New-York tribune., 1890-04-28
PAINTINGS By NR. La FARCE.

Mr. John La Fargo follows Messrs. Abbey and Par.
sons at the gallery of Relchard & Co. Of the ninety
six numbers In Mr.. La Farges catalogue only thirty
one represent his work in Japan. but many Of
these sketches will claim the attention Of the visitor
II accept the common standard If Importance
we may begin with the Fishing with COrmorants at
Night Glfee.7 but the quantness OF the subject is
more remarkable than the felicity Of the coloring.
After this comparatively elaborate study II
japanese musicians in ceremonial costume shown
against a yellow screen. Here in the case of
certain portraits the clear definition and exact treat
ment at variance with the artists usual manner.
For example. the black and white heads Of priests
and the portrait Of young GIRL all effective In their
way are Photographic rather than personal. Like
most travellers in Japan, Mr.. La Fargo has been at
tracted by the temples and tombs and we find various
studies OF the temple Of Iyeyasu, the sacred fon ana
related themes Nikko. There are some Charming
passages OF color in these sudies and In the sketches
OF the waterfall OF Uramo No Taxi but 1t VIII oe fes
that the artist has not fully developed his themes
When he has occupied himself with simpler and more
direct effects as in the waercolor studies Of the blue
Pacific in fog and in sunlight. his results are I'M
mediatcly Impressive, and. although thcy are he'he'
nimable nor extraordinary. they are entircy ae-
ghthil Strangely enough. Mr. La Fargo seeme 70
have paid little attention to the flowers which pay
so important part in the life OF Japan, as Mr. "ores
showed in his interesting paintings. few figure
studies few studies Of temples, and two sketches
Of waterfalls which deserve large scale OF treatment
are all the notes Of travel which Mr. La Farge onefs
us, with the exception of the entertaining hotoS
offered to larger audience in The Century Magazine
The originals Of Of the Illustrations accompanying
the articles may be seen in this exhibition.
The sixty-nve oils and watercolors shown with
tho Japanese sketches include comparatively little
fresh work. There is crayon drawing dated 1891.
a pleasant Louisiana landscape dated 1850, pastel
after Millet dated 1852. and other studies from tue
familiar Christ and Ncodemus' down, wmeh ara
known 10 most amateurs. There Is current dis
position 10 lay excessive stress upon mere noVely
in art and perhaps Mr.. La Fargo hopes 70 overcome
this tendency II is certain that there are qualities
in some az these studies which custom cannot sale'
Take for example the tender study OF wafer my
No. l. and the richer and fuller ske'ch OF IVY III
sun light No. .. MIR. La Farec's iilles are k"o"h
10 every one. but. like the beautiful study OF apple
blossoms and the wild roses, they are welcomo
I ,isitors In these shall sketches the artist has
been moro fortunate than in his large decorative
n.nel a study OF japanese motives.-peacock peomes
and waterfalls treated with japanese fatness' on'
not with Characteristic refinement OF Color l"c
finest of the large paintings is the Child Playing 0"
Guitar study for the Mckim Appe'on PIC
moriaL Here the figure is refined ana 'ru'h'u' !"
action and the cooring. pale pink and green' Is
effective. despite Jhe sssertiveness OF inc
| baclcround The figure OF Christ, which IS disni'
fled and grateful color is far superior to the Neo
dsrus a strange figure exhibiting most aggressive
u.e Of yellow The Isaiah. withcrlns, garlsh nsnre'
4, AS unlike the stately prophet of the old Testament
..,u,,,, N All reasonable ideas a. il IS unlike the
Wo.es nf Michael Angelo. lut many OF the sinalcf
e,r. studies the successful realization OF nne
- which makes the distraction Of Mr.. La farsc
bc't work The Angel of tho ResurIec ion aha
- >hepheri Listening to the song OF the slFyns "In
he recognized easily superior to nos' OF thsF CON con
,9niors in the character ot the action ana the lua
v OF coloEins. There + group oi stuae, ,h, q,
%.ty and All saints, cathedral In Albany some %
,,,a .fldlc. are delightful examples or freSI puIe
e,,,r and even of expressive action, but with very
g exception, the faces almost a. realistic as ns
calendars of Mr. NoWhriyS Arabian Nights lhctv
's st,dic, for ceiling decoration, and windows, whcn
ssurc NJ Of the artists Inheritance OF some OF ne
Did school traditions of color, wnlle uey lllus,tno
occasional failure, IN color and frequent inpcr'y
tons I'm drau- -ht>manshp since n'u.n @ is III IN ,his
Fargrs most >erou, church work Is a''fslpc y" & s'
civ IL will interest amateur, 10 compaFc HIS o"
nlctrd work and hi, preliminary studieS'