New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-09
THE CHRONICLE OF ARTS
EXHIBITIONS AND OTHER TOPICS.

THE ALPHA DELTA PHI CLUB
NOTE ON JOHN CONSTABLE.
The picture is fairy started upon III
course, and there Is show going on In every gall
lery uptown. big little Yesterday at the Amer1-
Art Galleries there opened the exhibition
of works by six artists which has already been
referred to in The Tribune, the exhibition formed
by Robert V. V. Sewel Herbert A. oliver, A.
Brewster Sewe.l, Elihu VedGer. y. A; W. Hamilton
Gibson and George Agnew Reid. r. c. A. The
Autumn Academy. reviewed yesterday in The Trib-
une will be opened to the public tomorrow morn
ing. The Water Co.or Cub continues at the Fine
Arts Building, and all OF the minor shows an
nounced lately remain open for the week. The exhi-
bon of Mr.. Du Maur.er's "Triby' drawings 10
crowded every day and is apparently one OF the
most popular affairs OF Its kind ever arranged In
New-York 1t should be noted that this lasts for
only six days more. when 1t will be succeeded BY
pictures by George II. Bcushton
At the Grolier Club the Exhibition Committee has
placed on view most interesting collection OF etch.
ings and drawings by Whistler. which viii b
visible until the I'D The plates shown do not IL
lustrate completely this great artists work with the
needle but they extend from his earliest period
that which, although not his latest, is yet dis
tinguished by OF the characteristics he has
most recently developed In other words. the rep
resentaton ranges loosely from the coast survey
plate which bears Whist.ers first etched lines 10
some of his later Venetian productions The de-
velopment of his linear art may not be traceable In
all its details through the plates exhibited, but at
any rate the main elements In it may be appre-
hended- and especially that fundamental habit Of
workmanship which has from first to last con-
trol.ed his style The secret Of great etching is to
make each line paIptatng, se,Itient thing and to
keep it pure. Whistler has ever been master OF
simplicity a master OF brevIty, OF economy Each
touch has its significance. its profoundly eloquent
shara In fho n broad
at II is also beautiful in Itself. 1t is enchanting
study the work about the heads OF those children
who were among Whstler's earliest models. Neither
he in his latest work any OF his contemporaries
has ever surpassed these plates for consummate
delicacy and precision. 1t Is the pure linear charm
existing in the Little Annie" done far back In the
ffties which exists throughout Whistlers etched
work lie has from time time produced such
masterpieces OF tone THE Kitchen and The
Unsafe Tenement" early etckngs In which his
usual daintiness and fnesse are accompanied by
brilliant effects Of breadth. but in the main his most
characteristic mode OF expression has been through
line in its highest purity and integrity. The art
Of "Bibi Laouette.' of the famous "Bingsgate"
with its marvellous treatment of the masts the ART
OF his portraits OF Axenfeli, Riault and Joe" 10
the art OF Whistler In its most splendid phase.
Some time ago he adopted the almost feathery light
OF touch. the exqusitey tender and soft meth
cd Of handling which proclaimed so finely In
the "Fosco' and the portraits Of the Leyland girls.
and his most recent Plates give the impression or
a hand skimming the copper with perhaps more
speed and supersensveness than marx the nrst
etchngs in the series. The essential traits, how
ever. are the at both ends OF the work Like
every really great artist. Whistler has made each
one Of his etchings little more amazing and beau.
tful than the last without losing the peculiar
charm which disclosed his genius at the start.
The drawings in this exhibition are OF less account
than tho etchngs but they will be enjoyed. never
a. a,I
which they illustrate.
The Alpha Delta Phi Club which holds every vim
ter a pleasant little exhibition Of paintings has
upon each occasion with much good devoted
It's walls to the works of American artists. This
year 1t brings forward an admirable group OF ma
tive works some threescore in number. The COL
lection represents the older and younger men, James
NJ Hart. Edgar NJ. Ward. James ID. Smile Mr. May
nard and Mr.. Iafarge all sending typical works.
Mr. Lafarge's contribution is another Of his ex-
quisite Samoan studies in water color. paintings
that never fail to give intense enjoyment to the
lover Of fine color and mastery drawing The
young painters of the newer school are very much
in evidence. Especially conspicuous is Robert Blum
In four water-colors of japanese scenes. There 10
good draughtsmanshp In these. OF the swift subtle
sort and there is lovely tone and transparency.
When Mr.. Blum to Japan he took an enor-
nous stride IL the unfolding of his talent He was
always clever In his oriental designs he is more
than that. There are a few other accomplished
young figure painters present. Mr.. Bell. Mr.. Cur
ran Mr.. Wes. Miss Hart and Mr.. Hassam all
having examples Of their work shown but the
landscapists and sea painters come most agrees
sive.y the front. There some delightful bits by
Mr. Ochtman. Mr.. Tryon Mr. Murphy Mr. Robinson.
Mr.. Bolton Jones and Mr.. Platt. and two charm
ing revive memories Of the late Robert
Eicheberger. artist whose early death arouses
keen regret whenever a picture by him is encoun-
Mr. 4 haca aIc haa hrl
on exhibition. Idle Hours" by him. is one Of his
most successful essays In the direction first pointed
out by Fortuny. Bo.dni and their followers This
exhibition lasts until the evening OF the 18th The
ladies' reception takes place tomorrow afternoon
from until o'clock The show Is not a large one.
but It has been judicously arranged and will repay
examination.
A note IL due to the small collection OF landscapes
by A. c. Rowland ~ A.. accompanying the ''Tril-
by" drawings at the Avery gallery. Mr. Rowland
is careful and sympathetic observer. quick to
feel the sentiment in natures auieter more reposs-
full moods, and skilful in transferring 10 MS can.
vas such neutral tones she then He cult.
almost elegiac strain OF delicacy and SORT.
ness Even his sunset hues are handled with mod
Grafton In the picture entitled ION the Hoosic."
There Is refinement In his paintings. there Is vitality
and there is feeling for an agreeable minor chord
In color. The twelve landscapes at the Avery
gallery even in quality and leave, on the wnoie.
a gratifying impression
For landscape painters in America there is Q
fragment OF foreign which ought TO prove
deeply interesting. 1t is that the South kensing-
ton Museum now possesses a comprehensive and
well-arranged collection of works by John Consta.
BILE This English painter is being recognized more
and more as an invaluable source OF inspiration.
Historically his Importance has been generally ad-
mitted for many years. The influence he and
bennington had upon the French painters OF half
a century ago is we'll known. But just as the
Font bleau school completely efaced Constable
for a time by the magnitude and brliiancy Of its
works, so the student has followed tfN collecto.
and has confined himself TO more or less excus We
study OF Rousseau Corot. Daubigny and their fei-
lows AS a matter OF fact. there H. nothing In the
Louvre more rich in instruction for the modern
landscapist than the mass OF work given to South
Kensington by Constable's descendants. The gift
includes oils water colors and drawings. finished
pictures and studies. They specimens OF the
soundest naturasm the fidelity to nature which