New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-07
LAST DAY OF THE PORTRAIT SHOW.
OPINIONS OF BENJAMIN G. PORTER AND ]. CAR
ROLL. BECKW1TH on THE EXHIBITS.

OPINIONS OF BENJAMIN c. PORTER AND ]. CAR
ROLL. BECKw1TH on THE EXHIBITS.
The Portrait Show In the National Academy OF
Design for the benen: of ST. Johns Guild and the
Orthopedic Hospital. will close tonight at 10 o'clock
The tearooms were we'll filed yesterday afternoon
at the tea given by Mrs. Cammack, assisted by
Mrs Hermann Oelrichs, Mrs. John r. Drexel. Miss
Janet Hoyt and Miss Gray. The Mandolin Band
PLAYED. and the galleries were specially decorated
for the occasion
Among the visitors yesterday were Mrs. Paul
Dana Mr. and Mrs. Karrick Riggs. Mrs DIXON
Mrs A. G. Hodges. Miss Beekman and Miss Bene-
diet. To-day all the women OF the committees con-
nec,ed with ST. Johns Guild and the Orthopedic
Hospital will preside in the tearooms and there Will
be music by Libertis Neapoitan Troubadouis
BENJAMIN c. Porter and J. Carroll Beckwith,
members Of the Artists Committee of the Portrait
Sbow recently had something to say TO
a Tribune reporter about certain comments
that have been made regarding the exhibition.
THAT the present portrait exhibition. remarked
Mr. Porter should be contrasted with that of
last year is inevitable but that conclusions should
~. drawn unfavorable to the former is surprising
tosanv one who has taken more than cursory
look at the galleries. The element of novelty af-
forded by a collection of pictures made up en-
tirely OF portraits of women cannot be so strong
this wear but that is more than compensated for
bv the greater variety Of human interest in an
exhibition OF portraits of men, women and CHI
dren i'm the contrast of strength and grace, dignity
and the charm of childhood and the consequent
greater diversity of schools and methods each adj
mirably represented. The present exhibition is
quite equal to- If not better. than that of last year
from any point OF view, of art. or even that OF
curlosity an element of its success or of interest
In portraiture and interested observers of Ameri-
can nrogreas In portraiture should be greatly graf
fled nj the excellent showing made by our own
painters"
As TO the comparative merits of the Portrait
Show and the portraits of women exhibition Of
last wear. Mr. Beckwith said he would gladly urge
the careful study of the present exhibition by those
interested in works of and earn from them
upon what grounds the superiority Of last years
exhibition was claimed The. difference of merit. If
any existed. slight that he had been un-
able 10 detect il. in any event" Mr.. Beckwlth
went on to say, sit must be admitted that we have
never before had in this country fine an exh-
or last years exhibition. That the Portrait Show
il deserving of the careful conformation of our
cultivated citizens cannot be questioned. The re-
proach OF monotonyi which mgnt just have been
this year and the higher standard of merit IN
The old room must DC generally admitted Through
The generosity of people possessing fine portraits
we have been able again to gather together a re-
markabe and varied collection Of conteinporaneous
work. The best painters OF England. France ana
America who have made pOrtraiture q specially,
are represented. and many OF them by the choicest
tery and dignihed workmanship which l. touched
IN many Of the ma portraits gives standaru ro OF
vigorous force to the snow TINS year tildt s HG
only an incentive to our local painters. but ls
worthy of careful study on the part OF the puDHe
Bonnat has rarely excelled the fine brush work
and character displayed in the portrait OF Governor
Morton. Zorn's two brilliant masterpieces OF MT:
Wheeler and Mr.. Bend reach the highest iechnica.
achievement. while the composition and handing
of tone and rich quality of color In the Two beautl,
fu Holl portraits Of Cornelius Vanderbilt ana
Charles Lanierr, have seldom been excelet by ms
clever portraitlst Of the present English scnool'
our own American painters are well TO the front.
and are strongly repre- scented, showing their work
from the beginning of the century down TO the
present time. Those who tempted to compare
this exhibition unfavorab,y with that Of last year
would better devote Lite more time to the For.
trait Show, and. although they may miss brilliant
examples, they VII. find them well replaced by
others equally brilliant. with greater variety, and
in general a higher average