New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-21
FRENCH And ENGLISH WATER-COLORS

Messrs Boussod, Vaadon & Co. exhibit collections Of
watercolors by Madame Madeleine Lcmare and Mr.John
A. Fraser which may be taken I'm general way rep
resentativc of French and English water color work.
In most of these paintings Madame Lcmarc has been
constrained by the illustrators necessity OF realizing
and repeating certain types and depicting them under
fixed conditions. Those who remember Madame
Lemaire's illustrations Of The Able Constantn will
have clear idea of the qualities shown in the present
collection Of paintings Illustrating Paul Herveu's
novel, Frt." This novel is offered to portray
ing Partisan life in 1890, with its elegance, its pleas
its refnements, its balls its yiIlegiaures it,
amourettes." 1t need not be said that the artist
knows her Paris and she has preserved the
rather the very flavor Of the life. This is not the
life of the Faub0urg st. German, with allowances
for the Iaubourg's loss Of so much which dis
tnctive. But 1t is the fashionable, or the semi.
fashionable life of {" the world where they amuse
Themselves" and all Madame Lcmaires figures have
style and " go' and general air OF knowngness Her
characters have life and certain vividness of action
qualities which own fguredrawings often lack.
The lady at evening reception, standing cup in
hand, entertaining two men, is good example Of style
and characteristic action There are two figures
seated upon fallen column whose intent, absorbed
expression Is most cleyerly indicated. The
ton, Of course, is finished TO a dangerous degree.
Usually Madame Lemare is remarkably correct in her
drughtsmanship and her appreciation Of color within
women trained in Chapln's studio have done moro
admirable work than this artist and Louise Athena,
but would be unfair for public to judge the artist
by these Illustrations Let grant all their merits.
They are true to the life, spirited and clever, and,
despite the extreme elaboration which does sug.
gcst the fashion plate, they adequate their pur-
pose. But it will be that the artist has worked
with greater freedom in pictures like the full length
study of a woman in darlS-red dress whose
shades Of color and texture are beautifully
expressed There is large study Of head which
contains some charming passages despite certain APP
parent phases Of artfcality. Other paintings Illus
tratc the extreme cley, Of the artist in dealing
with the figure, while thu "meter, which Americans
have come 10 regard her speciality, flower painting.
IS abundantly illustrated. In fact, the flowers Of
Madeleine Lcmarc fairly forced upon us. All the
Illustrative drawings encrced with flowers. There
may be a subtle fitness in wrcathng a blard-room
scene with flowers. but the result Of this wholesale
Juggling In Of flowers Is tawdry and cheapcning. The
flowers themselves are drawn with uncommon and
intelligence, and painted with usually discriminating
appreciation Of color and effect 1t possible TO find
fault, but the work is enjoyable and the exhibition
worth seeing.
Mr.. Fraser takes from the heated atmosphere Of
Paris TO the shady lanes and the hophcds of Kent.
When the artist last came to he introduced us to
the wild scenery along the Canadian Pacific, and now
he deals with CENTER themes, with red
rooted cottages and yellow roads bordered
by green hedges. with gardens. placid
streams and harvest fields. sometimes the colors
forced notably the blues and green's and the picture
becomes raw and cold A. rule. tho artist insists
upon local colors more than any Of his brethren on
this side the water, and he seeis to less for
harmony Of coors for the moduatiors possible by
means Of light and shade. and for fine sympathetS
tOnaity. But he Is Thoughtful and intelligent de-
,,fncr and his pictures command respec while some
Ike No 80 broad, strong study. and 40. 80. which,
shows an attempt at tone, deserve more consideration
than give. Mr. Fraser has preserved tho
character of his subjects. and he oilers very inter-
esting collection Of pictures, not merely memoranda,
since his work is essentially complete.