New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-04
PAINTINGS At THE ATHLETIC CLUB.
N EXHIBITION OF AMERICAN ART.

The Athletic Clubs annual exhibition of American
paintings has become valued feature Of our art
season. Indeed, we might go further and say that
no other exhibition presents such clean, succuet
demonstration Of the merit OF American art Theo
have becn admirable American exhibitions at The
Union League Club, and the Lotos Club has done mucs
In the same direction, but at the Athletic Club he
iudlcous policy Of qualify rather than numbers, la
practically controlled the selections. Tho resuls
have been small but slngularly impressive exhni
lions. The collection shown TO the friends Of u.
club YESTERDAY contains only sixty-two paintings
including twelve which wero painted more than
twenty years ago, and the result Is Harmonious
presentation Of good art, even though few excsp
lions might be noted. The exhibition. implies much
labor and the constant exercise OF discnminaisn
but these efforts have been admirably successful
lhe collection seems advance upon It's precs
cessors and It should do even more to develop AZ 10
telIgent appreciation of our native art IL is COL
lection like this, chosen with regard 10 merit not
numbers, which should represent American art n
tho Paris Exposition.
Some Of our younger artists have seemed To h
unaware Of the existence OF any American painter
before the Paris and Munich invasion All rzt
went before has been to them das
axe unworthy OF consideration For one reason Or
another historical exhibitions have appeared b
impossible in this city, although historical Portrait
TIRE has been illustrated In Philadelphia But this
exhibition does something toward extending popular
acquaintance with earlier art, and correcting mis-
approximations. Baker, Gray, Mount, Kenseu and
Leutze are represented in small paintings. and then
are early examples OF huntington Homer, Church,
johnson, la Fargo and Yedder Those 'who seek 10
divide our brief art history into periods begin
ond stage with the foundation Of the Academy Of Dc
sign, and name Weir, Cole, Doughty and Dursnd q
the chief figures, while I1man, In New-Yorki and
Harding, in Boston, were the leading portrait paint
ers. Mr. Huntington was a pupil Of Inman az well
Morse, and Gray painted for time In Mr. Hunt
ington's studio Elliott and Baker were thus con-
temporares, and at the same time Mount was hes-
tatng between his Long Island farm and the painting
of genres. Thus these pictures represent both the
earlier and later years Of second period and con-
meet with the beginnings OF native art. The
earlier italian influences represented In the COZ
orng OF Grays study for The Origin OF the Arner[
can Flag" rich little p.ctuIe finer In quality than
the larger work Bakers study Of head called
Resignation is another and more refined example
of mellow, harmonious color and thoughtful design
This is followed by second illustration Of the ten
dency OF the time toward ideap expression. To-
day flesh painting or a costume involving clever
color scheme serves pictures raison detrc, but
Baker, like huntington endeayored to appeal 10 the
understanding Thus IN the pictures OF both artists
we find Jealous effort to express the idea OF Re-
ignadons In one case, Meditation IN the othei
Moreover Mr. Huntington's dellcately painted figuu
exhibits much charm Of color. Mounts little genre,
a reluctant farmers boy forced TO turn gnndstone.
is naive execution but something is TO be said for the
genuine homeliness of the subject. There is small
Head of Dsnton" by Leutze, theatrical but ysor
ous and better color than the artists large histoh
cal works. and there Is a surprisingly forciblo sun
set at Sea- by Kensett MIR. winslow Homers sunny
Side OF Life In Camp" group Of negro teaHsters
basking in the sunshine, is picture thoroughly racy
of the soil5 quality which appreciated at ths
~ u % Nart a
In the Forest by Mr. Church, and Sir. yedders early
Le Mistral," painted at Rome under special inhu
ence The superb Delaware Valley painted by
George Inness in 1868, Is the centre Of the group
In breadth of design truthful rendering OF form and
fine tonay, this noble landscape leaves little TO DO
desired.
The Delaware vaslcy5 may be compared with
~The Mllpond,s picture fresh from the artists
studio. This is an admirable example OF the loosely
painted soft studies Of fresh relieved by vivid
color which the artist has shown of recent years
Fifeweeds glow here and there IN the green fors-
ground. On the left Is tree with the rich hucs OF
autumn, IN the middle distance lake with boat
aud beyond is vaporous foliage. Some exceptions
might be taken substance and texture and to tbs
exactness of design but the sumptuousness Of the
effect viii not be questioned Again. DIR. Inness
shows Us the harvest touching the surface Of
pool with silvery light which intensines the shadows
Of the trees. Perhaps 1t is unfair to call Messn
Clark and Dalngerfeld disciples of Illness, but the
resemblance wiz not pass unnotccd. Nevertheless
both artists show pictures of evident merit, the tomef
vigorous sunset, the latter landscape varied With
sunlight and worried out with care for form as well
for tOaality. Next comes large painting Of
misty gray forest scene By Mr.. wysnt, with . land
vember Afternoon picture Of much delicate beauty
Perhaps Mr. Martin may be said 10 share the honors
Ta S Eeos 81 s opsd SSR ua
ing of water and shy. MI aurphy's unusually Wig.
landscape called Changing Naples Mr.. Appietor
brown Is represented BY landscape dscked out With
a charming though possibly coying picture. Mr.
Eitz shows better feeling for tone In his Loading
large landscape although design, coloring and man
ner of expression must Inevitably suggest Daubimy
Among the figure paintings Is whistler's clever ~
tie girl In black, which invites comparison with Mr.
ChaSe's watercolor Mr.. Abbey is represented BY
aptiy expressive In the action Of the figures; Mr.
M9ellers Confidential picture OF unusual SIZE
brcathlsssly to the disclosures of companion This
is capital piece of realization, showing gain IN
freedom of execution, although the brush work might
be looseH the textures ruer the details less abored
and the eSloring less dry and faded But ms PIC.
yet unfinished Mr.. Mowbrays. gorgeous Oriental
fantasy The Calenders,7 still lacks completeness
o of' h e ars e pe mr. r'sng large sSoo
study, The Coppersmith," shows feeling for color
very dtercnt but mellower expression in color
In George Fuller's little study, shearng the Donkey
an engaging picture, uesplte tne naive drawing.
Trego shows a straightforward, workmanllke paint
Ing OF cayaryman and There Is rich Florontine
Laundry by Mr. Shrlsw Mr. wores exhibits
Lantern Decorator which Is gain In quality, and
much might be said OF Mr. wnslow Homer's vigorous
water-colors, Watching the Tempest and The
Peril OF the Sea- with its definite and vrile
rendering of the figure These good examples
OF an artist whose personality Is always felt behind
his work Mr. J. W. Alexander's strong marina
study, Mr. +. II. Clark's promising SHUTDOWN MI.
Flwslps Breezy Days Mr. HarrisoH's MARINE
Mr. r. C. Joness Novel Bower,' Mr. Bolton yoness
truthful beach scene and pictures by Messrs. Lippip-
colt and symlngton are Included Ia TINS admirable
collection The chairman OF the art COMMITTEES IS
MP Thomas B Clarke and the other members arc
Messrs f. @. Ray, Otto Sarony and Il. III. Halsted