New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-14
THREE EXHIBITIONS.
OLD AND MODERN PICTURES AT THE
UNION LEAGUE CLUB.

In far the character OF the pictures Is con-
cerned. there Is departure from precedent marked
BY the usual monthly exhibition at the Union League
Club. but in one important particular change is
noticed. Perhaps 1t is only temporary 1t ought TO
be permanent. Instead of gathering together for
one OF its miscellaneous displays large number Of
paintings, the club presents seventeen canvases,
Jus, as many required to FL one OF the
rooms without crowding 1t was a wise expert
ment to try. The result ought TO prove an encour-
agement to the arrangement of succeeding exh-
Dltions similar lines. AS the gallery is hung
now |, not merely gives each picture kind of
Independence not only makes the walls more deco
ratve but il avoids giving the spectator that IA
tlgue which often accompanies even the best Of
exhibitions when the latter are too large.
Examples of the English art Of the last century
are found with more and more frequency in the
ealer.es of New-York and it Is no surprise to meet
with a group of euch productions in the present
collection But portrait like the Romney here dis
played would be remarked at any time and In any
place Paintings like this are rare. The subject.
Isabella, Countess Of Gencairn." was an image Of
striking loneliness, and Romney celebrated her
beauty at a time when his hand admirably quail
fled to express his sensitive feeling for just such
model The work IS fine throughout. less nervously
and vigorously brushed than In Romneys most in
tensely personal portraits but finished nevertheless.
with the firm del!cacy characteristic of his finish,
and marked from beginning 10 end by the nobility
OF his style. The color is in a vivacious key. but
Is handled with much discretion and about the
face particularly. the tones treated with perfect
subtlety and cearness. The carnations are fresh
and pure The painting as a who.e is limpid and
fine As a specimen of Romney in one Of his mature
and happest moods. the portrait is uncommoniy
brilliant and interesting. This large canvas by
Romney is fanked by two smaller portraits far less
fascinating, but at the same time strong and de-
serving careful scrutiny. That on the left is one
of the fourteen portraits of Washington painted by
Dom ,ottf
II is smoothly executed canvas. lacking in charm
OF style, perhaps, but possessing dignity and GER
tain precision of workmanship which Is attractive
The companion to this portrait is one OF senator
Young. Washington's friend by Gilbert Stuart In
this there is obvious and engaging technical au-
thority. and there is a distinction OF manner when
makes it of the most interesting panels in the
collection.
There other American works. but they are OF
later date. A beautiful landscape by the late
George Inness. summer Foliage study OF rich
deep color is hung at the other end of the room;
and TO balance 1t there is a new painting by MI:
Homer Martin North Woods-Adronddcks, OF
which It would be hard to speak without warmth.
II might be proved that this landscape IS Urine
out in some of its details. The handing OF me
fusion exists there which ought not 70 exist But
the eye loses sight Of ii almost Immediately ana
The woods in the foreground. to the poetic way in
which the sky Is modelled and filled WIN me
holder on his emotional side and to remain in his
memory long after It's defects are forgotten.
The foreign paintings which are not English
make a very small group. The most aggressive
work in that group is a picture by Ju-es breton Oi
Young Girls Going to the Procession, DIG, but
empty. commonplace ma chin of the sort when
for years has been conspicuous in the Salon Breton
sentiment is cheap and his style unimpressive in
the last degree. the little figure study by Neuhuys
which hangs rear by, or the large sketcny cahvSs
opposite by Josef Israels is worth ten or Breton
Paintings where depth of artistic feeling is con
c,rned. The Neuhuys picture especially is delight
ia. its sincerity and its lovely play OF light ana
shade. The English works surrounding the por-
trait by Romney are chiefly landscapes. There is
an interesting View Near Tvoli" by Wilson, me
cassicist, and an example of John Sell CotInan Is
distinguished by clear atmosphere and pleasan;
co.or There is a fair specimen of Constable ana a
Landscape with Cattle" by George Vincent, Is
bad as to the cattle but good in the old char
acteristic English way in which the trees are
handled. The large summertime Landscape
Near Bath" by Gainsborough. IS similarly d,Vlcta
I'm quality. The cattle too conspicuous, MI the
composition too prominently. and are not in mem
Sc YES well painted On the other hand. the land
scape if lacking in the richness OF Galnsborougns
best work. wherein he painted foliage Win peGunar
charm is beautifully lighted. and exploits well the
painters profound naturallsm in outdoor WORK.