New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-30
THE SPRING ACADEMY.
A GOOD EXHIBITION on CONSERVATIVE
LINES


Artists and the galleries filled by that organiza-
ton are aglow with vivid lights The effect Is as
though the exhibitors had whenever they PLEASED.
given themselves all possible license as regards
novelty and experiment. Among the 100 pictures
shown at the Spring Academy, there are. per-
hans half a dozen of Il distinctly impressionistlc
1haiacter, a mere handful Of works by Messrs.
Robinson Twachtman and Weir. The rest combine
TO produce the tone of conservatism which has
always been most familiar within the Academic
walls There is absence of youthful, original
and invigorating work. The artists VINO are most
influential do not conform to conventional stand
ards But there is somehow a feeling OF moderation
in the air and even the most indvidualized men
represented fall into an agreeable harmony. The
exhibition is stimulating without being in any direc-
ton eccentric.
The cordial student of our exhibitions is always
Interested in meeting with limitations that the
faculty Of design Is at work. and at work worthy
themes. This interest is met by more than one
painter at the Academy. The first picture in the
catalogue Mrs. Lambs decoration called The
Christ Child" is thoughtfully elaborated COM
position sweet, perhaps. in color. and certainly
not very original in idea but still a serious per-
Torrance carried to most creditable completion.
Near it Is one OF Miss Macombers religious pieces.
a Madonna" with two attendant figures The ar
rangemcnt of the lines in this is accomplished
discreetly and spirit of the work is sincere and
elevated SIR. E. A. Bell turns to an inspiration
which recalls Maurice de Guerin. n writer with
whom he may may not. be acquainted Amid
the tangle OF primeval glade two centaurs are
locked n "A struggle A third. In whose
dimly visible form and features be discerned
the feminine cause Of the fight. watches with hair
flying in the wind. The conception Is strong ana IL
has been thrown upon the canvas with as mucn
taste and ingenuity vigor. Pictures of the same
fine and poetic intention not often seen in our
exhibitions either at the Academy elsewhere,
Gin
traces Of invention and fancy at other points in
the exhibition in Mr.. II. O. Walkers picture or
THE Boy and the Muse production Of almost
fragile delicacy and charm; in Miss Mitchils "Ha-
gar and Ishmael" work whose simple dignity Is
only marred by an eXaggeration OF the emaciated
condition Of the child. Ia the graceful Morning
Stars" Of Miss Dodson. and in the Dante or Mr..
Prelvitz this last an original illustration uncom-
monty clever in composition. by young painter
who claims increased respect every time his work
is brought forward. And all these pictures imply
in their balance and in their cearness familiarity
with the rules OF composition. Their ambition IS
obvious and commendable Their intrinsic merits
as examples OF technique are equally encouraging
Forfeiture engages the attention OF far fewer
artists here than at the exhibition OF the society,"
but among those few there are found TWO or tNree
panters Of abundant power-Mr. Isham. for In
stance who sends two charming portraits OF women
and others like Miss Belux and Mr.. Nlnton The
OF Boston, a work in which a close sympathy for
the idiosyncracies Of the sitter has been matched
by real mastery OF modelling In the execution
about the head and face. Miss Beaux continues 10
cultivate the flowing spontaneous manner whch
may remind the spectator OF Sargent, OCCASIONALLY
but is in the long very much her own. she mas
color sensltlveness the psychological clements III
her problem and sure. nervous hand What she
does is always entertaining. and her two portraits
OF women in this exhibition Nos. II and 26l' are
easily in the front rank OF the best things There ISL
nice tone and feeling in Miss IlalloweTs portrait,
of lady at 4 plano, No. 20. "A Singer ana Mr.'
Chases After the BALI Go. $3.50 bears close scru-
tiny vivacious bit OF technique. The Beautifully
harmonized color in Mr. George Buffers portrait
OF a lady No 2S3. does even than It's straight
forward treatment of form TO give II distinction
The title Of Mr. Abbott Thsyers contribution TO
the exhibition prec.udes its inclusion among inc
portraits. but there is no story. no arrangement
Of persCnages dramatic or otherwise in MS figure
prlate work in the transition from the portraits
to the subject pictures The seated woman POI POI
trayed Is placed beside row OF thin CLASSIC cor
umns. Beyond the sill on which her arm rests
there is caught glimpse OF blue sea Is npt pos
at all times careless Of his drawing. and seems 10
Gentre all his art in The face OF h mGa works n bS
the same artist, ugly passages OF modelling and
spirit remains There Is depth OF feeling III me ex-
preston. which he has here painted with searching
quite reaches MIR Thayers customary standard.
or the figure painters who remain to be discussed
Their good qualities are OF sort that do not
require such thin air TO generate or 10 be appre-
when we sicnaze as most admirable in the pictures
by Mr., Tarbell Nh Benson Mr. Smed.ey and M sar
which has the same technical attributes. belongs. in
point OF idea to The group Of imaglnaye dessn,
lights in this illustration OF negro superstition;
but he plays quite as effectively with the Weird
rafeCf Oh no IA a southern
types The great body OF work headed by Mr.; Tar,
is fuv summed up in that excessively clever paint
ing Take the little outdoor sketch. No Sl0 by MI.
Tangel, a new, man take Mr.: Herters two hsare
and warm color; take Mr.. Remngtons souvenir OF
Messrs, Wit. Keller Barse, Leigh. Carr and Fran
zen They have often slight human s s
Yard" but the attention IS fastened chiefly in con;
sidering these exhibits upon their brightness ana
Benson never more interesting than when they
are regarded as exemplars OF spirited Craftsmanship
Their manner OF disposing OF these details might
be probably commented upon at length. but we
stu growing and still affected by cruditles. Is at
once just and sufficient. Before parting with the
simple energy IN the full length Of s 81 BY
Nymph Echo. and the smooth. panstaking work.
manshp IN Mr., Dielman's large historical n com,
and Mary Wilder" Pictures by Mr.. Caliga, M.
Watrous, Mr. Moeller. Mr.. f.. l.. Henry and MISE
McChesney also require brief aiiusion
The more elaborate landscapes In the exhibition
are not tho best. The big Morning Catskl VAL
auctions. the Western landscape done on even
larger scale by Mr.. Picknell Is good. but not SO
good some things he has painted In the past ana
Mr.. Breevoorts large windy. Rainy Weather on
Heath" is commonplace. But there is no lack OF the
beautiful landscape art which is a never-fains
source Of delight at the Academy. Whether IN t ths
impress sionlstic sketch Of Niagara, No. Ss1 by MT;
Twachiman. the echo Of the Barbison seh 100
which Mr. Dalngerfied sends In the shape OF NO.
iOS Under Midday Skies a ravishns little fras.
ment Of tone color: whether In the gray lights ot
Mr.. Davis and Mr. Clifford. or the higher scale ot
Mr.. Chase and Mr.. Bogert the interpretatioh OF
here Is distinguished by marks or naiyianu az.
familiar regulations are pTesentn'hSsee, we has
named and others like Mr.. Horatio Walker twnoss
Narrower is a powerful work.. Mr. j; F. Mupny
Mr.. Bicknen and Mr. ShurtleH There IS PleasWs Mr.
sprnkllng Of the newer men, also. men like "a
Schilling Mr.. Pape. Mr.. Davies, Mr.. lngiis ~.
Mr. W. Clark The sculptors have not Sent SSS,t
thing TO the Academy There is no plastic ann'i.
at all. The pictorial entertainment Is amps ps ar.
collection which reflects much credit upon .ne and
tta t,rv haah hoe tOgetncfs