New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-28
THE AMERICAN ARTISTS.
GOOD EXHIBITION OF NEW PICTURES

A GOOD EXHIBITION OF NEW PICTURES
Two admirable things have been accomplished in
the preparation Of the exhibition Of the Society Of
American Artists, which is thrown open to the public
to-day in the galleries of the Fine Society The
collection has been kept within reasonable limits
there being only two hundred and fifty exhibits and
while the effect throughout is OF progressive body
OF painters working along lines of perfect freedom
there Is nevertheless refreshing pauciy Of merely
eccentric and audacious art. The Hanging Com
mttee has rivaed the jury OF selection In the excel
lence OF Its work The walls are hung IN a pecu-
liarly harmonious and decorative way. the general
tone being agreeable to the observer as the sig
nifcance OF each picture when examined BY itself
Altogether the society has arranged one Of the best
displays in its history. 1t has been happy also in
its selection Of pictures for the two prizes awarded
every year. the Webb prize of $500 offered for the
landscape painted by American under forty years
OF age and the Shaw Fund of 81 500 destined for the
purchase OF figure piece selected by the jury with
out reference to the age OF the artist
The Webb prize goes to Mr. Willard J.. Metcalf for
a vigorous study, Gloucester Harbor" in which
there is abundant light playing through an attrac-
tive scheme Of color and illuminating what Is in
every way sincere authoritative Interpretation OF
nature. The Shaw prize is given to Mr.. Frank W.
Benson for his Decorative Figure-Summer." Even
II II had not won the prize this picture would have
secured position of prominence before the exhibit
ton was twenty-four hours old. No one could look
upon Il and fail to recognize the elasticity Of
men which 1t suggests: could resist its grace,
It's exquisite sentiment, the charm Of its fluent and
original style. The design also is picturesque and
winning The work has defects. but they are Of
trihing import beside the general excellence of the
production. Several other striking figure subjects
hung. Mr. Robert Reid sends an outdoor cam
vas Autumn In which his impressonism has
found exactly the motive exactly the effect of color
for its successful exploitation. There are two
charming decorative panels by Mrs. MacMonnies;
there are some strong realistic designs by Mr. Walk
ley Mr.. Franzen and Mr.. Wies: and in more fanci-
ful directions the paintings by Mr.. Maynard. MIR.
Prewitz. Mr.. Barse. Mr.. Bell and MIR. Sewell leave
q gratifying impression.
Poriraiture is aggressive here at the Acad-
envy 1t is numerically strong. and in few in
stances 1t claim to represent some OF the finest
qualities in the exhibition DR.. Dewing contributes
a portrait Of a lady which is. If anything lovelier
DIANA" which has no great weight as a concep-
ton OF the goddess. but which is superb as the
portrait OF interesting sitter The full length of
q lady by Mrs. Houston. with its delicate color and
its clevery modelled. though perhaps too accentu-
ated, features, is and strong: the works Of Mr..
Hopkinson. Mr.. Garrison and Mr.. Tarbe are not
and there are portraits by Mr. lsham Mr. Hyde.
Mr.. johnson and Mr. Lockwood. to which attention
may be drawn The landscape work in this exhibit
ton Is chiefly remarkable for the tendency toward
'plen air. effects which II illustrates IMPRESSION
ism is visible everywhere. but. fortunately. little
OF it Is Of the extreme sort. On the contrary some
shown are works in which the painters have taken
q hint from Monet without abandoning all other
principles Of art. Further discussion OF these land
scapes and Of the exhibition in general is deferred.
The galleries open to the public yesterday, but
only upon payment Of higher admission fee than
is asked to-day. The exhibition lasts until May 2