New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-01-06
ART NEWS AND COMMENTS.
THE WEEK IN ART CIRCLES.
THE vEREsTcHAGIN ExHIBITIoN-NoTEs ON
PAINTINGS AND PRINTS

THE vEREsTcHAGIN ExHIBITIoN-NoTEs ON
PAINTINGS AND PRINTS.
The verestchasln exhibition Mt the American Art
Galleries will close January 10, week from today.
The pictures and the accompanying paraphernaia VIII
be taken TO Chicago and placed upon exhibition IN tho
galleries of the Art Institute IL is probably SAFE to
say that this exhibition has not satisfied tho hopes
of It's promoters. The attendance has mover seemed
extraordinary and II has been readily apparent that
the exhibition was not Of the things talked OF
everywhere and talked Of so persistently that all
hearers became visitors in turn. This was the case
when the Morgan collection was exhibited at the same
galleries. One heard the collection talked OF every
WHERE and the crush at the galleries any pleasant
day a painfully convincing proof OF popular IN
terest But the verestchagn exhibition has never
seemed to enjoy approximate popularity
despite tho generous advertising. and the rugs ana
brc-abrao and music and O'Clock tea. 1t is hardly
worth while to find fault with these extraneous al
fractions for the Russian jewery the curios ana the
rugs presented genuine claims upon public attention.
Their exhibition in this may have been regarded as
an Acknowledgement that the art OF Nercstcnagh
needed reinforcement, but no such acknowledgment
has been made openly and, as matter OF fact no
such reinforcement was needed. Vcrestchagins work
has deserved consideration, even though 1T has been
necessary to show that he has been anticipated In
MANY of his claims and extravagant In others, Thai
many of HIS motives have been inappropriate ana MS
technique often faulty been well 10 have had
an opportunity for acquaintance with this phase OF
art and no one IS Obliged TO accept Verestchagins
estimate of himself and his " mission AS The Trfb-
unc said when the exhibition opened, 1t was I'M
fortunate for VercIt chagn that his coming was de-
crred until Russia realism had been worn thread
bare bur some Of the faithful have labored zeaousy
TO revamp the old culoges. and perhaps Mr. Howelis
may consider himself called upon to return to the trte
theme.
Perhaps lack OF familiarity with our language, as
we'll an abundant selfconfdcnce, had something 10
do with Verestchagn's unfortunate remarks concerning
American art The Tribune has received various lei
tiers Of protest. which show that many people have
taken the matter seriously fathers took the
structures Of Mrs. Trollope of Dickens. But the
present generation has had larger experience with
foreign critics. and Sir Leppel Griffin and his fellows
are seen to be simply amusing. When NereStchagin
undertook TO review American art after stay OF SIX
weeks in this country he throw more light upon h-
self than upon his subject. There was nothing new
in his address, and since he lacked the knowiedge
necessary for specific applications for the making Oh
exceptions and for Judgment Of the present as com
pared with the past, his comments, even when partly
true we're rendered valucless. His Vienna experience
seemed to Indicate that he not averse 10 pubic
controversy in connection with his exhibition. III
would have been worth while 10 call attention 10
the New-Yorb exhibition in this way, even II Nerest-
more consequence II Verestchaglns attitude toward
American artists savors Of professional dscourtesy'
so much the worse for the Russian American paint
cr are not injured and there is reason for bring
ing shame and confusion upon fault finders by the
quality of their work
The exhibition of the Stebbins collection at the
American Art Galleries will be opened on January
90. A sample number of the fine edition OF the
catalogue, which is shown at the galleries. appears to
fulfil the promises of the publishers The cover Is OF
white vellum with lettering in gold and coors, ana
the pages of the folio broader than those OF the
Stewart and Morgan catalogues The text Is upon
heavy handmade paper with most generous margins
In addition to the twenty -four signed etchings upon
India paper and the process plates printed
on Japan paper. the biographical are accompanied by
forty etched vgnete portraits Of artists The fronts
niece is Mr. Dietman's carefully wrought etching
after Bouguereaus " Love or Riches" Mr.. Gihords
etching after Troyon may be called adequate inter-
pretation although something more might be asked
In the way of color and textures Mr.. C. Y. Turner
furnishes translation of Messener's crisp clean-cu
work which fails to convey the character of the
original Mr. Harper and tho printer have transiated
Zamacois In a fashion at least effective" and Mr.
Parrish has admirably preserved the light and color
~ Rico,s Granada courtyard Mr.. Dietmans etching
after schreyer Mr. Mcrcer's rendering of Gerome, Mr.
Parrisis cleverly caught reproduction OF DE Neuv,ile
and Mr. Harpers spanish Diligence Station an apt
Interpretation of Vibert Mr.. Hamiltons Gerome. and
various examples of Gerome and stephen Ferris may
be cited among the etchings. The process plates Ill
their part Satisfactorily and the vignete portraits OF
fhe artists represented add TO the conemporaneous
human interest, of the catalogue. The eching which
are signed, are printed upon India paper, ana the
process plates upon Japan paper This is described
as the finest catalogue Of paintings yet published In
this country and think the claim will be generally
considered well founded.
1t IS probable that there will be more gifts to the
Museum before the season Closes and 1t Is much to
be desired that the gifts should supply actual wants
The Metropolitan Museum today Is very different
affair from the Museum of SIX or eight years ago.
There will be attempt TO found another general
ar. museum in this city and the Metropolitan Museum
will naturally draw itself all manner OF objects, al
though IL can now afford to reject curlostics. It's
needs have been summarized by Mr.. Marquand' VINO
said We want for instance, department of carvings
I'm wood and exhibitions Of the best work In iron,
conner. brass silver and gold We need department
~ textile fabrics That would be particularly useful,
because the women of our country are no longer
satisfied 10 wear calicoes-they want the exquisite
hrocsdes and velvets the manufacture of which was
the pride OF France during the time of Louis NV.
We wish TO see IL artisans cannot be educated up
TO tho best work of the foreign artists We WISH a
| donor,mcnt of pottery-European and Amercan-od
and new brought down to the present time We need
a department Of engraving. with me museum thus
equipped It will have great educational WORK before
| tp Another need which should be emphasized Is a
we'll chosen comprehensive collection of Braun photo
| crapbs A few thousand dollars would equip the
Museum admirably. Here is an opportunity for gift
| far moro useful than ordinary paintings curios.
Messrs Knoedlcr & Co. exhibit an admirably painted
renre by Carl Mari. picture OF an Interior with
mother and child in the shadow sitting near table
which bears cups and saucers and other material fol
clever stll-life painting. One of Mr.. Weeks
brilliant studies in India. "The Raiah's Hunting
Partyp is shown together with paintings by Messrs
| Roggs Uoeber and Van Boskcrck Mr. Boggs ha
made another picture OF the harbor OF Honieur,
study in gray deity relieved by reds, and Mr. Hoebe
| has painted the soft browns yeLows and grays o
| salt marshes lust after sunset. One OF Rco'
| SPARKLING Venetian has been added to tn,
| pictures in this gallery.