New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-04
MANS ART AND WOMAN'S.
JAPANESE PICTURES By MIR. PARSONS AND
WORKS BY WOMEN FOR THE FAIR.

Japan has appealed 10 OF tho most noted
artists who have turned TO It for Inspiration as n
theme to be developed in eccentric variations as an
Instrument upon which virtuoso having gifts might
perform with brilliant effect. TO Mr. Whistler 1t has
appealed In this way. source OF harmonles
symphonies. arrangements. To Mr.. Alfred Parsons
who has identified bis art with English scenery
an art which deals prominently with It's familiar
truths. ttN domestic. everyday stdc-a side not q,
all devoid o! poetry. howcvcr-Japan has appealed
with The simple direct force 10 which he has been
accustomed at home. Yesterday cursory glance AZ
the hlnctytlrcc water oolors Of Japanese landscapes
and flowers which he has had hung FOR brief OK
hhition in the American Art Galleries cu first aid
last the Impression that hc had practiscd the p"rc>t
realism which has Yet been applied 20 the artistic
treatment o! thc land Of the cherry blossom
and the chrysan,Ecmum. Mr. Parsons does rot
throw the slightest doubt upon the vcracy
o, Mr.. Latargc. Mr.. Blum. Mr. Worcs or Mr. Mcnprs.
but while II 1. always apparent hat the first Of this
quartet + coorisi before anything else. the second
invcerate ccni ian and devO'ec q the picturesque.
and that the others strongly Decorative Il Is just
obvious that Mr.. Persons Is prcoccdpicd with
neither color effect. That h" Is most seriously con
ccrned with the broad appearance Of the life before
him. with the acualiics of the nature H. has chosen
10 depict. More than from any pictures II Japan
knowcXco png those OF Mr.. Lafargr and Mr.. East.
but making the exception With rcs"rvation-- Is pos
Sblc 10 get from these sens" of what everyday
quaint pacodas in No. Al OF this collection. tn"
Japan Of grassy shores anamr with the autumn lilies.
rs in No. 40. When artist has genuine ability and
character in Elm he turns defeat into triumph. ana
while Mr.. Parsons. whose style Is that Of the Engllsh
school, deliberate. very smooth. and failing In The
specific note Of the truest color painting ab,o-
lutte Spontarcity-N not mastery water colortst as
such. he Is painter OF such 'a.tr such dclcacy If
touch and most OF all. such perfect Simplify that
he has given his pictures not cnN truth, but beauty
ana an cth, Of tho Gan,inc. whcl persists In flower
blessed Il land Japan. Into NOR extended cX-
animation Of his exhibition viii rot enter at present.
hut will simply refer The reader - II
ms mo,r enjoyable AID Instructive de
mons'rliiom Of The artistic possildiic, lying
IN g.. rice fields shorn Of their and car
pcicd with plnkwced. I'm majestic Fn-iyama. now seen
for tho first time fact and not IL an "Acl," ior
colorslic schemes In the viSiarIa and lotl, aud plum
trees and Wild that MIR. Parsons has -kctchcd-
living in all these ihincS with especial richness when
their natlv, environment IS considered.
The water colors 10y Mr. Parsons occupy IN" uppcrmoa'
of the Art Associations galleries. In the Others there
are exhibited the work, made by women !"r the
chicago Fair and shown ip thi' CITY. I'm preliminary
way under the auspices of "rhc Bureau of Applied
Art, of the Board Of Women Manager, for Ill" state
of cw.Yn.k" Til. collection serves 10 Illustrate
,hc diversity Of woman'S work In decorative art In
New YORK; "a excellent average Of executive abilN'
ard = ouctua;nc standard Of that tcchnqu' hy which
(, meant something moro than mere facility q" laid 'h
tc.l.ni ne that impl perfect nni"r''alH'' 81
materials ard of the eli #, I" y" rr."ilf'd WIN
tlcm Touching the first OF Tho" que tons. II may
10, NOTED that aiilo1-n t.Ntii'- ni The most -iAc"
Their, a~r exhibits ~ de- orii"i china. iHrh' Won
hook illustrations book covers. arc it"cinr" drnWug'
,coth.r mctalwork. pictorial aid plastic arr anu
stained glass which last hy the way most '"tSN'"-
after the curtains. tapestries and "nhr'ld'r'd worn
con,,ally The textile, nearly all sho" me sill
with Tho Yccdlc-in many Instance th"N "T" 'N'''"'
o. very deli ai" taste. hni u j. III 'n'' y,
fla, some Of the .cyor~t lap,'S from Tie best ''N''
-, Tho collection I'm thc matter ~ technique ar" 40
ror.nf The Associated Arii'ts. VII" rr"Nld" r"N
Of the specimens. are usually ~ ca"h" ~ my Nv
om,ltlnus Int I'm some 81 their mo- br'""'l""'
lanes RE, i"r, ~ucl. IL" copy 81 on" 81 ''l''
f,moi, designs the treatment ~ Tie piece - 81" Wv
whole Inadequate. The" objects an" wv '"'"'
uctur,, will l. on exhibition for ten day