The sun., 1890-04-23
Some P,ctures by Mr.. La Fargo.

A very interesting collection Of pictures
and studies in oil. water color and black and
white Is on exhibition mt the gallery OF the
Mossrs. Reichard on the Fifth avenue. Thirty
| one examples are studies and sketches made
in Japan. while sxtv-five represent the artists
| productions In paths with which we have long
| been familiar.
Not the most conspicuous but almost the
loveliest among those last are about a dozen
little single figures In water color. studies for
the large mural painting in the Church OF the
Ascension. Their freshness. vigor and har-
mony OF color are scarcely moro remark
able than the tender eXpIessiveness OF the
heads and this latter merit a very rare one In
modern painting OF religious subjects. appears
again in such works as the stately Angel Of
the Resurrection "(No. 64A the sketch for two
heads that were painted in Trinity Church.
Boston NO. l9) and the large Child Playing
on Guitar " NO 55l which has been repro
duced in glass. In contrast to these but de-
lghtful In its own way, is the little Shepherd
Listening to the Song of the Siren" where the
attitudes Of the two figures are exQuisltely con-
ceved.
different phase OF Mr.. La FarRe's color
istic power and OF his tender sentiment which.
1t is we'll TO insist. is very far from sentimental
ity or effeminatenessl is shown in a number OF
small landscape studies, among which should
be especially noted Brenton'S Cove" NO. So,
with its gray rocks and water. the Boat
House Rocks " (No. 81. and the On tho Tache,
Louisiana" mo. 5Sl. with its vivid and luscious
green's gem in composition. color. and the
suggestion OF character is tho tiny circular
water color Of the Christ Child Among the
Doctors no. 24. as clear and brilliant as u
medallion Of some thirteenth century French
gazier There is scarcely u study OF them all
which does not merit special praise but none
are more delightful than those paintings OF
flowers in which Mr. La Fargo seems to show
himself the sole rossessor OF the secret how
to portray at once the body ard the soul Of
natures work. Tho most important. in the
customary sense OF the word. is the - Wild
Roses" no. 81. where a close cluster OF rosy
blossoms and deen green leaves Is painted In
delicate white Chinese bowl against dark
back ground. Form. color. and substance are
all given with perfect precision. yet there Is
none OF the hardness AID materiality one usu-
ally secs when flowers have been carefully
portrayed. In this picture they are as fragile
and poetic "a they are in nature. Still more |
poetic. however are the single water lilies.
especially No 10; while nothing could be more |
charming technically and pictorla!ly. than the |
Pink Hollyhock in Sunlight" Noo4
Some OF the Japanese pictures have already |
been seen at various exhibitions. as tho |
with Cormorants at Night" tNo. 21). Others !
will seem familiar to the visitor as having re-
Gently been reproduced In the Crnt,ry Afaoa-
zine Some OF these last while beautifully OK
ecuted. have. as regards their conception, n
slnguisrly commonplace and Photographic
look when oontrasted with the majority of tho
things about them
But all are interesting as records Of objects
which, to true artists eye. seemed OF ospe-
cial interest In that paradise OF artists and pure
pictorial charm. In idea and rendering alike
could hardly be greater than in certain others
OF this Japanese series. The two which show
the Pacific. now dimly gray beneath q fog and
now gorgeously blue In full sunshine mos %
and pa. should be especially noticed; Also.the
" Sacred Font. Nikko mo. 16l. with its beaui-
ful minGlinG Of green's and RrRyS and No. 81.
" Waterfall OF UrRmo No Taxi" where We have
a delicious harmony OF greens. whites. and
grays. and the most admirable OF expression OF the
movement and quality OF falling water. That
painting on the largest scale and OF the most
masculine sort is well within Mr.. La FarGes
power. there 10 abundant evidence In the
churches and homes OF this city. yet nothing
shows the individuality and vitality OF his
talent moro clearly than works like this
' Waterfall" with Its fairylike delicacy and
poetic charm. The various studies IN color
and black and white OF Japanese heads show
tho same ability to seize and render fine dis
tinctions OF character that are veRled by the
ideaistic heads already mentioned.
One Girls Success ON the Stage.
From ne Philadelphia Telegraph.