New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-18
MIR. ERWIN DAVLSS PAINTINGS


Among the American paintings IN the collection OF
Mr. Erwin Davis are two by Mr. Bunce, OF whom We
have heard too istgis IN recent years 1heFe Was
time when Mr. Bunces symphonies greeted vistors
TO the regular exhibitions, but these pictures pow
present themselves almost lie new work. Yet ooth
win be familiar TO many. There Is httie landscape,
fairly naive in simplicity Of composition and lack OF
detail but charming in tho subdued harmonious color
ing Its companion is a much larger yellow ana
gray twilight study Of the Venice which MI. Bunee
deudcts with so much devotion and SO much success
In realizing certain Of tho softer finer phases OF al
mosphere coloring This is not one OF his best pe
ures but It offers much which Is admirable although
n has suffered slightly from the artists unworhman
like way Of working. Mr. Wyatt Eaton has con-
triuuted noble figure called Rejection figure 70
he valued on account of serious character and IN
diyidual interest well as the admirable pantng OF
the head and black dress The fresh green Morning"
by Mr.. Inness presents phase of natural scenery
which the artist has rarely failed to render VITA
singular appreciation. The Sunset is another chAr
acteristc work. but the coloring is little forced ana
the figure an addition Of slight value. Mr. Palmers
warm rich harvest scene, which is injured by want OF
textures and the hardy, patchy sky, broad s'rohs
painting by Mr. Twetchman called April CLOUDS ana
q harbor scene, piquant in color, suggestive IN 10
sign, delightful flower piece, and study Oh heAa
by Mr. Weir, landscape by Mr.. Miner, large In com
position and effective in execution, and paintings oy
-
illustrate American art
II would be proper to say that In general character
this collection begins with the romantic movements
but few paintings are OF earlier date OF the
mastery little stlnlife painting assigned TO Chardin,
we have spoken aready. We know that only twenty
three signed paintings OF stll life by Charaln hays
been fully identified, but this picture was clearly
paInted by a mastery hand. Michel, who In way
connected the nsuraists with the old Dutch landscape
painters, is represented by large pale yellow wood
INTERIOR with figures the "waterspout' dark Wig
oruus painting, and two others. But the collection
may be said begin with Gericsulps st ifc, and the
group OF studies and paintings by Delscrolx In poins
OF time the Milton undoubtedly, comes first but
the Lion Hunts leads In Importance This Is one
OF four finished paintings Of this special subject and
one Of $50 drawings sketches ana compiee pictures
OF hons which are recorded by kooauI Inc nrss
Lion Hunt painted In 1854, was parity destroyed oy
fire at Bordeaux. Two others were painted In 1893,
and this picture was finished IN 1883. One OK the
naintinrs of 1855 has been 10 this country TOT inc
mast year. and some OF our amsfeurs Aho" thae "o
have had Rner example OF Delacroxs spehuu coios
and intense action. The scene Is laid apon tho ses
,bone and while the general action upon the nghs
s like that of Mr. Daviss painting, there Is another
thrilling struggle upon the left, where the honess
has spr,nv upoh and overturned horse and rider.
| In comprehensveness and purity and oriinancs Oh
coloring the painting 10 which we refer Is easiS
s,perfor but the Lion Hunt OF the Davis coi'ecuoh
| is none the less q superb WORK iaNori'o oo'"A
scheme f. used In the employment OF the reds green's
| blues and dull yellows, and the ooiors alone
| with their fine greenish setting, express the
! sprit of the conflict. Despite some slight opac's
here and there ths picture is worthy OF great mar
ter and 1T should receive especial attention. Tue
study OF aChrstians Entering Constantinope' on
other illustration OF the artists power Of RENDERING
action and intense feeling IN color and again We hsvs
/ centralized arrangement and blending OF color ~
the sketch Of church interior These pictures ana 'ne
nte portrait should add to our knowledgo OF an no
tense personality an artist Of the first force as regad
intellectual quality and imaginative power. VINO en-
pressed himself primarily IN color, often dsrcsafuni
form. hut never from careessness or ignorance
Among tho halfdozen studies By Decanps IS
dramatic study of rocky waste tensnted only d
wild beasts, an unusually imaginative work. OF 70
minor examples there is less TO be said They sho'
subjects different from those ordinarily chosen, pu
thcir Significance Is comparatively small corot sr<
Troyop are represented by more important exam
4 PIES and the group Of Coros In one corner OF tn
gallery would be dnlcuit OF duplication. The Fcro'
an obiong painting Of landscape with rcd-espls'
horscman beneath twisted tree. Is darker 10 =
shadows than we could wish. but the pictars = en
OF great interest and value But there - nner g
ample Of dc,ieste coloring md the diffusion OF sr =.
ght IN the painting called In tho Woods at Maroon
| Sis delicious green ccrot formerly known,
are net mistsken, as The Eei Fishsrs.s 1as
Il