New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-24
THE CHRONICLE OF ARTS,
EXHIBITIONS AND OTHER TOPICS.
THE ROBERTS sALE-ANoTHER MISCELLANEOUS
Observation-Disclosures BY MIR. CHAP. ?
MAN. MIR. PENNELL AND NJ CHART.
RAMA NOTE on wINsLow HOMER


argument why recognize their existence? As mat
ter OF fact those lists make an interesting contri
oution TO the art history OF America. II Is true
enough mat commercial value IL not criterion In
matters of art, but. after ALL the auction room
shows which way the wind blows: and the sale ct
prices ranging from 81 to $50 OF paintings by
lists whose names the most noted In the
country goes to show I'm = very concrete manner
how those names have waned The large sum paid
for Leutze's picture OF washington Crossing the
Delaware" was tribute TO the sentimental and
historical significance OF the work. to the paint
er's intrinsic merits. Frankly the I.eutze side Of
this canvas is not worth sl6.lOo But the patriotic
side OF II is worth fully that much. II is OF the
most noted pictures in history Throughout the
United States its outlines are as familiar as the
portrait OF Washington, and II IL known abroad
much better than many other works In which
can feel more pride Altogether. IL Is good TO know
,hat 1t Is to find permanent home in the Metro
unlikely that the directors would refuse to accept
IT, Nevertheless we repeat. the sale OF the Roberts
collection registers the last painters OF
the last generation. They will always be respected
or Gfords will be brought to light and admired
But the artistic taste Of the present day Is out Of
able that the latter will again be accorded
conspicuous positions.
There some pictures now at the Fifth Avenue
Art Galleries which begin by threatening a repeti-
ton of the Roberts collection and end by holding
their cwn bravely. Mr. Mcguire who brought them
together had some interest in foreign art. but in
the main he was loyal to the painters OF the Amer
lean school There are two characteristic specimens
Of Inness by Winslow Homer there is a delightful
bea n scene with figures dating from his earlier
period, and scattered along the walls numerous
minor but good canvasos by Mr.. Smile. Mr. Weir
Mr.. Twachtman. Mr. Horatio Walker. Mr.. Swain
Clifford, Mr.. +. S. Church and other well-known
names. None OF the works shown OF command
tn haya
readily contented himself with a fair example %
Coro or Troyon. or lnness. or whoever the artist
might be. when he could not get better one. And
this. evidently. was all the time But he plainly
bought his pictures for the pleasure they gave him.
They are all attractive. either telling good story
senting some charming fragment of nature - The
dispersal of the collection is event. yet
1t ought to be popular for here In the biz full
of there is sure to something to crafty
al tastes The sale occurs next Tuesday and
Wednesday evenings.
One OF the best OF recent small exhibitions devoted
10 single artist Is that which opened yesterday
at the gallery OF Fishel Adler & Schwartz II is
posed OF about thirty canvases painted by Mr. Carl
ton T. Chapman in illustration OF the naval actions
Of the War of 1912. The period offered him splendid
opportunity. being rich I'm the picturesqueness OF
those ships which carried miles Of canvas above
their guns. and Mr. Chapman has used his chance
to the utmost His compositions original. dra-
matte. full OF movement and fire He has always
been skilful IN his handling rigging and the other
details Of vessel-he has always painted the sea
with sympathy and understanding: but in this
series of war studies he has done quite his best
work. The pictures much more than sketches.
The physognomies of the old vessels have been
treated with the utmost care they have character
individuality. and Mr. Chapman has made this the
moro Impressive by painting with the utmost clear
the painting of a battle scene by covering them up
with smoke Mr. Chapman has taken A franker
course. ana his paintings are bold. well analysed
productions. full OF life full Of convincing truth
His execution has never been better On all grounds
he is TO be congratulated.
At the Knoedler Gallery, near by. there is another
group OF portraits by NJ Chartran. who displayed .
similar collection In the same place year or 70
There is nothing to be added TO the judgment(
passed upon his work then He is a facile and pol
shed artist ready and sure in catching a likeness:
bright and flashing in color responsive to the
surface elegance in feminine sitters. and lacking
after all is said and DONE in depth OF feeling and
distinction of style. He has much vivacity and
cleverness. and technical mastery which some
times goes near to placing him on "A higher ground
than he seems 10 prefer. There Is large picture Of
some admirable draughsmanship in II. and there
Is sketch of Jean de Reszke Segfred which Is
almost brilliant in its swift vigorous brushing.
Mr.. Joseph Pencils Spanish drawings at the
Keppel Gallery are fascinating little productions.
lie has extraordinary delicacy OF touch. and has
brought TO high degree of cultivation that gift
for brief suggestive line which disclosed by
his earliest work illustrator. These pictures
for Irvng's "Alhambra" thoroughly Spanish in
sentiment, and the bright snappy style is well
adapted to the scenes chosen for portrayal. The
pen drawings show cunning hand in the distrbu-
ton of lights and shadows. and in the dcneation
of minute prohles Of architecture landscape The
Autographs slight but expressive. and reveal
Mr. Pencils faculty for dainty. subtle drawing at
its best. Just how these photographic made
is question which Is to be answered I'm the English
law courts before long. Mr.. Walter Sickert I'm The
Saturday Review" asserted that Mr.. Pennelrs
Autographs should really be called transfer litho-
graphs" nasmuch he took them he prints
from stones to which the drawing has been
transferred from photographic paper" Mr.. Pencil
retorts by libel suit which the Editor Of 1.-THE Sat
hs he e M ' 70 u wIE agnane
when il comes to court. with completeness that
will leave nothing 10 he desired. Mr. Harris chucklos
over Mr. P.nnelrs evident desire to find
something about the canons of criticism in matters
stru t. at the hands Of an English jury" The
trial should certainly he a JOY. And 1t Will settle
the matter of Mr.. Pencils autographs.
There would appear to 10 not much occasion for
speaking about picture when IL has been shown
only semi prlvately in Ncw-York and has since
been Withdrawn from public exhibition here alto
gether. But the painting by Winslow Homer
which awarded 5000 prize at Pittsburg not
long since. and which was hung I'm small collec-
ton of American pictures at the Union League
Club week ago. provokes some observations
which opposite now any time This
artist has been one OF the royal pillars OF the
American school His genius has been among the
best things in possession II has seemed i'm.
possible that he could ever paint a bad picture
But THE Wreck is one OF the most unsatisfactory
performances shown in New-York for years by q
man OF established reputation. The design is good
There is one little passage that Is good a Passage
showing a group OF figures a sandy ridge
against the sky. But that sky IL Opaque and fat:
the dunes. amid which the life-savers are getting
their boat into shape to launch. painted with
neither color texture; the whole work with
the exception OF that one detail to which we have
referred. IL brittle. thin characterless a very az
front to those who have held Mr.. Homer as one OF
the great artists OF his day. OF course he Is
great still OF course he is capable OF magnificent
things. as he has been for many years. No man
Of his abilities could suddenly collapse. But what