The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-03
lnr NorEA
r,o,urc- By m,.- Cas'nt' at Duyasa.RssrHs.

Pictures hy n1tss Cassntt mt nu~yaau.Anete
A collection OF paintings in oil, pastols, and
etchings by the talented American artist, MISS
Mary Cassatt, is on exhibition at tho Durand'
Ruol galleries, $50 Fifth avenue. Some OF the
etchings and dry points are colored with thin
washes, md this process In tho hands OF the
artist produces charming effects. The line 10
simple and expressive, the color schemes are in
Rcnious and attractive. They seem to express
with n fow indications what the artist wishes TO
convey, and nothing OF their kind is more de-
lightful.
In the oil paintings and pastels the results are
far from being so satisfactory. The subjects or
tho studies arc in the main women. girls. and
children. Several OF tho canvases chow a
mother and child. In one the mother holds n
glass for tho child TO drink, in another she holds
tho child UP In her arms. and the little one
strains in a characteristic childlike way; in an
other a nurse Is washing a child whose feet are
in a basin Of water on the floor. and In another
the mother holds out n child In her arms while
two girls are talking to 1t and petting IL. In
most of these studies there is q great deal OF
good suggestion rs to action and expression.
In the lust-named work the head almost in pro-
file of tho girl on tho right Is exceedingly
good, well drawn and well painted. But
good morceuur arc the exception rather than
tho rule. Tho child in this picture is uncom-
promisingly ugly. The one in the bath is very
hard and stiff. In q canvas showing O child on
the sido OF a bed with the mother, presumably,
behind It, there is incomprehensible COARSE
ness of painting and an entire lack of Just
notes. Uglincss Of type appears, too. in other
works. such as the two girls In the orchard. In
the girl holding q red carnation. and in the child
with an orange. 1t 10 accompanied by harsh
ness in the execution. Generally speaking. the
pastels are better enveloped than tho oils. A
child on its mothers lap and pushing her chin
up with one hand leaves little to be de-
sired. Tho action 10 good and the means en-
ployed TO express it are pleasant to look at. The
child drinking from the glass. too, Is among tho
successful studies. But taking the pictures
altogether. the artist shows an odd liking. np-
parently. for things in nature that are far from
beautiful. or else she makes them ugly for o
pdrtipris. About three years ago in the Same
gallery there was an exhibition Of works by
Manet, and In the contro of the principal wall
there was q picture of n homcly boy with a
straw hat leaning against q table at which q
man sat drinking. The boy was anything but
an attractive type, but he was 30 wonder
fully we'll painted that he was a delight TO
look upon. That makes all the difference
in the world. Miss Cassatt's studies possess
many fine minor qualities, but lack the great
ones. There is nothing in the collection that is
fine. as the Manet boy was fine. for 1t was
complete. These pictures are good in parts. and
they bear the impress of a strong temperament,
but they seem to fall short of success through
lack of technical strength to beat down all diff
fculties and say the word simply. The artist
does this in the etchings. and in tho oils and
pastels it is at least very interesting to see the
results Of the striving in other mediums of ex-
preston.
In the art of to-day we hear a great deal about
A.. - IT, Al a-.-- f--pb -N --l