New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-16

with, has been prepared by clever hands. E@;A
artist is given a brief biography, with such otaer
matter interviewer might be expected TO increase
the interest the general reader In the chapter
on Fortuny for example there anecdotes taken
from various sources which give the pages IN
usual value. The recollections OF Mr.. stewart
which have been incorporated with the biography
make delightful reading That man or taste IL
may be added, terms Of CHI farming intimacy
with the men whose pictures he bought. That IS
one reason why his collection is good. 1t speaks
OF personal enthusiasms. OF warm personal sym
pathies The reader may feel certain that not one
picture described in this catalogue was purchased
without definite Not all the pictures are
masterpieces. But not of them Is worthless.
There l2s pictures entered in the catalogue.
In the volume devoted to the reproductions there
l2S plates. Thus the collection may be studied
in its homogeneity. 1t reveals catholic taste, IN
spite of the prepondcrance Of Spanish art MI
Stewart was devoted to Fortuny and he collected
ardently the works of those SpaniarGs and Italians
who have worked in kindred veins. Martin Rico
Giovanni Bodlni, Michetti and De Nittis But
there are three paintings by Baudry in this COL
lection souvenirs of a who stands at the very
opposite pole from Fortuny or Boldini and Side by
side with the dazzling qualities Of the Southerners
and the classical style of the Frenchmcn you note
the modest. eegiac art of Bonvin the poetic ten
derness of Corot and the rugged breadth Of Adolf
Menzel. In short; Mr.. Stewart looked out through
many windows upon the art Of his time. and this
catalogue has permanent value illustrating
the kind Of collecting possible In the latter half Of
the nineteenth century. Such matters arc not al
ways TO be studied with ease Collections are dis
persed, and nothing is left tell what was
most characteristic OF the collector In particular
age We make shrcwd guesses. but We cannot
be sure This catalogue makes sure of at least
one man. showing how good taste and careful judy
ment were employed in the adornment Of his homo.
The number of the Fortunys-there are twenty-five
ca;alogued-taken together with the considerable
group made by Rico, Boldni and few others,
connoisseur. but impartial study of his collec-
ton Will remove this impression. a little more
the merits Of the Illustrations to this catalogue.
They are photographers. made by the Elson Com
IN ali Ti that reacs 10 the Of vaGe
and textures The pictures give not only G9Ap,rIe
They have been well printed and mounted a fine
paper has been employed ana t6 e %
32j numbered copies.
The Stewart collection will be exhibition at
the American Art Galleries from January p to
February 3, when the auction sale Will be begun
at Chickerng Hall. concluding on the following
evening. AS soon after that date as possible tho
galleries will be hung with tho collection Of thirty
six French and English paintings formed by Mr..
william H. Fuller. These will be sold at CHECKER
ing Hall on the evening of February Is. Mr.. Full
ler's collection was deliberately described in The
League Club some ONE five or six years ago Ii is
small but choice and contains some beautiful OK
amplcs OF the school generally known as that or
1890 A large TrCyon and Rousseau of similarly
imposing dimensions came from the Secretan coli
lection Mr. Fuller one OF the first collectors
in America TO pay attention TO the portrait paint
ers and landscapists OF the last century in Eng
land. and In illustration OF these men he has some
interesting examples
The break in the ranks of the Society Of Ameri-
can Artists calls for comment. but there IS
really nothing 10 be said about the matter. The |
seceders will be missed but they Will show their
pictures elsewhere and that Is all the public need
about The condition Of the Society Of Amcri-
Artists has for some time been provocative OF !
adverse criticism. The first shows were better than
the shows to-day. But. while clques have pre- |
sumaby done much to accomplish the change IL ia |
doubtful II curtailment OF their influence would |
the seceders perhaps imagine. bring back the |
wonted strength Of the organization That strength
has been ntfuly potent. because the American |
school in general has been fitfuy competent. We |
have not enough men to go around when comes |
10 repeating the earlier shows OF the society. OF
course, 1t might be said. the seceders have more
or less explicitly stated. that Of the new !
corners might be dropped. But II Is pertinent to |
SIX II this would really leave the yearly exhibitions
any the stronger We doubt IT, All things change. |
and the society IS passing through n stage OF |
transition. Ii does no harm for group OF painters
to leave II al this time. They only repeating |
history. Every art society has been abandoned by |
restless members, and the latter In turn, have
been abandoned by their ASSOCIATED.