New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-13
LONDON NOTES.
Il Mediocre 4cademy-Dutch Art
-Wagner IN Epcelsis-

Mr.. Sargent who has been dominating the
Academy during recent years. has not left his
colleagues to shift for themselves this season
He is more Tnerciful than has been his naolt'
for, while he is represented by six works, he IS
quieter and more academic, and has no portrait
groups and It is possible TO look at other pict-
ures in the same galleries. His portrait OF
Lady Evelyn Cavendish does not overpower the
portrait of Mrs Anseu by Mr.. J. J. Shannon.
which hangs close by separated from IL oy
Mr.. J. ". Warehouses; thoroughly academic
echo and Narcissus." One portrait is as vital
as the other. and each is painted with definite
purpose and perfection of technique. Mr. Sar-
gents subject is taken at three-quarters length,
the black gown coming out Of a gray back
ground, and the high light touching the chains
of pearls and jewelry in the lace and the me
tallic ornaments of the antique table upon which
the hand rests. Mr.. Shannon's Mrs. Ansell.
with auburn hair and blue gown, is an ad-
mIrable foil for the dark haired Lady Evelyn
Cavendish. Mr.. Sargent's portrait of Mrs Jo-
seph Chamberlain has more of his bold brush
work, but it is not one Of his swagger pictures.
This. too, is a three-quarters length, the cos
tune light blue with blends of gray and white,
the face Illuminated with smile, the pose one
Of quiet dignity, and the hand toying grace
fully with a fan. The portrait has charm rather
than power, and II does not overshadoW rival
works in the same gallery, notably Mr. Shan
mons strongly modelled and admirably painted
portrait Of Mrs. Henri Riviere in black lace
gown, with face and neck ex4uisitely shaped
IN light out of a dark background. with dull
tones of red. Mr. Sargent's pair of portraits in
the fourth gallery-Mrs. Philip Agnew and Mrs
julius Wernher-are searching character
studies. pulsating with vitality and brilliant
II color schemes, but the brushwork indicates
Improvisation that is almost too rapid. He has
portraits of the Earl of Cromer and Mr.. G.
McCorquodaIe in the eighth gallery but neither
is as strong as his fine portrait Of Lord Ribbes-
dale in last years Academy. While the Sar-
gents are less ambitious and certainly less
overpowering than in previous years. the Shan
mons are more varied and resourceful. Mr..
Shannon's portrait Of Lord Vernon, one Of the
coronation pages, is a charming work. and his
portrait Of Miss Beale has the strength and
dignity Of serene old age. His portrait OF Miss
Ducie Laurence-smith. with dog. is the best
example of child painting in the Academy, and
his portrait Of Mrs. Lazarus and daughter is a
brilliant work in drawing and color scheme
While this is not a Sargent Academy, It Is
an average exhibition, with most Of the veterans
a little below their usual level. Mr.. Watts has
a single picture. "A Parasite" with vigorous.
luxuriant green creeper coiling about a huge
trunk and strangling its life-one Of the TRACE
dies Of the forest under 8, blue sky. depicted
with stern realism Sir Edward Poynters
Cave of the Storm NyHphs' is one OF his
carefully elaborated academic pieces, with re-
fined drawing of the nude and general sense
Of classic dignity Sir L. AiIna-Taderna has
single work of exceptional delicacy, Silver Fa-
vorites' with group of three uaidens IN pink
purple and green draperies, looking at tiny fish
in a marble basin. The blue sea is in the back
ground, and the beauty of marble textures and
tones is indicated with unerring skill Mr.
Abbey's -pourri' is interior, with roses
in baskets, on sheets spread on the floor and
heaped upon a table. and four women charm
ingIy grouped 1t is fresh work on unconven-
tional lines and has charm of color, if not per
lection of draughtsnanship- Mr.. richardson's
single work represents Mrs Siddons in the
studio of Sir Joshua Reynolds with arms out
stretched in theatrical gesture while a group
of spectators. painted with no lack of vivacity,
enjoys this inprornptu hit Of stage business
Mr. Eoughton rises above his usual level IN his
picture of Imogen n boys clothes, hating with
sword drawn before the cave Of Belartus-a
striking work, painted with delicate grace and
vigor withal There Is g, charming Bouguereau,
''Prnternps,' in the largest gallery; Mr. Dcksee
has one of his overcolored academic duets; Mr..
waterhouse has pink Psyche peering into
golden box; Mr.. E. J. Gregory has vivacious
.eRediviva =" with rischievous girl n7asquerad-
ing IN her great-grandmother's wedding dress:
Mr. Marcus Stone has 4 sentimental girl in
white looking out over the sea for her lovers
ship: Mr.. Henry s. luke shows how well he can
draw N a realistic group entitled The Stow
away" and Mr.. Crofts attempts the impossible
In reproducing the stateliness and solemnity OF
Queen Victoria's funeral
There are few surprises in this long tier Of
galleries. Veterans and newcomers are alike in
conventional tranmels. and no painter seems to
be inspired by creative impulses In the first
gallery there is lovely bit Of drawing ana
color in Mr. ] NJ Swans Iris" with yellow
and white draperies flung against the blue sea,
and the birds lowering about the graceful
eirIish figure treading with light feet among
flowers. Mr. Napier Henry's stirring sea
drama. Youth and Mr. Watson Nicols com
nonplace portrait Of the German Emperor.
painted for the United Service Club, are in the
next gallery Mr.. Charles ". Furse's portrait
of Lord Charles Beresford is full Of vitality, and
does Justice to one Of the few salt water heroes
of the British navy. Mr.. Macbeth's In the
Srnugglers' Mist IS a picturesque work. with
a well drawn girl in red and blue peering anx-
iously seaward among the cliffs. Mr. Val
prinsep's combination Of dull reds in "Fene-
tan Women After Their Days Work" lacks
beautv. and Mr. stanhope Forbes ie less brill
liant than is his habit in the dull. low toned
outdoor scene entitled ''Nomads" Mr.. Adrian
Stokes has grim autumn scene in the noun
tains with a touch of individuality. and Mr..
Ia Thangue and Mr. Edward Stott. who
not making as rapid progress as their admirers
have boned for have characteristic bracken
and cleaning pictures The Hon. John Collier
has a strong work in 1.-THE Prodgafs Daughter"
and NJ. Alfred East divides with Mr. Alfred
Parsons and Sir E. waterlow the honors in