New-York tribune., 1897-04-13
ART NOTES.
AN EXHIBITION BY JOHN LAFARGE AND
BANCEL LAFARGE-ALEXAND
AND BIRGE HARR1SON-SOME
pAsTELS BY MR. CHAMP
NEY-NEW PUBL

PAsTELs BY MR. CHAMP
NEY-NEW PUBL
CATIONS
perbans the greatest test OF fine art Is the tcst
NJ durability its perennial power 10 exert a spen VI
beauty This test Is borne by Mr. John Laiaree IN
q delightful manner. Time cannot lessen the raoi-
ance of his color nor the distinction or MS sl!ie'
Al the Wunderlich Gallery he has brought together
. n,,obe- Of the water colors made in Japan and
the South Sea Islands-works which have In most
cases been seen several times in public Ihey WIN
many Others were displayed at the Durano-tueI
Gallery not much than two years ago. ana the
memory Of their charm must be fresh in the mnds
of every one who them then, on the eve OF their
senarture for the Paris Salon But they come 10 the
front once more with freshness as OF entirely new
productions intensifying our sense or the aFts's
close contact with the sources OF his insprauoh Ills
;horough-going realism. Few American painters
have been more persistently imaginative. few nave
dealt so constantly with formal decorative themes'
but without sacrificing either his poetry or his deco
rative taste Mr.. Lafarge has preserved the vital'y
of nature in his work. The little triptych, as 1t
might be called, which hangs In the centre OF the
gallery showing a seated dancer OF the South Seas
I'm three different attitudes, Is not alone beautiful
example Of modelling and Of brilliant color; It Is
study of picturesque manners which has in It the
veracity of life itself
We believe that this deep fund of truth in Mr.. La
farges art is of the first elements OF It's atrac-
ton but Il is perhaps inevitable that the mind should
dwell with quite much satisfaction, II not with
more, upon the mere sensuous loveliness OF the
work There IS realism of high order in the pict
ure OF Soldiers Bringing Presents OF Food" ana the
spectator seems TO share in the very ceremony It.
self: but instantly he surrenders 10 the cleaning
color in the bronzelike bodies of the men, 10 the
beauty OF the composition much deep and
glowing color sklfully arranged and this experience
and Japanese landscape Mr.. Lafarge has found the
qh M of age aod fod has M % bss h
the glamour, the s;rangeness, the note OF beauty
which is the note Of enchantment. If this belated
exhibition. coming at the very fag end OF the sea-
son. stands out nevertheless one OF the best we
have had. IT is chiefly because Of the lofty plane
upon which 1t stands. presenting the impressions Of a
master among themes that themselves of pecu-
embrace fnriher group OF water colors by Mr.
Bancel Lafarge. who has obviously studied under his
could only be his own Perhaps his pictures suffer
little from coming into such direct contrast with the
mellow, authoritative work Of his father In room
by themselves they would not remind the observer
that John Lafge & has done much the same thing
markaby well done with delicacy of touch in some
need fear no comparison anywhere. The key of
color is generally The same & as IN John LafaTges
one has the power OF the man who first employed
It. But Mr. Bancel Iafarge has equalled his temer-
mony. his discretion in work where discretion and
reserve are half the battle.
At the American Art Galleries not disslmlsr
Alex
ander Harrison and his brother Bree having put
a collection of their works on exhibition on the
walls. The first OF these painters has won
a permanent position for himself through the grace
and truth of his marines. The brother has never
struck so sure a note. His figure work Is careful
and adequate; II is not attractive His sea pct-
follow his brothers lead without quite reach
ing the point which they would leave an equally
pleasant impression In fact. Mr. Birge Harri-
lacks originality to extent which would be
noticed whether he exhibited side by side with his
brother or not When he paints big canvas like
the Return of the Mayhower," he touches the
average level, the average cleverness Of the
Salon. but he leaves the picture, on the
whole. empty. 1t has not enough force, not
enough quality and the same may be said Of his
landscapes. Here and there he nearly achieves an
effect that is at once beautiful and indivduallzed
The snow scene showing aisle of trees. which
hangs in the first gallery upstairs, is distinctly
artistic i. ana ID IN study ike No. The Wake Of
bic aspect. But 1t Is minor talent and falls far
short OF VI tHe fNy,y dT f re9ned to keep col
considera6le size at point where i will sui.
is missing just that last touch of strength, of in
stinctive taste and feeling ana mastery. which
ander Harrison possesses 1t, and thus the ten or
;weiree ncllTes ne d,spiaya for al mat they are
catch the attention and hold It, Whether in the
gracious placidity Of The Big Crowd" or the
Sea" he has substance, life, the unmistakable
beauty of nature Perhaps the best OF the things
he shows is he Ships at Sea" TO which allusion
has jus. been made. This possesses a little more
vigor than he usually discloses a little more breezi-
ness. one admirable landscape accompanies the
marines. No. 80 River (Grez)." This has some
quiet. alung color in II, and the design is capt.
waiting
Mr.. j. Wells Champney. ~ the Knoedler Gal
lery. has collection of pastels, some Of them be-
ing original portraits. others being copies from
Bot,icelli Corot and other masters IN European
galleries In both provinces Mr. Chainpney does
his work with suavity and precision His draughts-
full length and out of doors but his seated subjec
engasingly portrayed In the copies there is
pathy for the artists studied. The Botticei has
come out well and the Velazquez Is even better.
Two new art publications issued In France have
reached us through the courtesy Of American rep
resentatives The publishers Of "The American
Architect and Building News" In Boston have
undertaken 10 circulate in this country monthly
rnaeazine. entitled Art ct Decoration" The first
number opens with an interesting paper on stained
glass by T.ucien Maync, with illustrations from
work by Merson Grasset and others. An account
Of picturesque departure in Belgian architectural
decoration follows and there Is an apprec9tvc,
The periodical Is well printed, and TO Judge from
the prospectus which names some especially dis.
fncuished artists as members OF the Committee or
direction IL ought to prove Of value 10 students
and amateurs. II It's practically Is really prac-
tical and decorative themes are treated in man
ncr to appeal to decorative artists, which Is the
only point that seems a liite doubtful at present;
which NJ DurandRue sends us the FIRST number,
sppeara under the managemeat of MN Clement
Tanin and Andre Mellcrio The objects OF their
e@rh"Tlps eer TheY have useful ned students Of en-
efra6 and they. with collectors Of posters have
certainly need for an u'i is,: now Tns
are wei chosen In this nrst numhcr there ar, is ,
precious sheaf Of fraemenis from the T Work r OF
dpdnaI e,erirs wen for It's future. IT hits the night