New-York tribune., 1890-03-30
ART NEWS AND COMMENTS.
THE WEEK IN ART CIRCLES.
NOTES OF THE EXHIBITIONS - NEW pIcruRn

IN THE GALLERIES-ART NEWS ABROAD.
The statement that the members Of the Ways ana
Means Committee have practically agreed t. place
works of art upon the free list has been received with
satisfaction by artists and Others interested in art In
this CITY, The conducted by Charles u.
Curtis after the 80 per cent duty was imposed
in 1883 showed that nearly all artists were opposed
to the duty. The artists have steadily maintained thao
this duty was injurious rather than helpful since it
restricted the opportunities for public education In art
and tended to lessen public interest. The duty has
not resulted in any practical advantages on the con-
trary falling OFF I'm the sales at the exhibitions FOL
lowed the imposition OF the duty The sales al tho
National Academy, which amounted to about SfrrS
in 1881 and $4,000 in 1882. fell to 100000 In
ss4 and with the exception Of 1897, the decline has
continued. At the Water Color society's exhibition
the sales fell from $32 900 in 1881 and $4,000 in
1882 to $4,000 in 1884, and since that time, with
the execution of 1885, the sales have never cxceeded
300 900. The moral argument in favor Of the Cd
mission of works of art is unanswerable
The spring exhibition OF American paintings -
the American art gallery will represent new de-
parture I'm exhibition making. Each artist ID D
select his own pictures, and to SEND as many as no
deems necessary for the proper presentation OF MS
art. special exhibition was proposed oy t"o
artists at these galleries, but as they could not I'LL
the rooms IL was naturally suggested that other
artists should Join with them. Others were invited
and the exhibition will contain about 2lo pictures
contributed by ten artists There has been no at
tempt to make the exhibition representative and
ii will be simply an adequate illustration OF the work
done by ten American painters chosen very much
by chance. These artists Messrs. F. d. Mlet'
W. NJ. Chase II. II. Poorc, r. C. Minor. c. NJ.
Dewing, c. ii. Eaton. F. X. NJ. Rchn. j. W. Champ
ney Frederic Remington and Carleton Virgins.
The purpose of this exhibition is as excellent
The special exhibitions Of individual artists arc a
most interesting feature Of the year.
end they furnish an opportunity Of judg-
ing the artists motives and resources which is not
given in the regular exhibitions where only two o.
three pictures shown. Each artist will be able
to state his in his own language There Will be
no Jury to interpose its decision between himself
and the public. lie will select the work by which he
wishes to be known and each group OF pictures VIII be
representative Every artist Will contribute from ten
TO thirty paintings, water colors, black and white
drawings and pastels II the exhibition proves 10 DO
successful other artists will be asked to contribute 70
similar exhibition next year. The exhibition VIII 90
opened a week from tomorrow, and it Will continue
until the close Of the There will, of course. DO
no Prize FUND.- exhibition.
As The Tribune announced fortnight since, Mr. =.
A. Brdgman Is 10 exhibit large collection OK MS
paintings and studies at the Fifth Avenue Art Gal
leries This exhibition, which will contain over 200
pictures, will be opened IN the latter part "l
this week 1t may be inferred ina, Alo
artist wishes to present the work zone snioo hi'
exhibition at the old American Art Gallery IN
iaa1 Ar that time several paintings lent by
their owners and the exhibition included the Funeral
Rites OF an Egy ptian Mummy" and other impor'
tant, results Of the artist Egyptian studies as well
as his studies Of life in Brittany ana Algeria mo
Circus Rider also shown again Ihis picluie'
which was in the salon Of 1870, now hangs In tho
gallery OF Messrs Knoedler & Co. Mr.. Bridgman
has sent many pictures to this country within tho
lat few years Whether these pictures have done
Justice 10 his recent art may be determined by tho
aid OF this exhibition.
! AT the gallery Of Messrs. Rcichard & Co. the ex.
hibton Of drawings by Mcssrs. Abbey 4 Parsons
will be followed by exhibition Of oil and watcr-color
paintings BY Mr.. John La Fargo. These pictures
have been lately shown in Boston. The collection
Will include Of Mr. La Farge's sketches In
| Japan.
Messrs. Knoedler & Co. exhibit several new paint
incs by American artists, among them a sunset by
Mr.. McCord, a classic figure by MIR. Mtllet, and
landscape by Mr. Virgins. The foreign paintings
recently hung in this gallery include examples Of
Clausen and Pelez. The former repre-
sents the school OF Bastien lie Page 10
usc phrase less familiar IN these days than few
years since. He has painted an old peasant who Is
aided by a boy in his task of setting out young
The figures are surrounded by young growth of
trees and beyond them open green and gray fields
rise gradually toward the horizon. The colorng Is
y,
and the execution coarse. There is the neglect OF
valus the attempt indicate the effect Of difused
outdoor light, and the lack Of concentration which
are familiar In pictures Of this school on the other
hand there IS effective realization Of character and
the picture certainly painted with much force The
large figure painting by Pelez is curious study Of q
white haired anacmc boy. street musician. who
stands In a doorway holding his violin and bow evil
IDENTIFY mindful Of the artists Injunction not 10
His pose, is we'll kept bu the result is the usual
loss OF animation and character For some tho
artist has chosen a most doeful model whose cooress
face. white hair anil whitish blue eyes have ghosfy
suggestveness The figure Is set against brown
door and gray wall. The oolorng is cold but the
execution shows much ceverness.
one of Monchablons pictures is also shown in this
gallery. Several of the artists paintings have been
received IN this city. but few none have been cx
hbited. Monchablon has been described as the man
who can paint ten miles of country" This description
will excite apprehension. 1t Is true that Monchahon
does paint -vaews.' Like Pokitnow. he is anxious
to prove tlNt there is long distance between the
observers ego and the horizon. and he is unwilling
that any part should be sulTcd. His pictures are
panoramic but they have interest which the usual
comprehensive artist seldom realizes. They arc
remarkable examples of command Of details. and Of
truthful expression Of distance. and In execution they
scape. In this Iicture i" La Binyeie,' The Heath
the eye travels along II little valley past purple
distant purple hills. The subject Is simple and
although the artist has nesec,ed none Of the details,
there is breadth OF eject which is not always
present In Mohcl ablon's work. The artist IS not
colorist and for this reason his pictures will never
hold the high rank which has been claimed for them.
They are laborious, truthful, microseoplcslly
exact transcripts Of French rural scenery.
Moreover. these pictures have atmosphere:
and light. They lack warmth OF color and unity OF
effect and the nigglcd execution would finally be-
come tlresome. But they clever and interesting
examples Of the fact recording class Of art. Mon
cabon's pictures first brought over about three
years ago IL has been sat that the artist under
contract to New York frn, and IL has also been
stated that American arateur- dealer who has
spent time In Paris had bought up many Of
MonchablOns works and consir ed them To this city
In the hope OF launching new favorite. But the
limitations Of the new discovery apparent.
In the March number of /" The Portfolio Mr. +. G.
stephens continues his enlogstic review Of the work
| IL Mr. Wilt Cran nd Mr. DnI.