The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-04

Of the portrait Of two children shown last rear.
| The large portraits signed By Miss Gil and Mr.
| Bell are neither interesting nor very good; Mr..
| McEwen's girl In white standing By q piano
| tho. 1871 IL more attractive, and there IL con-
siderable charm In Mr. Fowler's brisk render
ing OF young girl In black (No. 84L Mr.. Cofin
supplements his nne landscapes By serious
work in portraiture mo. Az and other good
portraits are sent By Mrs. Whitman. Mr.. Rice,
Mr. Loeb. and Miss Brooks.
Mr.. Kenyon Cox 10, as usual, the chief con-
tributor Of idealistio work with the figure. In
his "Ecloguo" mo 49) tho four foreground
figures. nude and half-draped. are we'll
grouped. and tho landscape, with Its single dis
tant figure, 10 ohsrminRly composed and
treated. But there is q lack Of grace. perhaps.
In certain portions OF the figures, and certainly
q lack Of taste In the arrangement Of the
draperies OF one and In the choice for another
OF a striped garment, which has an oddly mod
ern and unitarian look. 1t Is n serious and
capable production. but It lacks the COM
plote success and the charm that we find In
Diana the Huntress" mo. 81. which Is de-
lightiully spontaneous In sentiment and per-
haps the best nude figure that Mr.. Cox has yet
shown. fresh and attractive In color. beautifully
drawn and modelled. and satisfactory
in character to those who can put con-
ed type out OF their minds. Apretty and graceful
piece OF work. but much moro conventional In
color. type, and feeling, and much less COM
pletely treated. Ia MIR. Fits nude woman by o
stream called Reflection" mo. 10Y. Mr.. Den
man sends a dainty little idyl In " Summer /"
mo Gil. with its half-draped woman in the
foreground and q group OF bathers beyond.
Tho best OF Mr.. Lows contributions is tho
Portrait mo. 49,, where a graceful girl,
according to the world-old story. draws her
lovers profile on the wall. Mr.. Shirlaws
Psyche mo. 1851. is pretty but unvital and
conventional. indeed. compared with such
vire canvas as Mr.. Cox's DIANA" though It
looks almost modelled and alive contrasted
with the washy. expressional figures In Mr.. T.
L. Buffers Youth mo. 31L
We may pass from idealietio to modern real
istic figure painting with Mr.. Watrous's Morn
ing Lark no 194L perhaps the best genre he
has yet produced: a well-painted and we'll
characterized figure Of an old man In dressing
gown and slippers singing. greatly to his per-
sonal satisfaction. Mr.. Aliens g. At the Piano"
tNo. II. with its strong candle-light effect, and
broad. almost rude treatment; Mr. Weir's at
tractive little figure OF q young woman in black
with book mo. 1917: and figure subjects by
Mr.. Hassam, Mr. Wiles. Mr. Isham, Mr.. Curran,
Mr.. J. G. Brown. and Mr.. Hale all deserve at
tention. And the collection includes at least
three charming pictures OF roses by Mr.. Weir.
Mr.. Thayer, and Miss Beach, and q delightfully."-
colored dish Of "Gillihowers by Mr.. Foster.
1t is pleasant to be able to say that one OF the
most remarkable and beautiful works OF the
year Is from sculptor's hand This is Mr..
Frenchs bust Of handsome. spirited young
woman mo. S6l. We have already said that
with one or two exceptions our sculptors fail
to give their work an air OF distinction. and
that this air Is essential in sculpture while,
perhaps. only very desirable in painting. But
Mr.. French is one Of these exceptions. The
noble refinement Of this portrait Ia quite as re-
markable as it's beautiful modelling and its
vital individuality. Guided by a taste less
sure the connection OF bust and pedestal by
means Of an arrangement Of drapery and flow
ers. might easily have resulted in 100000 triv-
iality: but. as Mr.. French has managed. 1t
only increases the charm without detractinR
from the strength OF his conception. Fortu-
nately. the bust stands 80 that the lovely lines
of the back Of the head can be as we'll
appreciated as the grace OF the pose when seen
from the front Its interest is increased.
finally. by delicate experimenting with color
on the flesh and hair. Next to this in interest,
certainly comes Mr.. Martins charming head
Of q little girl tNo. 1851 Mr.. Elwell sends .
fairly good study for bust of Mr. Morton, and
Mr.. Kemp some clever studies Of animals. while
Mr.. Hartley is also adequately represented.