New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-23
rro lxrsaEsTTNG ExHIBI7Yoxa
rA1Nrrsos BY rIcxNELL AND IHrRAIrr

TWO INTERESTING ExHIBITToXa
PAINTINGS BIZ PIcKNELL AND LHERNITrE
The thirteen paintings by Mr, W. L. Picnell which
arc exhibited by Mr.. g. p Avery, IT,, represent se,
cent phases OF the painters art There has been no
attempt at complete Illustration Of his career but tina
group Of pictures probably Che best presentation Of
Mr. Psoknels work which have had Like many
other figure painters and like several other pupils
OF Gcrome Mr. PckneIl took up landscape, and mado
himself known as strong painter in the first years
Of the Society Of American Artists when admission 70
It's exhibition had Significance than later Most
Of tho paintings now exhibited represent summer
scenes on the New-Englsnd coast, painted when tho
sun was bringing out all the latent color OF rocks
and sand and sea Mr.. Pcknel belongs to the snew
school, the school Of air ana Hight ana
all these pictures indicate outdoor WORK
and an attempt to realize the key OF
nature.' But he Is very little OF an M
pressionisr In his drawing There Is no enort a
expression by areas or patches Of color with vague
feeling for FORM but on the contrary Mr. Pcknel ID
careful linear draughtsmsn, adherent to the truth
of the facts before him. within reasonable limits and
a conscientious workman, making up his composfuon
with care, and carefully carrying to completion the
various parts Sometimes this care Is excessive a.
ia tho finish" of the ugly house and chimney DO
hind the eniorescent apple trees But again the
artist paints much moro loosely and freely. as In tho
Seaside Pasture and april Sunshine The former.
n green hillside beneath blue and white SKY, Nus
trates tendency toward dry, hard manner whcn ~
particularly harmful to the shy. Mr.. Pekneh hss
always shown something Of this weakness, togother
with absence Of textures, and his pictures h2vo
occasionally been monotonously metallic But the ao-
sence of texture the landscape and Skies which, arc
fat hard. dry. and which refuse to 80 back, are ODD
jectlons sometimes apparent sometimes OF the slight
est consequence as II the painter had realized his chief
failing and was endeayoring TO overcome It. Yet
IS strange to find him adding to an already top heavy
stretch of sky as in the large shore scene. NO. 4,
ard other examples where the sky has been pieced
out There Is only one conspicuous figure nshefS
man in blue shirt and shining olskins, who SOULS
boat across q sea whtencd by the strong light This
Is followed by broad simple beach scene WHO sands
blue water a yellow boat little green marsh grass
all in strong light, BY study Of marshes green
pasture with trees colored by the coming OF spring.
fine Anusauam study Of water With green and
yellow reflections, glimpse Of the blue sea between
the dazzling white sand and deep green grass OF mo
dunes and vivid painting of the coors OF sky shors
and foliage in April sunshine.
THIS little group Of paintings win provide much
enjoyment for many artists, and for those amateurs
who enjoy work done In a frank and Independents
suir1t By a painter who has an unusual appreciation
Of outdoor color together with command Of form
which many Of the plen air brethren lack 1t is I'M
possible not wish for softer more fluent
for less loading Of paint scrumbing and scrspins
now and then, aud for an apter dinerentanon Oh
textures but these pictures are worth attention and
they often deserve cordial admiration on account OF
the artists simplicity and usual TACT and breadth In
comoosnton his thoroughnes and command Of color.
which is te be emphasized since Is every ono Knows
n 4 far easter to secure harmony In low tones tnan
In pain pitched In tho high key which Mr. Pckneh
has employed upon the whole. with striking success
Moasrs Bsussod, ysladon g. Co. exhibit Ia
Fsnaison,s Tho Haymaking' very largo painting oy
Leon Lhermitte who has earned reputation a. one
of tho strongest Of the younger French school ~"
reputation Is undoubtedly deserved. and II may %
ADDED that Lhermitte stands first in the use OF black
and wsiso ansag the painters Of his class fsw 81
his small paintings have como s. rs ana MS nrse
Vintage Festival win be remembered By visitors 10
the museum. Lhermitte Is still called one Oh mo :
younger school although he has reached ms asn(oH
forty-fve. and many years have passed since no
gained his first honors at tho salon. he has been
classed with Bastep Lepage rather nom his subjects
and certain naturaiIsm that nom an exact similarity
OF methods Lhermitte is conspicuous member OF tho
largo company of painters of rustic genre who nave
come forward since Millct showed the way, out
Lhermtte differs from Ml'et as he differs nom Breton.
He Is stronger and surer draughtsman than Breton
hut with less elegance Of design than Breton soetmss
shows, and less Of appreciation OF stmospherfo
effects Lhermitte has but an imperfect feeling for
color ms the esden grays deafness and slight variety
Of the Haymaking" indicate. But the drawing ans
modelling OF the figures arrest attention. The hay
makers are sitting upon grassy slope. An old man,
his brown sinewy bare to tho elbows, bis scantty
thatched head abruptly presented ut tho Observer
"a engaged in sharpening one OF the broad scythes
OF tho country. younger couple lounge upon the
grass and a child IS beside them The realism OK
tho figures is remarkable, and refreshing after the
protttned peasants furnished in such numbers oy
artists like Ridgway Knight. This Is not beautiful
picture as regards color atmospheric effect but he
|
ard truthful action are qualities which have been
and will DO priced in every age Of art. Iife many
81 his brethren Lherrnit.c finds It necessary to en-
ploy large canvases. Perhaps for painter OF so
largo a style, this Is excusahe, but there VIII %
feeling that the work might have been rs ene'oVs
| II done on smaller scale.
M,.srs Roussod. yaladon d Co have also received
ona q, Kn,us,s moro simportaup works, Inc
ohrsteningD painted in 1850. composition OF ai'seA
figures