New-York tribune., 1900-05-17
LONDON ART.
MR. SARGENTS MASTERLY PORTRAIT
GROUP.SOME OF THE GEMS OF
THE ACADEMY EXHIBITION.
London. May 8.


has been seen at Burlington House for many
years They have not attracted the group OF
Scotch portrait painters and landscape artists
whose work bears the impress Of French train
ing and original power; but they have brought
American works well to the front and have
produced statuary and paintings Of their own
which of high order of excellence. The
sculpture is particularly varied and strong In
the quadrangle outside is Mr. OnsIow Ford's
well proportioned figure of the late Maharajah
of Mysore. lifted high in the air massive
PEDESTAL: and in the central hall is his statue OF
Professor Huxley philosopher and warrior In
this statue are happily combined the gravity of
the rejecting sage and the aggressive spirit OF
the keen controversialist and independent think
er Mr.. Pomeroy's statue of Admiral Blake is
an ambitious and powerful work. and there is
a good group near by in MIR. Swans puma and
macaw. In the central hall and lecture room
there nearly one hundred and fifty examples
of British sculpture-the best display OF this
branch of art which has been witnessed for
long period.
Among the most conspicuous objects in the
lecture hall the marble effigy of the late
Dean Vaughan. by Mr.. Goscombe John; the
tomb Of the late Lord Leighton. designed by Mr.
Thomas Brock for St. Paurs Cathedral: Mr..
Horace Montford's bronze statue Of Psyche and
the easket of Venus two strong figures by Mr.
Pomeroy and Mr.. Pegram-the "Spearman'' In
bronze and Fortune in marble: baptismaI
font by Mr.. Albert Gilbert. and Adam and Eve"
by Mr.. Arthur c. Walker. TO illustrate the line
and they afraid There are busts OF
Lord Roberts. the Duke of Norfolk and the late
Duke of Devonshire. and there is a sketch model
of Archbishop Plunket. by Mr.. Harris Thorny-
croft. The statuettes are unusually graceful
and spirited, the heavy handed English sculp-
tors suddenly showing signs Of becoming lighter
in touch and method. There is an excellent
model for altar frontal for a school chapel
with the Last Supper. designed by Mr.. George
Wilson in the conventional way. but executed
with strength and spirit
From the central hall the largest gallery
opens with large portrait group of the royal
family at Windsor on the opposite wall: but
there are some things which even the Queen
cannot command. Mr.. Orchardson has painted
a most excellent and hornelike picture of four
generations of royalty with the Queens great
grandson toddling across the floor with bou-
quet to present to her, while the Prince OF
Wales looks on. and the Duke Of York bends
over the child The group is solidly and truth
fully painted; but the spectators attention Is
diverted from ii when he crosses the threshold
allow him TO lock at anything else in the large
galery--not even at the royal company. This
is Mr.. Sarsent's group Of three sisters Lady
Elcho. Mrs. Adeane and Mrs. Tennant. and the
portrait Of their mother b. famous hand IL
is large painting in the place of honor on the
side wall. and it's right to pce-en,inenee cannot
be challenged. II is a nasterpiece of the art
of portrature IL this or in any other age-a tour
de force Of marvellous power. amazing brush
work and harmony of cOloring.
The color scheme OF this great work is one
Of val rio Of uEjs
TUNES of the ladies white. ard the wall be-
hind them is dull green and there a cushion
of the same color sioe; and in the oppo-@
site corner there is eurnp OF huge white fow
with dark green foliage. The white drap-
cries varied in tinting that each costume
has tone Of It's owr: and the green's are most
artisticaly blended the 6arSest hue being IN
the costume of the por,rait hanging the wall
in the background. The posing of the figures
is perfect in vvidness and grace. The three
ladies are seated. the youngest with arms flung
bacl, in restful relaxation her companion on the
divan bending forward in attitude OF eager
attention and animation. and the third looking
on from a chair behind them with languid In
terest. These figures ali have the breath Os
life. for the blood is pulsatng to the fingers
tips; and character goes with the vitality. for
with subtle power the faces reveal refinement OF
nature, high bred distinction Of manner and IN
dividual pecuiarities and traits. The lighting
Of the group is wonderfully managed. The light
is thrown dagonally across The room so as TO
brighten the dull gilt frames of the pictures
the wall and to illumine the faces as we'll as
vary the tones of the costumes. One OF these
pictures is the famous portrait of Mrs. Percy
Wyndham. which painted by Mr.. Watts
Mr. Sargents art has had no greater triumph
than in this marvellous portrait group No
American who crosses the Atlantic this season
should neglect to spend hour before it. even
if he sees nothing else in the galleries. Two
hours viii be better than
On the same wall with this masterpiece OF
the exhibition is Mr. watts's Return OF Co
diva" with the fair lady sinking into the arms
OF helpful maidens. while the horse from which
she has dismounted is held II is beautiful in
color but the drawing is weaker than ii has
been in MIR. Wattss work A companion pict-
ure. romantic in subject and treatment. IS Mr..
dragon in the foreground. the knight PROSTATE
and the maiden bending him. while beyond
is the blue sea. There is tiny sketch by Sir
L. Ama-Tadema. Goldfish with the beauties
Of marble surfaces and draperies matched by
the loveiiness of flowers. which he always paints
with exquisite refinement. There is an aca-
demic picture. Water Babies" by Sir Z. J.
Poynter. with a pair of Mr.. Hooks luminous
marines by. and further on one Of Mr..
Peter Grahams cliff scenes with sea birds. One
Of the most vivid and charming works in the ex-
hibition is Mr.. Gregory's "Apres" with brilliant
effects of color in costume and fine modelling in
the woman's figure. A good foil for this spirited
work is Mr.. La Thangue's Dawn with its low
tones of color.
On the opposite wall the centre is occupied by