The record-union., 1891-09-17
THE ART GALLERY.
Review of Some of the Leading Ex
hibitS

Review of Some of the Leading Ex-
hibitS.
Some thoughtless criticism has been in
dulged in by declaring that the present
art display is below a fair standard, and
is made notable by a large collection OF
''wretched daubs." That this is unjust
and inconsiderate will be seen by brief
analysis. The artists exhibiting are, for
most part, Oscar Kunath, Thomas Hill,
William Keith, Chris. Jorgensen, f. D.
Yelland, Frank Heath, Norton Bush, NJ.
Strauss, E. Marriott and Hugo Fisher. These
are artists of acknowledged merit and
long good standing. Several OF them have
been medalists at previous fairs, and at
the Mechanics Institute Fair, and some
Of them have been favored by admission
of their works to the Partisan Salon
They do not paint daubs Some of them
do not paint at all times equally well.
No workman or artist at all times pro-
duces the best of which is capable But
in this exhibition they have not placed
any work justifying the harsh language
used.
With two or three exceptions all other
exhibitors are in the amateur or student
class, and do not exhibit in any other re-
lation to art. Their work, then, is to be
considered as the work of those who do
sionals. There have been years when
more brilliant displays have been made.
perhaps, and some great works by for
eign artists introduced, but this year it is
nevertheless a good exhibition by the
home artists, while the amateurs have
made large exhibit, and in the main a
good one. There are some poor pictures
in the gallery; there always is, at every
exhibition by the State Agricultural So
ciety, because there is no restraint exer-
oised. 1t is free for all" no entry fee
is charged, and whoever pleases may
send in his or her pictures, however poor.
That is the policy of the Directory, which
does not claim to be conducting fine art
salon. AS to its wisdom that is another
question entirely.
Among prominent exhibits to enlist
attention may be profitably given, in ad-
dition, and which in our first review we
could no more than mention, is No. So,
by Nellie Warren, an amateur. 1t is one
OF the best pieces by a student ever shown
IN the gallery. and it was scarcely more
than hung up before an art connoisseur
claimed 1t and paid the price, and marked
II sold We call attention to the exquisite
art Of the stimulation of dust upon the
book, the vase and candlestick; the adj
mirable representation of dried leaves
and all the nicely of detail that is work ed
out.
Rupert Schmid of San Francisco is the
chief exhibitor in modelling and statuary.
His display is not great, nor is it essen
TALLY poor. His California; is a strong
thing, bold and vigorous, but none of his
work shown comes abreast with that of
Happersburger, who exhibited two years
and one year ago.
Adam Barber has a rather strong ex-
ample of wood carving for architectural
use-a dragon standing in the ceuter of
the gallery: There are defects in the con-
ception and execution, but there are ele-
ments of merit in it promising better
things in future work.
Mrs. ID. w. Gelwicks, in Nos. IL, II and
%, has some good work in flowers and
fruit. II is creditable to the lady's taste
and skill.
No. 4S, Taking the Pilot by Henry
Bacon, is strong. 1t is full of life, spir-
tied in execution, and altogether a work
ofprominence. 1taddresses itself strongly
to the popular taste for good figure work
and action.
No. 50, Trafalgar Square by Night"
is an adroit piece of work by J. A. Har-
rington, and treats contesting shadows
by lights of varying power with much
No. 1l9, Grand Canyon of the Colo
RADIO Near Flagstaff" is an excel
lent example of the style of Thomas
Hill, who stands in the front rank among
American artists.
NO. bz, by Narlot, is study OF game
that must excite the artistic admiration
of everyone. 1t is work of first merit
No. 55, Heath's ''Donner Lake." is one
of the best water effects and landscape
views he has ever sent from his easel. It
is work that adds to the growing repu-
tation of Heath's capacity.
No. 81, by Strauss, is fruit piece
grapes. exquisitely painted. The trans
1ucency Of the grapes is simulated with
admirable skill.
No. 6S. by Marriott, "Outdoors in the
Country" is a handsome canvas. There
are no forced colors; it is a quiet view,
full of nature and true to the study.
The portrait of Mrs. Raker, by Miss
Blanch of the Sacramento School of De-
sign, is an amateur work of special ex
cellence and interest and deserves the
praise it receives, which is plentiful.
A picture of Grape Clusters," by Miss
Ida Frick of San Diego and of the Sacra-
mento School of Design, is one of the
best amateur fruit pieces ever shown In the
gallery. 1t came in late and is not cata-
logued, but will be found in the extreme
northeast corner upon the north wall.
This young lady and Miss BIanch were