The times., 1899-11-12

on which the figure is reclining and give
the one bright note Of color to the compost
tion.
No. >, oddly called "A Nude Back" is
another complete nude. one OF those photo
graphically exact studies of an apparently
impossible position which, TO all but pro-
fessionals. stands for bad drawing. This
reminds the student of the unwisdom of
painting anything from life which must
be accompanied by afIidavits to prevent the
casual observer from carrying away the
impression Of bad drawing or a drawing
made from some deformity.
No 81, Study OF Movement for Per
trait is az interesting sketch of a three
quarter female figure in classic costume.
The head. with its wreath of red roses.
alone is accented, and is very lovely in
color. The background of grey paper is un-
touched and the figure melts away delight
fully iE5C TIE grey. A simple and appar-
emily rapid sketch, but not necessarily
rapid, for nothing is more misleading than
these rough-looking things with their
I coarse crayOn strokes. One can never tell
bow long the painter paused before max
ing the line which one finds so fascinating
4 1t may appear to have been made with one
monetary stroke. while more likely il was
made at a snail's pace, and with the ut
4 most caution
/ Pupils are continually being deceived by
this mistaken Interpretation OF drawing
+ II is iar safer to remember the accuracy
and taste With which line is drawn. and
forget that il seemed to have been done
+ quickly and easily.
No. 45. Study, Head Of Manon Las
caulJ a life-size head in charcoal is one
of the very bzst things shown. 1t is simple
/ to the last degree, and free from stomp
Z rHnrr -frHeH -.-f-
+ drawing
suggestions for the student.
From this drawing the student may learn
how and quite as much as anything
shown here. the reason why Mr.. Beckwith
. is regarded as one Of the very first teach
ers in America To Mr. Beckwith. as much
as anyone perhaps, is due the great success
Ihat the Ar Students League in New York
has mel with since its organization many
years ago.
How attractive a picture may be made in
few HCsh-cClored pastels may be seen
in the Nude Boy" No. 10. This is a har-
mCny in pure youthful flesh tints, high
keyed and delicate. This Beckwith collec-
tion offers the student an opportunity fCr
valuable lessons such as is not likely to
occur again very soon. and to that part Of
the public which cares for choice and truly
artistic work. this exhibition should appeal
particularly. It is TO be hoped that art
lovers here viii not fail to see this colIec-
tiCn OF drawings. The exhibition will re-
main open until the 18th
There is perhaps nothing more exasper-
at-ag to the earnest painter of ability who
is struggling 10 get a living and racogni-
ioa-and there are not a few Of them here
in this good town-than the advent Of some
man with the costIiest gold frames On
paintings entirely barren of artistic merit
IL is humiiiatlng 10 hear people speak Of
these same pictures in glowing terms and
tip-toe before them with rs much rever-
euce as one might expect them to show
before The Sistine Madonna.
The leading hotels here deal most kindly
with the artist guest who desires TO show
MS work ia their paTlors. The question of
IT'S quality is rarely considered In the
Darlors OF one Of the most prominent of
these hotels. the writer came unexpectedly
upon TWO pictures which have created quite
little Iurore among a group of well-mean-
iIg and cultivated people, who however
pretend 10 no knowledge Of art matters
but Nno declare they know what they like
These pictures We're placed there for pub
lie inspection. and therefore come vi hin
the range OF newspaper criticism These
two oil paintings, the larger one about
30 by IS inches in size. are by a new man
the word is used advisedly, artist would be
F Inaccurate One Of these a scene in Cairo.
is too bad for any comment The other
calls for q protest. This picture is ex-
plotted in most magnificent fashion in this
splendid hotel. IL has a sumptuous gold
frame velvet lined shadow box, and is sur
rounded by expensive and very handsome
draperies. The whole is superbIy lighted
in spectacular "TTilby- -Fatima" fashion.
Artists sometimes speak Of this sort Of
setting TO a picture as tricky" but the
writer firmly believes in the appropriate
ness of such a setting and lighting where
the picture shown is masterpiece. and
deserving of the Importance thus given it,
But careful observation OF this canvas
reveals no redeeming quality Il is an
instance Of playing 10 the galleries mas
much as il is fun OF red, very slich. and
go-geously framed.
The picture represents some place on
the Scottish coast. The sun setting across
a rocky-shored bay The waves curious
ly do not lCCk ike water bur do very
much resemble floating mist as the writer
once saw it at sunrise from a mountain
top In western North Carolina. The misfit
sun I'D this picture is several sizes too
large. The red clouds are cheap and the
atrical while the sun rays. the only natur-
al thing about the picture. are as regular
as the spokes in new wagon wheel.
There is an island with steep sides rising
from the water which is, though presum-
ably rocky, as free from geological forma-
tiCn or suggestion as a jeily-hsh II re-
sembIes a bunch Of cigars on which a
scoopfuiI of sugar has been dumped pic
turesqueIy The writer never before heard
Of This man or his work and does not feel
/ cordially toward him for obvious reasons.
There cannot be too MANY good artists
here and the writer viii welcome with
the strongest praise AT his command
any painter who viii come here with work
that is meritogious. No words viii be zoo
strong and ne may be sure of ha,terng
attention from the guild, and, Furthermore,
Do III recorded. his plush and huge gold
frames will not disturb his brothers Of the
brush providing OF course. his pictures
justly H. JAMES HENRY MOSER