New-York tribune., 1895-05-12
NEW YORK DAILY TRIBUNE H. ss-THlRIY PAGES

not care to expend a shilling for the sight OF
dozen pictures, no one OF the first Importance.
But sometimes wonder whether strictly limited
exhibition might not pay; strictly limited. not only
In number, but to men Of real distinction. Here.
however, other men Of real distinction are not
wanting and there s variety enough for all tastes
and for those to whom taste Of any kind IL want
ing Mr.. Alfred Parsons. Mr.. La Thangue ana
Mr.. Sargent are three men as unlike as possible
and all alike IN this priceless quality OF distinc-
ton. Mr. parsonss landscapes seem to grow year
by year In breadth md In the truth of outdoor Ife
Mr. La Thanguc's "Tn Cottage -Nightfalr' 10 one
OF those sombre interiors which he delights to
pain, and paints IN hs own way; with little or no
suggestion OF Indebtedness TO any one master or
style; and no thought apparently OF popularity
Not that the power Of suggesting other masters or
schools is always a fault. You cannot. for In
stance look at Mr.. wattss CHARITY" without
thinking OF Venice. The picture has the gorgeous
soberness OF Giorgione and that grave richness OF
color with Its suggestion OF depth and purity to
which only the Venetian school. as school. ever
attained
When you turn t. Mr.. Sargent. whose astonish-
ing portrait OF Miss Ada Rehan hangs on the op-
poste wall Of the North Gallery you have passed
into another epoch Mr.. Sargent would not.
~
good sense. He would not object to be called the
modern velasauez for example. though little Is
ever gained by assuming quite so much as the use
of that great name assumes Nor Is his portrait
OF Miss Rehan the work one would select as best
emitting Mr. Sargent either TO such comparison
or TO the fame which he owes undoubtedly to HIM
self and not to "reminiscences OF Velasquez or any.
body else What his critics call his eccentricities
are here more visible than in his more sober por-
traits As Miss Rehan IL an actress Mr.. Sargent
probably thought himself permitted, and indeed
Obliged TO be theatrical; and he is theatrical.
The adjective Is not necessarily disparaging
one. The light is that Of the footghts: the pose.
the costume the accessories. are all OF the stage.
and In one sense II Is the actress and the actress
only whom he has strven 10 represent. But
ne has painted the woman also and painted her
with cruel fidelity. Mr. Sargent be 1t remem-
bered, Is always uncompromisng which 10 also
one way OF compromising his sitter The fatal
gift Of caricature attends him alike on the stage
and in the drawing-room. lie cannot help seeing
what Is exaggerated or fantastic In his subject:
and he cannot help reproducing this on his cam
vas. Sometimes his caricature Is fattering; more
often II Is the reverse. and Of hattering Miss Re-
han he cannot be held guilty The portrait Is full
Of suggestions Of that metallic hardness which
marks her acting; due, perhaps. to the sense or
effort OF volition continually in exercise. which
Is the result Of a critical scrutiny OF her method.
As she fiaunts In this portrait. there Is nothing
spontaneous. nothing simple. hint Of genuine
ness or simplicity. The picture will never rank
with Mr.. Sargent's masterpieces; 1t seems all
most to have been painted n defiance to his
critics, or might have been IL he cared for criti-
clsm which imagine he does not. He Is far too
convinced to trouble himself overmuch about the
convictions Of others And he may or may not
take it as tribute to the sincerity Of his art II
you should tell him that the predominant charac-
teristic Of this canvas is effrontery.
The gallery contains plausible portrait or two
by Mr.. Shannon, OF whom once something more
than plausibleness was expected and many other
portraits and pictures Of various kinds by men OF
standing and repute. we'll deserving your atten-
ton. But II you are interested In the future and
In the art which is to illumine the beginning OF
the twentieth century. 1t is not quite certain that
you will be able to fix on any one rising artist and
predict for him any very great or permanent re-
nown. G. W. >.