New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-12

Mr.. Charles H. Miller n. A., exhibits collection
Of 40 paintings at the Fifth Avenue Art Galleries.
These paintings VIII be sold at auction on Thursday
and Friday evenings. Mr.. Miller has exhibited his
pictures at the National Academy for nearly dirty
years, and HIS work. the catalogue informs us has
obtained recognition at many other exhibitions His
subjects have been found al home, ard his collection
might be used as a text for essay upon the inter
probation of familiar themes. There subjects
all about which invite the painter and yet some
Of the best remain neglected. Mr. Miller presents
suggestion OF metropolitan SERIES In his paintings
OF New-York from Newtown Creek, from Long Island
City and from Weehawken, and of High Bridge from
the old Harlem Lane. His painting Of the East River
from Long Island City Is certainly suggestion Of
pictorial possibilities which have never been thor
oughly improved. But Mr. Miller is pre-eminently
painter OF Long Island and he has found the minority
Of his subjects at East Hampton, Roslyn, Far Rock
away Valley Stream, Patchogue, and especially near
Queens the artists summer home. Several pbfures,
like 81 On the Road 10 Market and Long Island
Peasants, Illustrate phases Of the citys food supply,
and other paintings might be cited as examples OF
praiseworthy endeavor TO interpret familiar nemeS-
Some OF the scenes about us may be sighted on 40
count of their very familiarity but this is asareily
a mistake or a confession Of weakness MI Aii-
Iers manner IS familiar TO those who follow cur ex-
hibtOns year by year, for the artist has remained
faithful TO his theory that nature should be viewed
with Constable's eyes. Thus We find succession OF
rich brown landscapes, with old English figures
perhaps as accents with stately trees and masses Of
foliage underneath skies crowded with massive curnu
clouds 1t would DO unjust TO regard Mr. Miller only
as an mitator for such consistent and earnest prac-
flee must rest upon reasoned theory. The only
theory suggested is that Constable saw nature IN me
right way and paint nature rightly It Is necessary
10 paint like Constable Like most doctrinaires Mr.
Miller himself has suffered from his zeal. for beyond
the evidence of earnestness. industry, some feeling
for pcturesqueness and strong appreciation OF rch
hut subdued coIoring Mr. Mlllers artistic indi.
yidualIty yet remains imperfecty defined. When he
attempts TO express himself In color Alone as 10 INC
three decorative compositions, he Is evidently gfopns
for the right way, and the results are uncertain and
OF very slight decorative value When he essays an
expression of the "idealH as n the curious group
formed by nude nymphs and Long Island MILL the
figures are not only devoid Of ideaty, but also such
faulty examples of design that can only wish for
the artist strict adherence to landscape
Nevertheless these essays Indicate ambition. ann
even though this ambition has been unproductve. rs
in the large painting Of rocks with Niagara In the
background. jealous purpose deserves recognition.
Moreover after all IS said, ID mast be admitted that
many perhaps most OF these paintings have PICTORIAL
quality Of a certain kind Thee pictures are based
upon other pictures upon nature, but the painter
exhibits feeling for color and frequently an excellent
appreciation of effect. We have noted many examples,
some which show really a remarkable quality in the
rendering Of subdued coIors, With avoidance. Of
opacity but it Is impossible % single out special
Illustrations. In other pictures the coloring does
become Opaque, and there are .ens 81 moasses' 70
most interesting and there many which have
companionsbe quality In their hne unaggresye color
ing that should commend Itself 70 orr amateurs Mr.
Millcr's pictures are accompanied by landscapes BY
Messrs. Virgins, Inness. Bastert md Others