New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-15
THE ACADEMY OF DESIGN.

SECOND NOTICED
To come back to the exhibition OF pictures at the
Academy Of Design. is to come back with peculiar
interest to that large painting by the late Thomas
Hovenden, In which he started TO depict group
Of newly arrived pioneers. discussing their plans on
q Western prairie. This picture. IN fact, has an
Importance which 1t did not have on the day the
exhibition opened. for since that time there has
been brought forward at the Avery Gallery the
hrse painting OF John Brown on his way to exc
cution which Hovenden painted some years ago.
10 study that historic canvas is to be impressed
anew with a OF his profound sympathy his
dramatic force and his ability to make themes
pictorial where they are not obviously so. The
John Brown" Is a masterpiece In Its way and It
may be said in passing that no lover OF the kind
Of work shown at the Academy should fail to visit
the Avery Gallery and see this picture. Turning
then again. to the Founders OF State" the
Imagination sees more clearly how Hovenden
would have invested the stalwart figures OF that
canvas with dignity and pcturesqueness 1t would
never have been a beautiful canvas but II would
undoubtedly have been a strong one. and the de-
sign, which Is now unbalanced, would have been
clarified ana put firm basis.
1t must be admitted that defective as the picture
BY Hovenden may be- 1t has not many rivals, In
point OF composition. within the limits OF this
exhibition Mr. Eric Pape has essayed an imag-
NATIVE flight In THE Two Great Eras" picture
Of the Holy Family in Egypt. but the Sphinx has
been painted before. and striking as Mr.. Pape Is
he not as original we would have him. On
the other hand, Mr.. Lungren is original enough
In his theatrical painting. huge in dimensions. OF
Moqh Indian snake dance. but he has not. with
en hs facility and clever drawing, joined TO
hs originality sufficient authority and Interest
tne matter OF pure composition A figure piece
"ncn q once original and admirably balanced.
y Inc decorative design. Saint Cecilia" sent by
MI Church. The gracious mood in which this Is
painted ated In Mr. Nfiliete English interior
ta"ed An Overture" and all through the exhibit
u0n 'nere are paintings in kindred keys. Ike Mrs
Soxs Pomona" like Mr. Mosler's Helping
u'shdpa," like the "Sante" OF Mr. Watrous ana
IKE Ire Oriental studies OF Mr. Weldon. Mr.. Bick-
. ..n sho Mr.. Wores. which stand among the good
."lns' IN the galleries. In strong contrast to all
'ses' ana 10 the many attractive anecdotes with
which the walls Of the Academy are as usual well
sp'",a' tne large fgurepiece by Mr.. Robin
""'ch hangs IL the corridor, THE Layctte.
=. sp''e OF the fact that the landscapes which Mr..
"o''nson sent to the socetys exhibition represent
nun "eii' II Is more Comprehensive and a more
i"sIac'ory measure Of his gifts which Is provided
0' this Picture at the Academy He was a young
"a" "neh MS career 80 suddenly terminated.
ana he had not shown all that he could do But
.'a' ne cculd do much Is conclusivey demon
,"aeo oy this painting. which, for all that II
-v'e's on tie brink OF that uncertainty which
,,"s'ac'erzes so much impress,onism. neverthe-
rs solid truthful picture OF a woman whose
na'acter' as well as form. Is subtly realized
VI Tue canvas. The work Is admirably suffused
WIN light. and this production particularly shows
me virtue Of Mr.. Robinson's method. one OF
neshtforward. direct brushwork and OF color
Val was never too decided In Its expression of
wal tints In Its illustration Of the fuctuation
tones Mr.. Robinsons loss Is felt for its own
.kA Il Is felt with reference to his share in the
0stunes Of the Society OF American Artists. but II
feh with special force at the Academy where
men Of his ambitious and progressive temperament
ave been needed.
NJ Robinson was not alone however. in the
academy. and. hag Deen already noted In this
aee the present exhibition Is specially to be ad-
nnsd for Its illustration Of more than Academic
rneiples. Mr. wier and Mr.. Hassam have both been
.annted to the galleries. and. though neither has
must b confessed brought an intrnsically salts
s.nt element INTO the situation. they have both
~ useful In creating atmosphere that Is slim
s-uag and contemporaneous. Then Mr.. Plat. who
suSsinly abreast OF the very latest ideas In
aseape painting. counts here, as he counts in the
=. Huon further up town. as q source OF strength
sstistic beauty In fact. as room after room Is
s =. u seen that the new school and the old
- Snstanfy side by side. Along with portraits by
=, ~"oed Ari Huntington and Mr.. Eakins. there
a.n dozen productions In the same depart
~. ~ Mr. pewlng. Mr.. Pennington. Mr. Wilton
~ ~ MaS Breaux. Mr.. Cohen and others which
= 49, snuneant elasticity and style MT sargent
4 - k2ssest works. The fine landscapes are many
~ nSnq they range from the advanced atmos,
~ H men like Mr.. stephen Parrish and
Pl9tt 10 the solid work o. M. ulf-
|[4 ~ M. P3ck01li Ne Murphy and Nj.