New-York tribune., 1899-02-11
ART EXHIBITIONS.
MONET, BEsNARD AND ROBIN AT THE
UNION LEAGUE CLUB-THE ARCHl-
TECTURAL LEAGUE AND THE
AMERICAN WATER COLOR
SOCIETY - MINOR

MATTERS.

MAITEES.
The exhibition at the Union League Club this
month contains thirteen paintings by CLAUDE Monet.
These make an interesting group. but they would
be more welcome IL they added to the impression
received from the Monet exhibition held at the
Iotos Club ten days ago. As II Is, the examples
brought forward upon this occasion have, on ,he
whole more and no less value than their preue
cessors Boats the Seine at Argenteuh ana
"Argenteuil Boats River Scene'-both are notable
for sparkling light: The Stream, Early Spring, Is
in n tender and almost charming vein; there IL
some rich fruity color in the Flowers. and Ihe
Cliffs Faaise" is excellent in its suggestion OF the
freshness and animation OF breezy day. put 'he
Monte Carlo" the Autumn and the EarH
Summer Gverny." have all the defects which we
recently discussed at length There Is nothing III
this collection Of Monets. indeed. which justihes
renewal OF that discussion The seven or eight
fancy portrait panels by Besnard are also ra'her
uninspirng. One OF these. The Dying year. mas
a certain decorative piquancy and all OF the paint
ings show technical strength and some originality
OF style. NJ Bernard models his heads aomiraDy
and his treatment OF light IS effective. we ma
him however in these somewhat overcolored can
vases too much OF a technican, too SOUL
less painter. In fact. the only things that MAKE
this exhibition worth while are the two pieces or
sculpture by Rodin-a marble Eve IN Despair
and bronze bust OF "St. John Preaching. lhese
productions bear the stamp OF genius. The style Is
and profound NJ. Monet and NJ. Besnard fail TO
make much sympathy but no one could remain IN
different to the tragic beauty OF the Eve or 10
the power and dignity of the ST. John.
The fourteenth annual exhibition OF the Archi-
tecturaI League opens at the Fine Arts Building
to-day. It will remain open. day and evening"
until March T. There Will DC private vie" TO-
day at the American Water Color Society an
nual exhibition at the Academy Of Design. The
public opening is set for next Monday. The ex-
hibition lasts until March H. Comment on both
these exhibitions Is deferred.
The smaller galleries uptown are all hung with
new things. At the Messrs Tooths there may be
seen a dozen landscapes executed in the last two
years by Mr. r. w Ranger. His style has gained
in frmness and authority. his color Is richer. and
his spiritual quality has deepened. His indebted
ness to the Barbizon school is still obvious as
witness THE Den" but this very picture has been
painted with 20 much native power and with 50
fine a feeling for sensuous beauty that we can
easily forgive the suggestion Of Rousseau which 1t
contains. The truth is that If Mr.. Ranger recalls
the great Frenchman 1t is in no initiative manner.
On the contrary. the lasting merit of his work. its
truth. its sympathy. its rich and sometimes radiant
color must be attributed to his powers. The
Barbizon pointed out the way. He has fol-
lowed with wise humility. and every year has
strengthened his hold upon the essentials OF land
scape art.
NJ. Aphonse Jongers. the French portrait painter
who brought from his home. In Montreal. the six
teen canvases now exhibition at the Durand-
Ruc gallery, has valuable qualities which are at
present obscured by his addiction to sombre.
even muddy. tolal scheme. which with the light
ing Of some OF his portraits, seems borrowed from
the Dutch masters. That he does not need TO lean
the old traditions is plain enough from the cool.
silve-y tones which he has imported into his por-
tIa AL, ,lI tal-
ity of the small portrait OF child. No. 2. Miss
AdamL" That nc could give his originality free
play IS further shown by analysis Of his workman
ship. His heads are modelled with equal freedom
and force. and they are ell full OF character
Ultimately he will win conspicuous rank II he Will
only put fresher and more varied light into his
work. and purify his tone. especially where the
flesh tints concerned. In the time he
commands respect. for his art has sincere feeling
and. IN spite OF its defects. conveys an impression
OF spontaneous vlgor This is particularly notice
able in occasional passages of nervous, decisive
brushwork
At the Keppel Gallery there is a complete collec-
tion OF etchngs by Anders Zorn, the set OF thirty
plates exhibited here six years ago having
been doubled Zorns style has always had moro
Of the quality OF an illustrator in black and white
than OF etcher pure and simple. but he has
abundant spirit and cleverness. With the etchings
there shown three water-colors and four
portraits In oils.
The Avery Gallery displays twoscore pictures OF
military and naval subjects by Mr.. Rufus +. Zog
baum. ..... Mr. George Busse exhibits a number OF
paintings by Mr.. Hermann Fuechsel......A the
Macbeth Gallery there some paintings in oil
and water colors by Mr.. II. NJ. Rosenberg.
Circulars have been received for the spring ex-
hibtion at the Academy. Exhibits will be received
on March IA and 15 The galleries at the Academy
Of Design will be opened to the public on Monday
April 3, and will close Saturday May 49,
We may note that the Clarke. collection Of Amer
lean paintings at the American Art Galleries will
only be view for short time longer. The
sale begins next Tuesday night.
MITCTC