New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-27
PICTURES BY SAMUEL GOTHAM

Mr. Coinan has exhibited no oil paintings for several
v.ar, and tho collection shown ut the Avery Gallery
h therefore peculiarly interesting These pictures arc
the work Of On AcsdemeiAn Of nearly thirty years
standing. but II should be unnecessary 70 say that
they do not represent purely academic influences. II
was color that was Mr.. COmans point OF departure
from Q school which always regarded color a. an
Inferior means Of preston. Nevertheless Mr. C0mxn
has never sacrificed In design and truth Of form
IN color and may In this collection that his
method embraces the often excessive painstakins OF
the older painters. OF late years Mr.. Colmsn has
painted few pictures. but he has evidently worked most
eonxcisntlously upon the few which he has had In
hand. in one Of the larger pictures, Of Duprc Ike
subject plain with trees and In others. the fct
h forced upon US that the artist has gone over ard
over his canvas that he has painted In and painted
put. and revoked his picture with the best ~
Intentions. but with the inevitable result @
Q loss Of freshness and purity. Hero ana III
other pictures there Is loss Of atmospheric quality
III imperfect realization Of textures. ono OF 'i'
trc her landscapes Is the study Of sraygreen Slope
Newport Apple Orchard" seen In subdued hSnI
We have noted the painting Of zsndam windmllls a.
Of tho richer landscapes. and We NAV sda INC
study OF cliffs at Etretxt WHILE the painting oi 'ai'
fornA sycamOres Is an admirable example u ''ousS
full tree drawing MIR. Colman's preference ior oius
IL feature OF his work and his employment Oh use
color has had charming results. a. IN inc huio
symphony truthful in atmospheric effect aud fine In
quality. Iu this picture. as In another Admirable
color study 30 81 IL will be noticed that the artists
feeling for color has not rendered him Indifferent 20
form.
The morn important paintings OF this collection
repre.cnt striking phases VI Western scenery. Mr.
tnlm.n has becn fortunate enough visit the beauti
full PUGET sound country and like al Visitors nc mas
brought back . vivid memory OK snowcappo MI
r.c.m. Ie ha, painted this magnificent mountain
A. .ome Of us have seen It from tho waters OF tho
SOUND in the early morning light. The mobile water
shows gray and blue tones, with warmer note mere
and there In the reflections The view Of the mountain
exhibits two great ridges. one OF which separates the
puvallup glaciers. II would be interesting u dc
termnc the actual height indicated In this picture
but without dwelling upon this point 1t may be said
that the work. especially the painting OF the wafer
has q pictorial value. Mr. Co!man has attempted
task which las resulted In many failures. and II Is
Impossible, perhaps, that pictures Oh sucn .uoIec;'
,h1ud not leave some sense OF disappointment
Nevertheless. Mr.. Coman ha, not made The common
mistake Of Obtruding the colossal In nature dirrcy
upon tho lie has not been fillv successful
81 suggesting tho dignity Of Thu, subject and MS
nainirr ike quality but he hs, certainly given w.
pictnre instead II a typographical statement tn,
painting j. s''ep1 Sn CS y s' ere the noun
:ans are again placed IN tho BACKGROUND inWalo
which Abe eve travels stretch Of plains divided
by a river and varied here aud there by buttcs. !.
NAV bc said that views Ike this sufcr from wa'
81 concentrated interest: but TINS p,tire shows some
delicate use Of color Icrr. In Other pictures. Ns
4, an impression Of Q heavy lahorcd linpssto ana
texture nonotonous thronehon' ihee are Two WA YER
(olmans Long Island landscape AZ tho Academy. and
there ans a few pastel. aud etching. In the pasel'
and some Of hi, effects remarkably iclicatc ana
beautiful. His etchnes. on tie other land prove
mi. ability o. make Just DISTINCTIONS between mediums
Is . Characteristic Of 10 little worth