, which snstains belief In tho artists promise 10
accompanied by Mr. Van Boskercks study of Mano-
met hillside with road winding upward, the scene
full of the clear cold light which DO favored
By the artist Mr.. Van Boskerck Is q most industrts
Gus and often an interesting painter, but It seems
difficult for him to avoid dryness and hardness. So
far trutbfuness and and feeling Tor color so, the
better American landscapes bear comparison Well with
English work. II Mr.. Douglas Adamss picture In the
knoedler gallery IL to DO taken as an example OF tho
latter Tho coorng with It's forced reds and purples
Weeks Is to DO noted, Persian Horse Dealers =
clcyery panted Of brilliant figures and OF achs
lecture which is pitched in the high hoy usual in Mrs
Weeks's paintings of India u
Tho December Portfolio 10 number Of much fnters
est There arc three excellent photographic prints