New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-14
THE UNIONLEAGUE EXHIBITION
OLD AND MODERN MASTERS AND ORIENTAL
JADES

JADES.
The paintings shown at the Union League Club
illustrate the art OF the old Flemish and Dutch genrs
painters, a modified form Of French classicism, the
grace OF great English school Of portraiture and
genre. and the romantic movement, the recognition
OF rustic genre, and Of its subsequent phases
naturaEistc landscape, the elimination Of miniature
genre. and modefn military subjects In France and
some aspects OF American landscape painting. II
will be seen that the collection covers wider field
than usual and this Is TO be welcomed since We are
n need OF really liberal education. Mr.. schaus lends
portrait OF Teniers the younger by himself picture
mellow I'm color, realistic porraturc, comparatively
refined in execution. and altogether delightful
worn OF a merit which Is not dependent upon the
signanre There IS also excellent portrait OF
the Rev John Livingston, which Is ascribed to
Franz Halls. and as a contrast VIC have one Of Tia
sly bbulous faces which Van Ostade and others Of
his group painted with so hearty relish. Prom
this illustration Of intense naturaism the visitor may
turn TO the elegance OF Lawrence The portrait Of
the Daughters OF G. b. Calnady,' Is lent by Mr.
c. p. Huntington, whose collecting has been done
In catholic spirit and sometimes with most fortunate
results This portrait group which is called Natures
although It mus, be Acknowledged that artce Is by no
means absent, may be taken as an adequate ex
ample OF Lavrence's grace and elegance
within certain limits and his power OF
vivid expression. The studied attempt at childish
aressness is perfectly apparent and yet this con-
sclous arrangement is not displeasing. wm
common enough in the artists school, II was taken
Ip in the "Keepsakes7 and Annuals' and II has
endured even to our time particularly In England
But Lawrence had the distinction of certain STYLE
even though his style by 10 means wholly in.
dlvduaL Even II he owed much to Others and Il
his own art was far below the art Of Reynolds he
has left portraits which Will always be valued for
their grace refinement and cooring which Is at
least supericialy charming. OF these qualities the
NatIrcs IS an admirable example, and perhaps IL
may be said TO represent Lawrence at his best Like
the Master Lambton,' which mezzotinted by
Cousins this painting has been frequently repro
duced. and many amateurs are acquainted with the
composition The reproductions show the tender
solIcitude OF the older child, the nfanie abandon
OF the younger and the cevery studied disarangemens
Of hair ard draper!cs, but the paint
ing at the Union League Club ex-
hibts charming colorins which remains fresh and I'M
impaired. Neither coloring. drawing nor brush-work
shows the virillty Of a great MASTER but II may be
said that the execution Is not unbefttng the subject
and the painting is cerainly net to be dismissed IS
simply "prcttided" piece Of work II is fortunate
that 50 worthy an example OF the artist has been
secured for an American collection
The same collection contributes the best example
Of Prudhon which we have had in this country. Ths
may not mean much, since our collecting has been
usually iimed to the romanticists and naturalist,
but Il may be said that the AndrOmache' picture
which represents the artist well. The influence OF the
school of David is shown subject in the composition
dependent primarily upon line, and in modihed IN
sistancc upon classical profles. The artists own per-
sonay Is exhibited in the comparative suavity OF out
lines the sofness and delicacy of the hesh'
tho mellow and even rich AMI positive cooring' ana
the refined treatment of light and shade. IL might
be said that the picture suggests the palhtefS deot
10 CoregglO we'll his obligation 70 the french
classic school, but in any the picture Is worthy
example Of the artists personality. and 1t Is an ex'
tlemely interesting study Tho osly discordant note
is due 20 the large vase with its gittcrine surfaces in
the upper righthand corner, which does not seem &c
belong to the picture.
Among the modern pictures are DelacroX's ma
" Columbus example of unusually selfcontained
execution and careful dellneation, and small study
decorative composition. The Government of the
Queen which is beautiful illustration Of the artists
free expression in color We have discussed both
pictures recently, and may therefore pass on 70
note the presence of Mlet, large sketch The sOwer
which IS lent by Mr. W. 9. whitney. II this picture
had been finished. it would probably have been
replica of the Vanderbilt Sower.' As it is. tex
hibts the freedom and grandeur Of line Mlllets
Spinner Is shown again, and there admirable
examples Of MISSIONER. " The Lost Came" lent by
Mr.. Huntington. and " A Musician lent by Mr.. j. VI.
FlShe. II popularity were the Only TEST or
art the first place might be given to one of Vbert5
clever illustrations in color another satire upon priest
hood The title of the picture IS AmOroso,' and the
theme IS the delight Of redrobed cardinal and
weilfed priests in love set TO planOfcre music. The
artist has made the most of the OPP
pOrtunty for suggestiveness, and his clever
ness in expression will attract attention though
it IS cleveness meanly applied Another popular
picture which hangs the opposite side of the gallery
Lii An
pageantry. The subject is the old Venetian custom
celebrating the marriage of young patricans before The
D0gc on the day of ST. Mary's Festival The is I'd
altar OF ST. Mares, where multitude OF splenddy
costumed figures make up picture too dazzling for
the comparatively close inspection necessary in this
gallery The fine Daubisny Midsummer-Edge OF the
Pond' two examples OF Corot, sunny wood interior.
and the rich Sun-Worshlppers' by Dlaz, an I'm
portant marine by Dupre, and a landscape. a strong
evening landscape by Rousseau. Dupre's Old MILL
and Troyon's Going to Market represent the work
of the of 1890" In addition, have Laurenss
Clemence Isaure.7 the figure rendered with much
refinement, facing window through which the light
streams down upon the floor; Isabeys Armor OF the
Ancestors good example of Jacquets figure work.
The Hungarian Woman a minor example OF Puvis
dc Chavannes's thoughtful rehabilitation OF CLASSIC
forms and his austere use OF color, and pictures W
Jacomn, Van Marcke and schreyer Leroe's Morn
ing,7 misty gray green landscape. with Two nave
figures beside a river and reiroofed houses on the
shore beyond, Is picture which will suggest Ca'n'
and yet It is quite able TO stand by itself as an example
OF the sympathetic" landscape of the day. The com'
painted by Aime- MOro whose large " Bullhsht na'
been shown I'm this city. IS rendering OF intense az
ton but there IS OF largeneSs and personal io'
Of design and of atmosphere. Within the last lev
wears we have seen several examples of J. VI. swans
paintings of lions i'm the desert or mountains az ~F
light and the picture " Pursued Will be found ~
expressive addition TO the number. There Is h'a.
texture or detail. The landscape is generahzed' an
even the foreground noticeably the water, Is ihs"
auate but the artist certainly succeeds in conve!I
distinct idea Of the character and special action
the beasts which he paints, and his shadowy Os'
grounds are never mimpreSsve. Bonvin's hou's
Ivi,es illustrates the work Of an artist who has seem
TO be descended from the old Dutchmen. put IA, -