New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-26
ART EXHIBITIONS.
THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF DESIGN.

leaves a mixed Impression The galleries are well
filled with about a hundred and MY pictures ana
At intervals in the long procession pleasant mo-
mani ia vochsafed TO the seeker after artistic ex
celence But between the bright spots there are
dreary spaces and these are too numerous 10 %
passed without protest. The jury. as on previous
occasions has hung things which would better
have been returned. On the other hand. tho list
OF painters who might have strengthened tho
show but who evidently have preferred to exhibit
with the Society OF American Artists or 10 remain
secluded, is unusually long The Academy suhers
sadly from absenteeIsm. This perhaps explains tho
presence OF certain pictures. They help cover tho
wall space
Portraiture Is visible Mt many points, and 10 one
admirable example the place OF honor has been
assigned In the south gallery. This full-Iength
portrait of Mrs. Beckwith by her husband IL tho
most distinguished piece OF work he has publicly
shown In recent years. The figure IL gracefully
and firmly poised, conveying a strong sense OF
reality and the technique not only about the head
but In the textures, which play so large part IN
the scheme. leaves the impression OF strength 81
taste which the portrait as whole produces. The
portrait is a unit OF workmanship and design. and
holds It's place OF honor securely. That Mr.. Beck
vIths little study from the nude should have been
hung In close proximity seems TO US unfortunate
The pose selected is so awkward and ugly that Il
is comlcal, and the execution IS disappointing.
Mr. Beckwith strikes the keynote OF the exhibition
in matters OF portraiture. The sobrety OF his
tail canvas II repeater III 'i"''~'iiotD'' pvi-
trait OF the Rev. Or. Hastings. in Mr. John F.
Weir's portrait Of Professor Brush. Of Yale and
I'm the minor but clever calvases BY Mr.. Wles.
Mr. Rice and Mr.. Kelley The small portrait OF
Mr.. Colgate by Mr. Paul Moschowitz IS noticeable
for smoothness Of execution and for certain rich
ness OF tone. but the portraits IN vivacious keys
are few We may sgnallze the portrait Of a lady
by Mr. Cushing in the corridor which in its refined
color arrangement and It's touch OF elegance shows
much promise: the insipidly pretty portrait OF a
lady by Mr. Brdgman. in the south gallery. and
Mr.. Mosler's portrait OF his daughter. n canvas
too garish and hard. but not without some tech
meal ceverness
The landscape painters commonly make strong
wing at the spring Academy. but this year their
efforts have not been fruitful. The late William
l.. Picknelrs big French landscape. Banks OF the
LONG," is perhaps the most important thing
shown The composition IS simple and broad.
wearing an air OF argeness and force. The color
IS a trife too heavy and grainy as was apt 70 be
the case with Pickne but the picture Ia homo
geneous. It's light and atmosphere were treated
with understanding. and the work IL mature. COM
handing respect and admiration. There are other
landscapes similarly ambitious Ike Mr. McCord's
Craig Dhu" or Mr.. Legh's Sunlight In tho
Woods" but the only fine production In this group
OF large studies is THE Hills Beyond BY MI
Shurtlef This is free and peculiarly sincere I'M
preston Of a beautiful scene. the LEAKAGE Is paint
ed with feeling well with ability. and tho
sentiment OF the picture remains in tho mind per-
suasveiy Mr.. Chase sends two more OF his Long
Island landscapes. and their bright note is moro
than welcome Mr. Hassams impressionis,io
"Springtme' is hit of with some delicacy as re-
CARDS the light but the broad effect is mora sus-
gestive Of the pigments employed than Of the
theme attacked. OF Mr.. Twachtman tho Same
may be said. In both his csnvases-one OF them
figure piece-as in Mr. Hassam's park scene. the
medium of the artist gets between his idea and his
public II is plain that both these men desired TO
set certain truths upon canvas They have come
near 10 accomplishing their object But they have.
In the excitement OF their quest omitted 10 leave
the smallest vein Of charm in their work Inc
best landscapes at the Academy, as at the Society
OF American Artists. are the ones in which a con-
servatve taste and conservative methods are re-
fected We find nothing startling In the pictures
by Mr. Grippe ard Mr. Horatio Walker. Mr.. Gif-
ford and Mr. J. F.. Murphy Mr. REIN and MI
Smell, Mr. Ulrch. Mr.. Appleton Brown and Mr.
Homer Lee. but there is veracity and there -
pictorial quality.
Perhaps Mr. Ishar,'s Autumn" should have been
mentioned with the portraits. 1t Is a bold and
flowing study OF a heavy and yet comely type.
The figure painters body are weak Tho
panel by Mr. Barss, Morning" Is a facIe ara
plausible bit OF work but It is hardly more than
that and neither in Mr. Alden Weirs Figure with
Head Reflected in Mirror" nor in Mr.. Jones's brit
tls and mechanical picture called THE Breeze"
nor in The Injured Wing OF Mr. Witt. do we
encounter anything that IS at all vigorous or IN
terestlng. Mr.. George lnness, IT, sendS a !dIso
canvas THE Crucixion." which IS not without
It's picturesque points, but which IS empty, con-
sidering its scale. Mr.. Champneys nude. Love
VIII Have His Way" is neryeess and Intellectual
The Orange blossoms OF Mr. Smedley Is one OF
those designs which effective in the pages OK
O. magazine but upon which color and a large can
vas seem wasted. One passes from this 10 the
outdoor figure study by Mr. Alexander Harrison,
10 Mr. Shrlaw's I'm Church" 10 the head OF
negro by Mr.. Earle 10 the rugged note or southern
life by Mr.. Carr, TO Mr. Roseland's quaint darkes,
10 Mr. Browns familiar gamlns, and 1t Is regret
taby easy to leave picture for the next Tho
figure painters, repeat, are weak. with rev
exceptions. MI Abendschien IS one OF the few.
his picture Of old man. IN tho corridor. being
a forcble, lndividualiZed performance; and word
may be said for Mr. Gilbert Gauis snappy
sketches OF military types. Nr. Curran Is prepos-
sessing too II he is very serious. In his picture
Of children play upon the water. and the 'ldyN'
Of Mr. Hamilton commands attention through It's
warm color. The who stands head and
shoulders above al the others is Mr.. Robert Reid
His largo mural decoration. Dawn" IS, 10 begin
wi h. design OF considerable power. and II has been
painted in light opalescent colors, which MI tho
End OF the west gallery with animation and beauty.
The two 1.-THE figures are drawn with delightful
spirit the whole composition breathes movement
and INA and in sensuous appeal. In mere
grace OF line and radiance OF color Mr.. Reid shows
hat he has taken long step ahead. Before this
admirable painting may take leave OF the eX-
libition II will be opened 70 the public next Mon
lay morning and will remain open until May Il
including Sunday afternoons.