New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-27
MINOR EXHIBITIONS.

PICTURES BY MR. PICENFLL AND MR. NOES
Just two years ago Mr.. w. L. Picknel held a special
exhibition OF his work in NewYork. Since then
lie has shown picture here occasionally but
now he appears once more at the Avery gallery with
a group OF paintings representing his talent very
comprehenslvelv. There fifteen picture, IN the
present exhibition Like that OF January, 1890 how
ever, 1t contains only one figure subject pure and
simple. Mr.. Picknell is pre- eminently painter OF
landscapes and marines. lie studied for a time under
GerOme, but that could not make him a master Of
the figure The large picture entitled :" a Harmony.
which is his latest bid for popularity outside his
toned field, study Of lady in black seated piano.
does not In any way serve TO modify the impression
received from a Quiet Hour" the earlier exiM
ton. 10 is not merely that the technique IS faulty
that the left hand OF the musician Is badly drawn and
that the Swallowed side of the in which she sits
is not as transparent it ought to be. 1t is that the
picture while it balances these defects with merits
such the brilliant color In the wall facing the spec
taor is wholly without charm. For that it is
sary to turn TO Mr.. Hcknes other works wherein he
reveals himself sympathetic observer
a skilful craftsman, and above all,
interesting individuality. The truth OF this may
be demonstrated with peculiar apness by reference
TO No. g. Return of the Torrhers." This IS pic-
ure OF fishermen returning home in the gray dawn
after having fished through the night by the light
OF pine knots fastened in iron baskets TO their boats
Two are rowing the single dOry, which IS brought
well into the foreground, the advance guard OF a
little notilla which is half visible in the distance
Here have the figure decidedly In evidence. yet
1T obvious that the artist has expended his best
efforts upon the treatment OF the silvery nppeS with
their dark shadows and OF the strong reflection
under the weatherbeaten boat, and upon the delicate
graduation OF the atmosphere, from the cIeafhess III
which the boat and It's are seen to the mist
envelopng their followers. The two men are painted
with clever realism; they form the centre OF inc
composition But they are subordinate In artistic sig
nfcance to the natural phenomena all about them
to the effects of light and shade OF color ana Oh
atmosphere, recorded with Intelligence, force ana
style There is subtle feeling In this picture quar-
ity which Mr.. Pckncl obtains elsewhere now ana
then-n No. =, "Veiled sunshine for example Dn'
ordinarily he works I'm sharp clear hght' ana III
presses one with the outward, aggressive aspects Oh
nature rather than with her elusive indeinabc char
acteristics The special value OF his impression Is
that il is true and fresh. His style i syhthetc ana
rapid it gives the effect of the moment but IL never
dcgenerates iNo hasty and arbitrary susgestlVehe>N'
1t is always conscientious, fact when MNuc9 no'
only veraclty but solidity. Mr.. Pichnens pct
80 - an tborough pieccs Of work. The
scenery he has found among the uplandS' roads
and WATERSHEDS OF Onnisquam is extremely simple ana
he paints it with straightforwardness ana slhphIN'
AZ times the very commonplace chiiac'er Oh H''
material contribute, 10 a result When l. hoU cN
presslv pctOral-cither No. L., sunday Morning or
tut in No ). a Patch 10 the sea NO. H. y
Glmpse of the sea-" No. IL. Late Afternoon Dotl
subject and treatment combine TO produce most
artistic and picturesque effect. These pictures VIII
remain on exhibition until February for the enjoy
ment OF amateurs who appreciate painting that Is an
affected, personal aud sound
The best of the fifty five pictures by Mr.. PRANK
Moss exhibited informally the salmagund club No.
40 West Twenty .second-st are those which are least
uretcntou, the small sketches done along The shore
in Now-E England aud Long Island. and Illustrating ~
in No. % Looking Toward Wcsthamp0n'; NO j.
- The Old Boat Coast Of Maine; and No. IL, NOUN
of Nonsuch River, Maine" method that l. ih'T'
markable but Mt least careful rs 10 perspective ana
tasteful to color. Among the life size figure studies
there is a pretty portrait Of girl I'm blue, NO. 49,
Madeleine and example OF draughtsmanshlp. No
40 study Of Head for Daughter OF Jairus at
Cathedral in philadelphia, that Is surprisingly strong
But neither these No. 30 Prayer Il large
picture OF a necling monk that asserts i-clf Is The
important piece IN the COLLECTION. will dciain tie
visitor long from the numerous landscapes in The