New-York tribune., 1899-12-30
AMERICAN PICTURES.
THE ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF THE
ACADEMY OF DESIGN.

ororters In the galleries of the Fine Arts
Building in Fifty-seventh-st. It is an interest
ing transition No doubt there is eagerness
among the acadcmicians for the creation of
heir new building on Morningside Heights; hut
In the mean time the disinterestCd observer
cannot help noting with pleasure the effect Of a
typical Academy display within walls accus-
toned &C. cther collections. Imagination, perhaps
piavs its part 0.ne exhibition Of American pct-
dres Is not so very unlike another. But the Ac&c-
eny would not he the Academy II it's exhibi-
tions did not wear aspect Of their own ana
there is a novel atmosphere in the Fine Arts
Building that is distinctly attractive. AFTER
many years. during which the Hanging COM
uittee has rad to do the best il could with un-
manageable wall spaces II is good TO see the
three hundred paintings contributed this season
nearly all placed with advantage TO themselves
and to the improvement of the ensemble
In one respect this exhibition repeats most OF
its predecessors In the same galleries-portrait-
ure fills in it a commanding position. The older
end the younger schools are both represented
the former by Mr. Daniel Huntington ana MI
Eastman Johnson. the latter hy Mr.. w n. Hyde
Mr. w ]. Rice and several others. In the first
gallery the latter artists provide the centres Of
the various long panels, and do SO. it may be
said in excellent fashion. Mr. RicNs portrait or
Mr. Beckwith. in his portrait of Dr Wood. gives
us some really exhilarating work. the modelling
Of the head is vigorous and so true, the whole
canvas has such vitality and freshness. In
similarly firm and realistic vein is Mr. Franzens
portrait Of William NJ. Evarts though in this
case a little more fexibility in the handling
would have heen welcome. There IS good flow
ing execution in the portrait study ~ Mr.. Won
Zaltba and Mr.. Hyde, In his Sylvia" the por-
.S,lyo| |v-ifb n ,,pr
ease and to a more pleasing end than in any
other canvas Of his we have seen OF late Mr.
Huntington's portrait of Carl Schurz painted in
his characteristic conservative manner. for the
Chamber of Commerce. occupies corner in
this room. and another is given 10 the large
canvas on which Signora Duse has been por-
trayed by her compatrot Eduardo GordigianL
This is persuasive study Of the famous actress.
The pose and the facial expression both seem
faithful interpretations of the original Tech
nically the portrait is uneven. There are some
creditable passages in the treatment of the dress
and the head is fairly well done but the paint
ing as a whole lacks harmony and the finish
that would have teen quite consistent with the
artists free style. To his father. by the way
is due the Page de Louis Kill" one Of the
most prominent portraits in the north gallery
In this production finish is carried 10 excess, but
II the spectator can ignore the polish which
gives meretricious effect he will derive more
agreeable sensation from the rendering Of the
textures in the hack OF the old chair. These
are painterlike IN the best of the term
and make us regret the more those too elegant
touches which have been lavished upon the face
and hair. The lraughtsmanship is correct pure
hut it is too mechanical and stiff. The labored
style is in sharp contrast 10 the breadth and
sodity Of Mr. Eastman Johnsons three por-
poio h,-a md Al
rectly across the long gallery.
Figure compositions are not very numerous.
Mr.. Barse. in THE Awakening" arrests atten-
tion by virtue OF his suggestive composition and
generally capable workmanship. but the shad-
ows are painted with somewhat dry. stac-
cato touch. and there unhealthy notes OF
color. both in the flesh and in the draperes
Mr.. ". st. John Harper, also, in The Silent
Snow" spos the effect Of a good design and
OF the light and air he has put into the work
by colors innocent Of quality. In fact. good
color. properly managed, is the one thing for
which we look in vain among the figure pieces.
Mr.. Schreyvogers spirited military subject and
Mr.. Gaurs interesting study In much the same
field would be among the best things in the show
II only their tones were not hard. And when
we find toerably good color It is damaged by
defects in other directions Witness Mr.. Has
SANS Flower Shop" which needs but TO have
more suave draughtsmanship and tones more
transparent TO become really charming paint
ing or Mr.. Bells engaging interior with harp
player. AT Twilight" wherein a scheme of
much delicacy and feeling is damaged by the
poor drawing Of the models profile Again. Mr..
John Donaghue's Sylvia" trembles on the brink
Of being an altogether satisfactory perform
arce-and does not quite fulfil the artists aim.
The wine-red drapery is painted with skill and
taste, the head and face with genuine feeling
but in just those points where subtlety and
tenderness are essential Mr. Donaghue appears
10 have been unable to shake off a certain
rgidity Of manner The only picture in which
design. atmosphere and draughtsmanship
fused into attractive unit is Mr. Millets
page from old English tavern life. THE Card
Players" This may have surfaces too glitter
ing but the effect is nevertheless artistic. be-
cause It Is harmonious and is secured obviously
by authoritative means.
There are several fine landscapes and sea
pieces. Among the former we note Mr. Apple
ton Browns winter scene. The Mill Pond; the
poetic Valley at Sunset" by Mr.. c. w. Eaton;
Mr. Ochtman's luminous Moonlight on the
Sound; the svery canvas by Mr. G. II. Eaton
Along the River: the picture OF "Hollyhocks."
into which Mr.. John F. Weir has poured some
exquisite sentiment well veracious color;
the small landscapes by Mr. Minor. Mr.. j. f.
Murphy and Miss PhGbe A. Bunker-to whom
the Norman w Dodge prize has deservedy
been given-and the sparkling Long Island
Road" In which Mr. Irving r. Wiles seems to
have put to good purpose hints gathered from
signor Boldini. An honorable mention should
he given 10 Mr. Beal's Training Ship Essex at
Newport" the treatment Of the rigging and Of
the water being uniformly spontaneous and
sure. But there are two other sea pictures
which, with one landscape. should have a place
apart. The first Of these is Mr.. g. II. Bogert's
Approaching Storm" which might. perhaps
never have existed II Dupre had not lived 10
give the artist some Ideas the subject, but
ts f,t1 and