New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-09
LONDON ART.
ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF THE ROYAL.
ACADEMY.

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There is a large output Of Industry in every
branch OF art. the catalogue containing 1857
entries. and all but nine Academicians and Asso-
ciates exhibiting examples OF their work; but no
English artist has succeeded in surprising his
previous achievement, and the average Is lower
than f. has been for several years. There Is no
sIngle work which WIZ be remembered on ac.
count OF exceptional distinction Of style or Gre.
alive power. The best pictures are either por.
traits or landscapes. and in either branch OF art
the present exhibition Is inferior to last years
show.
The place Of honor in the largest gallery is oc-
cunjed by Mr. Herkomer's Jubilee picture. and
It deserves the distinction on artistic as we'll az
patriotic grounds. 1t represents with nne spirit
group OF Crimean veterans OF the Guards
cheering the Queen during the Jubilee process
sion. The platform is festooned with wreaths
and draped with flags. and high above the heads
of the old soldiers doves are 1uttering. On ons
side Is n golden haired child with her hands
filed with bright flowers her white frock and
freshness OF color contrasting with the vivid
scarlet uniforms and grizzed hair and boards Of
the veterans The old soldiers are drawn with
strength OF line and genuine sentiment There
Is pathos In their soderly attitude, their bent
form. and their time stained but earnest faces
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cheering the Queen. This Is the best Of the
Jubilee pictures thus far seen and IL Will prob
ably be purchased at once under the Chantrey
beouest and transferred to the Tate Gallery
after the present exhibition comes to an end.
A less successful Jubilee picture is Mr. Solo
mons ION the Threshold Of the City" in which
The Lord Mayor In his splendid robes Is exhib-
tied on n well groomed horse With his stan
around him awaiting the coming OF the Queen
| There are more military pictures in the CALLER
les than have been seen at any annual exhibit
ton for a long time; but there Is no real EVIL
dence that English artists have begun 10 rival
French painters In this branch OF work The
best battle scene is Mr.. Ernest Crofts's diploma
work entitled ITO the Rescue, illustrating an
incident OF civil war. but t is soft in colorns
and lacks the vivid realism OF the French school.
Another example by the same hand presents
Charles II at Whiteladies after the battle OF
Worcester. Mr.. r. Cation Woodve has an in.
spiring subject In The Cock OF the North"
with the storming OF Darga Heights by the
Gordon H.ghlandcrs. but the picture is artificial
in composition Other battle scenes are the last
stand at Gundamuck and an incident OF Water
loo but they are lifeless and without movement.
The English profess 10 be one OF the military
nations Of the modern world. but their art doe,
no. reveal any real sympathy with the storm
and stress OF war. Such success Mr.. Herko-
mer achieves this year Is won not In battle. but
In holiday parade, with the pathos OF old age IN
strong relief
AN ENGLISH PAINTER OF PEAsANTRY.
There is one English artist. however who 10
competing successfully with French painters IN
illustrating the toilsome life OF the peasantry.
This is Mr.. La Thsngue. whose work shows
great strength in drawing and composition and
q poetic sympathy with the pathos 81 toll. His
"Nightfall" reveals two women. one old and the
other young returning from the labors Of hsr:
vestng II Is subdued In color: the dull
landscape is painted with gravity and dignity.
and the tones OF fading light are ar!stically
managed. Another canvas entitled Braeken'
presents with wonderful realism an old peasant
woman. whose toilsome life can be read In every
line OF her withered face. A Sussex Cider
Press" IS a characteristic South Country scenA
admirably painted. Mr.. La Thangue's besr can
vas IS "Harvesters at Supper" freight scene
In the open air with group Of toilers There Is
coarseness OF feature with the dulness which
comes from continuous labor In the fields Mr..
La Thangue is steadily improving in technique.
and Is rapidly acquiring the distinction OF being
one ~ the most intense and realistic painters in
England.
Mr.. Watts has a large canvas entitled Low
Triumphant" which reveals his Incompatible
skill as a draushtsman and his best qualities as
a colorist OF the Venetian school. Mr.. Abbey has
Of the best places in the galleries for his
King Lear" which. while less brilliant than
his Richard ILL.," Is a splendid example Of his
pictorial power as an illustrator on canvas. The
picture represents the leave taking in the first
act when the line occurs: "Ye jewels OF our
father. with washed eyes Cordela leaves YOU"
The figures OF the three sisters are finely drawn
the color scheme Is harmonious. and the action
dramatic. Mr.. Alma Tadema has only one pct-
ure. but II is a perfect example OF his art II -
The Conversion OF Paula" with a fine contrast
in the faces OF sensuous pleasure-ov'ns
woman and the serene saint. whose hand Is up
lifted heavenward. The saint Is not conven-
tional one. because he is richly att!red In blue
and brown robes 10 match Paua's purple drs-
peries: but there is artistic harmony OF color.
with marble surfaces and tracery OF vines
with ripe grapes in the foreground and the blue
sea beyond.
DRAMA OF THE SEA
Mr. Napier Henry has another Of his dramas
OF the sea full Of action and realism II Is I'M
equal 10 "Pilchards" which one OF the gems
OF last years exhibition but II Is a strong WORK.
with "Wreckage" as the theme ard group OK
fishermen as the actors. tong with cordage A'u
anchors. Better water painting is seldom seen
except In Mr. Peter Graham's cliff pictures with
seabirds. OF which he has two excellent exam
pies in this exhibition. Mr. Stanley Forbes mas
a strong picture with a commonplace theme IL
is entitled The Letter" and reveals ia'''"
group eagerly listening to a letter which the de.
parting postman has delivered. The enec'S VI
light from the door and windows are adm'ao'
produced. .7,.
A more charming work is Mr.. Boughton's Inv
Road TO Cameot' with poetic interpreta''o"
OF the dream In The Lady Of Shalot. An.
group Of market girls is in the foreground anu