New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-20
PTCHARD BUTLETS PAINTINGS.
A COLLECTION OF AMERICAN ART.

A COLLECTION OF AMERICAN AK.
The paintings collected by Mr. Richard bu'ier arc
exhibited at the Fifth Avenue Art galleries Wno'o
,hev will he sold at auction this and trlday
evenings There are few "addltons from o'"0i
sources to quote the conventional calaloSu" Pi""'
but the examples of Verhas Conrad Lous'anl'''' an"
others which have been contributed by dealers arc
USUALLY of minor consequence, and the ohiei 'oiVS'
30 +bis exbihition is due to the American paintings
collected nv Mr. Butler. For many years the COT
Iector has proved his appreciation OF American "' y
deeds not by words He has continued the 'fauionS
of Luman Reed and the few other early ooHcc'orS'
and his interest in native art has been even more
conspicuous since he has cared little either lor oiu
masters or the school Of Dusseldorf. "" ar'a'
have known so many times Of discouragemcnt IN the
course of the years represented in this coecuoh u"V
its DISPERSAL should pass without an acknowleds-
mcnt OF the collectors sympathetic and heipiul ser
vices 70 an art which has often lacked just support
at home
several Of Mr. Butler's pictures have an interest
which may he fairly termed historical. There Is
large landscape by Doughty, and another by Dui'hu'
both pioneers American Landscape. There i one
of Mr.. Cropsey's English Landscapes ptiht'u Ocioo
the artist became the exponent Of the American
autumn There is a little figure painting by Mr..
shattuck who has been known as landscape painter
for these many years. More curious stl Is inc
sentimental Keepsake genre by Leutze who leu our
artists TO Dusseldorf in ISL and who Is vaguely re
meinbcrod by the amateurs OF lO-udH d9 HiS''''''
painter There a little Of sympathetic PuaiiS
nv Mr. J. g. Brown which antedates the bootblaeH
period Two of the st important sal OF paint hss oy
deceased American artists are recalled by inc plo'eS
of Kensett and s. Il. Clifford. There are no less
than twenty three pictures and studies by "ihou'
Including the familiar san Giorgo. Venice and there
are seven examples of Kensett There are eisht
PAINTINGS by George Inncs most OF them dating back
to the sixties. Few amateurs can tell Us much re-
garding Durrc and Rawstone, two American
painters Of past generation who are represented IN
this collection, but every one has some knowledge
Of Darley's black and white work, which is illustrated
here and there are many to whom the late Jerome
Thompson's picture Of Adirondack scene VIII nc
call the days when the painting of 1.-The GA oakeh
Bucket, was held to be masterpiece Of American
art. There are pictures of time later, vet al
ready invested with semi-historal interest
There are two examples of Mr.. Abbey's early work.
an effective study Of color in oils. ant water
color sketch wherein the action OF the figures -
happier than the color. There IS Mr. N0k's "Ac-
eused Of Witchcraf7 a picture much talked of at an
exhibition of some eight years ago. when no one
would have predicted practical retirement Dr the
artist George Fullcr's Girl leading Calf" and
Harry Chase's on the Battery are pictures which
deserve consideration for more reasons than one.
The comprehensive, elaborate style Of compassion
which was dear to the older school is illustrated in
Doughty's distant View of the Hudson RIVE
The trees on the right are balanced by irregular
in the middle distance. Thus the picture proper
the slopinc ground. water. the river and rising
country beyond, is carefully framed. The monoony
of texture was never different but it Is possible that
the colors were once clearer and more varied than
the present faded brown tones allow to believe.
There is careful drawing, which is not without r.
fnement and the painting shows certain appre-
ciatiyeness and ability, although we must confess
that the interest Of the picture is chiefly historical
II is less favorable example Of the associate oi
Cole and Durand than the "San Giorgo,' by "lNord'
which as we need hardly say is important ex-
annie of the artist. so far subject Is concerned
there are some who may prefer the artists treat
rent OF American Landscape. but CLIFFORD, like other
cosmopolitan painters was at home IN venice or III
Egypt. This picture, placid, polished mshy
wrought refined In execution, expressed Win carciui
regard to the grammar Of art, and Illustrating in
tellectual rather than emotional sympathy Win inc
theme is an admirable example Of the artists man
nef lie was primarily objective painter, con
corning himself with facts, rather than with Color
and brush work, for which the facts furnished
certain excuse. Even if his technique had been
that Of later and more accomplished school, IT IS
unlikely that his personal expression would have
been much more impressive We may well doubt
whether his was one Of the strongest personalities,
hut cannot doubt his sincerity and his thorough
ness, his love for his art and his command OF ex-
preston within certain limits. There are other
paintings, like the charming little Autumn Woods
which illustrate the pictorial quality Of Gifords art
This quality is less evident in the paintings Of
Kensctt, who was even more objective
IN his attitude, and less sympathetic IN
his coloring and feeling for atnO picre. His
pictures possess mild interest and have noted
study of seashOre rocks and No. III and or two
Others as unpictoral examples Of good choice Of
subject and truthful, apprccatve rendering OF form.
But il is difficult ~ realize the enthusiasm at the
Kenset sale in the presence Of these examples The
pantngs Of Mr. Inness bear the test Of time better
for they prove themselves the work Of artist Of
strong feeling attracted by color and by less obvious
effects in landscape and capable OF spirited rcaza-
ton of effect even though in the sixties Mr.. nncss
had not acquired full freedom OF manner. OF the
MANY examples in this collection. No Sc. rich freely
naiuted study OF Swallowed foreground lighted middle
distance soft, tendery expressed foliage and cloudy
sky seems 10 US the finest, taking IL throughout.
This was painted I'm 1904 gift " To my Friend, G.
W. Hills an inscription which increases the Interest
NJ the work No. l25 Is noteworthy attempt at
strong effect The artist has practically opposed his
Landscape and foliage directly 10 the brilliant sky, ana
the landscape lines, deeper by contrast are well ex-
messed while the drawing has not been slnrred In
some Of these pictures the artists love OIL strong color
has led him to paint sky quite out OF Key WIN inc
landscape: sky In fact, which fairly overTides ana
DESTROYS the rest Of the picture This may be seen III
No 1G No l47, and to some extent la NO. ID On
yle other hand, No. 100 is comparatively sehcon-
..tned with some excellent qualities. and No. 134
4. a renuneIy pictorial rendering of view
n aDDcars that Mr.. Eutcr's sympatiics Included
postan art and have landscape study by
william Hunt, simple arrangement III dnIi Color
harmonious but perhaps unreal. us companion IL