The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-14
THE ACADEMY EXHIBITION.

and thirty.four associates together contributed
129 works, leaving 276 to be credited to the 203
painters who arc not members OF tho Academy.
These figures show that the members OF the
Academy do not by any means monopolize the
exhibition, but an examination OF tho galleries
makes plain the fact that the best places are
given TO members pictures, Just rs they are at
tho Royal Academy in London. 1t is the right Of
the Academicians to have three works admitted
without examination by the jury of selection,
though only about half of them have awaited
themselves of the privilege this spring. Never
theloss 1t is largely tho members pictures that
determine the general character Of the exhi-
bition, as they arc the most in evidence on tho
walls. Sothis year tho exhibition does not much
differ from its predecessors, there are no clous or
star pictures from outsiders, and though there
are several instances of liberality on the part Of
the jury toward n sort of painting to which tho
Academy has not been hitherto especially favor
able, the bulk Of the pictures shown Is of the
usual order, to which we have become accus-
toned in previous displays. There arc, perhaps,
moro subject pictures OF small dimensions than
in other years, many of them of serious inten-
ton, and quito a number competently, II not
brilliantly. executed. The exhibition is not so
strong in portraits as It has been in former years,
and there is o much moro general showing Of
landscapes on the part of members of the Acad-
envy than usual. Tho landscape painters, in
fact, both in the number and in the size OF their
canvases, seem to DO more prominent in the
representation than their brother artists whose
work is principally confined to the depletion Of
figure subjects. Tho central position in the
galleries. that commonly called tho place of
honor-the centre of tho long wall in
tho south gallery-is given to Mr.. Pick.
nell's Route dc Nice CNo. 255) and
tho landscape impression received in
tho first glance toward this place on
entering tho principal room is kept up pretty
well throughout the galleries. Mr.. Picknell's
picture IL not unlike another landscape which
he painted In Brittany In 1870. and exhibited at
the Salon OF 1880. 1t belongs now to the Union
League Club, in this city. and is called la
Route de Concarneau." Almost tho entire fore
ground Of the composition is taken up by the
wide expanse Of a white road In blazing sunlight.
The road leads away through the middle Of tho
picture to tho horizon, which Is lined with dark
foliaged trees, and q brilliant blue sky fills tho
upper part of the canvas. In tho Route de
Nice" there is also q broad white road stretching
away to q line Of bare, stoop-sided hills of rocky
formation, and the effect is full sunlight. This
picture, like its forerunner. is vigorously and
solidly painted, and the attempt to give facts
with uncompromising truth Is most successful.
1t is sunny and bright without exaggeration.
but also without charm. Especially notable is
IL AoSs N hAO pAStuAO 40 oo ouhhJ VI
except a bit OF a blue patch on tho road
where a cart is droning along. with its
driver on the side path, there are no
shadows to accent aud emphasize the general
brightness. The edge Of q field in tho fore
ground on the left of the road shows to the
superficial observer a growth OF heritage OF
some sort, but when it Is looked at again and
its forms noted 1t is seen to be nothing moro nor
less than maize-our own Indian corn. which
| rrnr-o uyal IN the capfh nf Franco and Ia p,r,h
liked for food by the peasants. On the right of
tho Route dc Nice" hangs q three-quarter
| length portrait OF q gentleman (No. 256). tho
contribution to the exhibition Of tho Presi-
dent OF the Academy, and on the left
there Is n seated figure, portrait of Henry
Parish. ESQ.," Go. 253l. by J. Carroll
Beckwith Mr.. Beckwith has shown nothing
better of late than this well-posed figure Of a
pleasant-faced gentleman. Both head and hands
are solidly and simply modelled. the color is
agreeable and natural, and the general aspect of
the portrait is complete and authoritative. It Is
skilfully painted throughout, and the left hand,
to particularizo where all is 30 satisfactory, is
exceedingly well done. On the opposite wall there
is a full length figure of a lady In black, Portrait
of Mrs. D." No. 317, by the exhibition OF which
Mr.. William NJ. Chase shares the portrait
honors Of the show with Mr.. Beckwith. 1t is
An attractive canvas OF quiet aspect. very clev-
Cii III tA6htAy 49, ohu NopONAohy oSho
for its excellent rendering of blacks. The head
and hands are good in color. and the figure Is
alluringly drawn, though the wrists, seen, 1t is
true, by reason OF the pose, in their thinnest
dimension, appear q triAe too slight.
Mr.. Huntington's task IN painting the largo
composition, with nine portrait figures. The
American Projectors OF the Atlantic Cable (No.
226). was no easy one. 1t was not nine times as
hard to paint as a portrait OF ono figure. but it
Sa-oI-aJ m boat ~ considerations about pIocip,
balance. symmetry. and effects OF light that the
more simple single portrait does not bring into
question. 1t is pleasant to see the work Of the
venerable ex-President of the academy hold
ing It's own with that Of his younger fellow
members. and giving evidence as the artist
does in this large canvas, that his work has lost
none of the quality that characterized his earlier
compositions. The historical Importance OF this
picture should not BIO overlooked, and we cannot
but regret that our artists are not more fire.
quently called on by the State and municipal
associations to paint the history OF our develop
ment, whether IN science, industry. or art,
as has been done In this case by the Cham
Der OF Commerce of New York. Mr.. Kenyon
Cox's well-drawn and simply modelled head In
the west gallery. Portrait Of DIR. Egbert H..
Grandin CNo. 369l. Mr.. Guys Portrait" Go.
l74), Miss Cecilia Beaux's Portrait" no.. 49,
In the corridor, and Mr.. Lows "a Debutante-
PORTRAIT Oh Ml5S u N>o. ~ III tho "esL Bhiiery
arc notable among the other portrait works in
tho exhibition, but this branch Of painting. as
has been said, Is not the one OF most interest on
the present occasion.
"A Summer Occupation" 90. 2G5h by Will
liam T. Smedley. is ono of tho best pictures In
the galleries. 1t shows a young woman in O
white frock seated with her sewing In a COM
Portable nook under some great trees by the
shore of n lake. and Is excellent in drawing and
truthful. in color. 1t has tho naturalness Of an
easy pose for the figure and fitting surroundings.
and could not be taken for anything but a
picture OF American life. There is truth in
the rendering of character In everything
In tho picture. which gives 1t II per-
sonal stamp both in painting and in por-
trayal OF II subject. This Is not exactly
q storytelling picture, nor is it treated as such
by tho painter. for the figure, with its few ac-
is taken as a motive for depicting. pri-