The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-12-17
AROUND THE GALLERIES.
Etchings and Pastels by Paul e. Heaieu
a Durand.Rueis.

Opportunity has been taken from Mr..
Heleu's present visit To this country 10
arrange an exhibition of some Of his pastels
and dry-point etchings at Dur ind-Ruels
Gallery. There are one or two examples
here (notably a portrait Of the Duchess of
Marlborough Of his sketches in paste
which have been executed with rapidity
and reflect the fervor of immediate and
concentrated enthusiasm which inspired
them. Rut there H. also a portrait IN which
the medium has been carried 10 its farthesi
point Of expression. securing a delicately
luxurious tonality Of faded colors. IL II
fanked by two flower studies of white and
pale blue hydran geas, quite exquisite n
tone and otherwis, interesting ms repre-
senting a subject that NJ. Hellou rarely
attempts.
For he IL almost exclusively identified
with portraiturc and figure subjects, al
though that he has a keen vision For the
beauty Of other objects may be SEGA from
the way IN which he will occasionally intro
duce them as accessories; and always with
delightful realization OF their character
is,ics and with n surprising economy Of
means. The etching of lady in bed. hold
ing n cup to her lips. "Femm" la Tasse
Is a = riking instance Of this; for the cup Is
represented only by a contour line. which,
however, is no true that the ru,uadity OF
the object ana even the purity Of its white
surface are fully suggested. In the placing
Of the arms and hands above the edge Of
the coverlet he has secured also a s'rikingly
handsome arrangement Of line: "A charsc-
terisJ.c that more or less prevails ii all these
etciangs.
Even when they are portraits. they repre-
sent rather a mood Of fcmininty. and
always OF mos refined type, senSitivcly
modern one. with grace o! expression
at least and very often of facial beauty
also. The mood. moreover, IL fiecting
one; II Is exhibited generally In some pose
or ge 'ture momcntarilv assumed and ac-
comparied, one might imagine, by an ex
clanation or fash Of thought upon tho
subjects part; and. before the echo OF il
has died away, be artist has seized and re-
corded the impression. II l., therefore,
IN the resulting sponiareity Of expression,
~ well a. In the grace Of gesture, that -
much of The charm of these dry-y ort~
consists Then, again In the discrimira-
ton with which salient phases Of the sub
Ject have heon selected, IN the assurance
With which they are rendered and In IN"
pregnancy OF the stroke. Sometimes i
gives an Indication only, lucid aud sug
Ccstive AZ other times l. emphasizes by
elaboration. Particularly l. this the case
In the treatment Of the hair; In the rendering
Of it, softness and profu-ion, and again in
the luxurious texture and massivencss Of q
feathered boa or hat. or In the sleek Carcss
of a velvet band around the throat The
richness Of the blacks III these accom-
paniments is fun Of charm. and the spovr
Of these emphatic passages upon the field
Of white paper, skilfuliy balanced with IN"
sketchier parts Of the composition, add
the final touch Of artistry to the whole
print II IL a reflex. no doubt, Of Japanese
Influence, tinctured with 'he osPr,t Of Paris.