New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-30

brutal acceptance 81 hard facts In nature which
especially distinguishes the works OF those
painters. Rut thing Is missing that beauty
or that distinction without which art Is futile
Technically. Mr. Weir is well equipped, he states
his facts with abundan- force and with great pre-
cision But he pays the penalty OF his restless
ness OF his versatility. and ne misses the "cachet"
OF style Art is nature seen through temporal
ment we have been told. Mr.. Welr's temperament
must have been OF importance in his art but IN
ways not discernible 10 others In really strlk-
ing degree his work full OF striving and Of
minor successes. containing many elements OF
pe-rnanence appealing 20 the spectator so often
IN this way or that. continues 10 leave the i'm
preston OF work without core, without an In
spiration II Is coherent enough in matters OF
composition. but II Is not coherent interpre
tation OF nature plus the beauty OF art These
paintings do touch 'he emotions. They main
tain their ambiguous detachment from the vitality
OF things artistic they interesting. bu. they
Go no; give deep and lasting pleasure
Mr.. Weir has prepared his public for the mixed
character OF his contributions to the present ex-
h,hition Several OF his companions lower un-
expectedly the standards BY which they have been
known. NJ. De Camp for example has done
much better work than we have been able 10 dis
cover In either OF the nude studies he sends TO the
show. They ugly and poorly painted
Nj Tarhell whose portraits and decorative panels
have excited enthus site praise upon previous oc-
CaSi0rS, Is now CC0tentirE nrlSel. fNlueNllN Win
studies OF costume panty in quality and at
tractive only ir the few passages wherein he has
handled textures with particular skill and taste
Rosemary" is a pretty portrait. but M Tarb"ll
ough; 10 be above mere prsttiness. His horizon
should have broadened but II has. II anything con-
tracted. and his work seems thin and empty. MI.
Penson Is in exactly the same boat perhaps
there is a aini Of his familiar fuency and clever
ness In No 70. Girl Reading and here and there
in each OF It's fellows. Something more is re-
CURED Mr.. Benson and NJ Tarbel both suhside
into triv.aty with completeness that IS astorish-
ing There remain four painters In tho group
under discussion two who provide slight sensation
because they did not care provide more and
two who try hard hut do not quite achieve large
results Mr.. Simmons might have sent some adj
rirable pictures He knows how 10 paint them.
But ne sends only two portraits. and while both
are noticeable for a kind Of sober strength they
are neither OF them captivating. MI Metcah
sends portrait which provokas the same respect
tul but cool comment. and in his other canvas
Death Of Orpheus he has produced daintily
colored ard spirited composition which just stops
short OF engaging serious attention. One is con-
sciou. Of something wiltully held back. Had MI.
Ne;calf cared 20 exert himself he might have fig
ured bravely in this show. Mr.. Hassam has ex-
erted himself tremendously. but FOR the sake OF
some fugitive and unimportant effect he seems
willing to sacrifice valuable qualities His I'M
pression!stic pictures obscure as studies
Of nature while in respect to style. composition.
sensuous charm and they mean only so
much to the beholder he is willing to admit out
OF complaisance. interesting himself in the erort
OF the artist. watching what he is trying foT
rather than what he has accomplished MI
Twachtman repeating Mr.. Hassam's obscu-ty in
his Waterfall and Pool" shows him. plaus'bly
enough how the thing is done In THE New
Bridge" which IS extremely def in It's expression
Of the Of the trees the brightness or me
color. the movement OF the brook which crosses
NJ frran CHI a
real contro! over the problems Of lighting which
ensross him control varied by possibly deliberate
lapses from artistic veracity. At the same time
he as well as Mr.. Hassam. seems to be wreaklng
h.rse. upon his task with n devotion OUT OF al
proportion TO It's value When they have FOUND
out how TO paint the light shifting through trees
what will they 90 with IT. Will they make notes
o- Il IN their sketch books 10 study in private as
they have made notes of II on canvas for the pub
lie 10 study in this exhibition. or viii they use
their knowledge and skill in the painting or
pictures which II Will be really stimulating 10 see?
!, has been worth while 10 traverse somewhat in
detail this exhibition Of hardly more than twoscore
naintnts for they offer an unusually direct chal-
lenge 70 criticism The Ten American Painters
have been without the restraining hand or a jury
they have divided the wall space among then-
selves so that no one could be dissatisfied and
they have in short the pleasure OF putting their
work before the public exactly they think 1t
should be pu, In order that 1t may be seen TO the
best possible advantage What is the net result
Of their enterprise? That another interesting e1-
h,h.-,oo has been added to the seasons list. 1t
cannot be said that anything more than this has
been accomplished. The Ten are secessionists
hut not revolutionists II their exhibition is re-
peated II may, in course of time. show peculiar
results the prospect OF its atmosphere drawing the
men out in certain ways But that IS all IN 'h1
future We may add that the present exhibition
will remain open al the Durand-Ruel galleries until
April H.