New-York tribune., 1891-10-16
ART NOTES
ME-. BREXyAN,s wATER-CoLoRs:

Judging Mr.. Alfred Brennan from his pen work.
with which the public has been made familiar BY
various periodicals the past SIX years
he is an assiduous cultvator OF whmscality as fine
art. Yesterday at the Keppel Gallery he made his
first appearance watercolOrst and offered no valid
reason why the same judgment should not be passed
upon him. lie sets at defiance most Of the laws Of
art drawing curiousy frequently showing objects in
more curious perspective, and laying on his colors
with an absolute Indifference 10 the preservation OF
te.r individual in ncgrty lie carries Of all It's uncon
ventionaltv by the possession II boundless chlc.
decorative result is usually his aim and that ne
obtains at all hazards. To the very term "water-
colorts must be given more elastic meaning than Il
commonly conveys II it l. to be applied 10 him, Tor
I'm many OF his pictures the pen coOperates WIN the
brush and in others the scale Of color i, increased IN
compass by the employment Of gold dust, smoke ana
similar cxpcdieats. The remarkable thing is that IN
spite Of the signs Of manufacture in the pictures they
are often spontaneous in feeling The notes oi oolor
most used are fresh and brilliant and they strike
effective chords. 40. II, sicsta,7 cne OF few
nude studies is fair illustration Of MI
prennan's method. In this the long, reclining body
shows pure white against the grass, while Just above
a vivid blue sky adds 70 the strength Of the effect.
Plainly the figure Is posed, yet the picture Is bright
and attractive
Mr. Brennan is nothing Il not iancfnl. and he brings
something Of the same spirit which Is In No. l''
picture Ike 80. 10, An Expert shot IN "hch
number Of modcru ladies and gentlemen engaged Ii
rice practice take Oh atmosphere Of unIcdIlty.
They are not 50 much poorly drawn a. perver'ey
drawn Mr. Brenuan's cleyerness appears u run away
with him. lie has the ability 10 sketch people as they
are Int tie cut Of a beard. the full curve OF
girls Ups the peculiar lines Of attitude or tAS
y,ushn, ,wecn Of gown attract hin, and he ehpii-
zc them Z, such an extent that while his pctura BE-
c,ne amusing a. the French would say. they become
tppse,ible. In landscape there is naturally less
,mptation 10 ~ of on arbitrary lines. and here Mr..
rre1nau's work 4, more restful to tn eye No. 70
a 4 Midday Impression is as simple rs one oi
uolusal's ARRANGEMENTS in blue and gray. In NO l.
Amid Antumn Tints.7 there IS good deal Of the
artit,s customary artificial glitter. but not enough
or4osly 10 " ken the outdoor charm Cf the picture
Tho voIue # gold dust technical medium j.
demonstrated particularly well In 40. .. 90. Heron
Rev, where the subjects auburn hair Is really
bcauthed by the added touch.
10 estimate Of Mr. brennan would be complete
,ttt,ut a reference 10 his sympathetic treatment Of
h,,d,,u Tle has Hiking for their round curly heads
d c,ubbv checks and j. seldom more natural ana
.c,.ssfrI than in sketches Ike No. Al, "I1gl. or
~, q9 =. 4 Necklace from Japan lie j. less hapP.
-, b. nlrtures of older models. Iho 'ndH ppilIaie
itotchoi M Carmencita and sara Eernhtfct anu uic
-. .. Mr. H." are very stin Yet eNoI IN uf-,e
cbtS and originality provoke admlihuOh. Iis sV%
ts NJ Rrennan's surest resource. lie may hot a.
ways please, but lie never falls to mteres1 au BUT