New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-14
THE JNIONLEAGUE EXHIBITION
AMERICAN FIGURE PAINTINGS.


month BY a collection of American figure paintings
Tho remarkable collection of Myrina and Tanaga fig
,rtnes and Greek vases, which month ago,
los been replaced by exhibition of Persian and
indian ceramic and metal work. The latter eXh-
b,tion is obviously Of less dignity and absolute
worth than its predecessor but the objects displayed
are excellent examples OF a genuine decorative in
.tnct expressed in work characterized by subtey III
Unite patience, manual adroitncss, tact in the
treatment of luXuTiant Ornamcntaton, and, IN inc
case of many examples Of the ceramic art by Inc ap
nrecation Of color There has been no attempt TO
Illustrate the history of American figure painting anu
on the whole this is probably the wiser plan although
the comparisons possible al the Athletic CluO cNhiDi
ton "a year ago certainly instructive IL VIII
be seen that the present collection lacks the even
ness Of quality which characterized the exhibition OF
last month"; and, indeed, it may he questioned "hc'her
some Of the pictures. Hike those hanging between inc
paintings by Messrs Shraw and Gaul' are OF value
as demonstrations of a vital art. Nevertheless there
will be no question regarding the vitality OF the three
paintings shown by Mr. Winslow Homer. or the worth
Of genuine American genre eXempIhed in Mr..
Eastman Johnson's "Cranbery Harvest or the value
Of the serious Of color shown In the paintings OF
Mr. Lafarge and Mr.. Ryder, or the power OF adrolt
execution shown in Mr.. Chases Hide and Seek" or
the extreme clevcrness Of Mr. Salgents "pein air
painting, or the tact with WHICH mr. AHeh apPIcS
similar theories.
The three pictures shown by Mr.. Homer were
painted some years since The title of the
central picture in the smaller room is
"Hark, the Lark" but title is hardly
needed to explain the listening attitude of the three
English daughters of the sea who have paused in
descending the hill with their reels and nets TO
listen to the songbird soaring aloft The figures are
full length but in other respects they are practically
identical with the figures In d" Voice from the CHS
Nevertheless the surroundings altogether different
This picture painted, we believe IN so2, ana IL
was first exhibited at the ROYAL Academy IT pre-
ceded the wcknown watercoor but the latter is not
an exact replica on either side Of this admirable
work is picture of outdoor life. painted with
genuine love of the theme. The Guide Is painting
Of youth and of action and counselllns wisdom
We may please ourselves by imagining that in these
pictures the artist has typ.Ecd the pioneer spirt
which has gained our country for Vet the pict-
ure in reality painting OF two Adirondack guides
one stalwart young man. his fun chest and swell
ing muscles indicated beneath the bright rcd'hanneI
thirt, stands looking ahead, Willie the
elder seems to point the way. The second figure
hushy Of beard. stopping little beneath his load but
keen.eyed and active will be recognized by somo
lovers Of the Adirondack woods as Old Phelps the
djscoverer Of Mt. Marcy. The two men stand upon
hilltop knee deep in grass and Towering weeds and
ferns which have anticipated the color' Of autumn
In the distance. across the valley. blue mountain
rises behind the white vaporS tie light clouds floating
half way down the side. These are painted 100
briliancy of the foreground might be moderated but
the splendid realism of the figures their suggested
significance and the truthful character Of the scene ae
qualities so valuable that would gladly accept them
in place of painting which might be purely painter
like The other outdoor study, the " Night IN the
Woods" is equally sincere. but less pictorial II Is
scene which some % Us know fun we'll The guides
have built rough lean to- protecting the beG oi
fragrant evergreen bou-hs and open toward the crack
ling campfire. supper has been eaten the story
telling time nearly over and one figure l. stretched
luxuriously on the bouGhs, fee to the blaze VINE an
other sits like an Indian beside the fire Dry WOOD
is scarce and the green logs the fire crackle ana
plutter and smoke While the moss on the logs rises
as il burns in long sinUous fameit7 Ike niue N'.E
yerpents. Beyond the glare OF Tie camp "'c inc
forest interior IS black, Opaque and lmpeheIaoie' A
bese effects are true, every observant camper ouI
can testify and it +, not surprising to learn that the
artist painted this actual scene at night by the hth
of lantern used for "jackius' deer
Mr. 1obpson's Cranberry Harvest with its typical
6eures and broad stretch OK landscape lalTY
SPARKLING in the light, cause, renewed regret mat
nortra,ture rather than American genre claims most
Of the artists time and energy. There are those WHO
Ike best to think Of Mr.. Johnson as the Aneal sue
cessor Of Mount and certainly better painter
Tbe nctures Of Mr.. Homer and Mr.. Johnson were
painted some years since, like the picius by Mt La
Tarre and Mr.. Neddcr, hut we think that al VII
be welcomed. Mr. La Fargo, fine feeling j. SHOWN j"
the "Nisu Of Nicodemus to Chfl'I P'"'H'A VI %
DIGNITY and richness OF color which more Than atone
7'' - -. Old corvcn1ioral.lcd elects
i9r ueN,!et u."N TI hv ~ .tudv Of The nude. Nh
TINS Is a'.onpaiyu ~ iit,Il art,t j. represented
NcoutI' L: A.. 10, Mind an impressive picture.
tE ING Id'Ill', i,,, Irt eUtirrly harmonious in
d'pch1'HJ upon 80" ~
inc suudueu .Voi'. ~, cr, ba- beon sitting al tho
IL i Gear u,1t ~ NJ 'y'nrc.,,nus Of on door
feet OF Claude Monet Dut NJ '!iP - ,d',.idu..IiI,
Ucht and air bear the mark Of M, own molNluu"nN
Both pictures are Iu'liiU"' nc tor tIc
aGdaClUu, but there VIII pre- q" p'~.'i .i,,., 81, r
Young hdy in white with the sunhgh' llr
Ing through the branches ana hv,"'i'E
her dress, as she STANDS bv 'o ,,a",,
IN ynch tho fS WHCE rSy claimed for the
tAa-e5iHlcu; - III" md ioet H., he other study.
rendering OF graN>ea ahG n"f' III, ~. a. cha. .t. "a,
out the colorng seems "a i,'ig , ,.r ~ me dead