New-York tribune., 1903-03-08
TWO PORTRAIT PAINTERS.
Exhibitions by Mr. Chase and Miss Beaux

In a collection OF twenty portraits, which he has
placed On exhibition at the Knoedler Gallery, MI
William II. Chase gives Illuminating account
Of his art Several Of these portraits we have seen
before they had not served, as the present e1-
hIbItion serves. to emphasize certain important
points in the painters development. One realizes,
what one might easily have overlooked. that here
is veteran who preserves beyond the usual meas
ure. not simply the surface facility Of we'll
trained craftsman. but the inner vitality. which Is
equally indispensable. Is there, after all. anything
more satisfying to say Of a painters work even
after many years of success, than that 1t shows
him 70 be stiI growing? This exhibition revives IN
fun force the impression conveyed by MI Chase
years ago the Impression of delighting in his
work. seeing 1t from new points Of view, lifting IL
with enthusiasm, every now and then. out OF the
routine into which # is so easy for even glfteo
man 10 fall. That M. Chase is sometimes tempted
into routine Is shown by two Of the portraits
here portraits which be praised for mere cleV-
erness alone But often he exhilarates US with
the freshness and charm which are utterly incom-
pa atfbe with formula.
witness the Master Robert" dImIy suggestive OF
the influence of HAS, but with a quality in it, an
energy and a note OF color, which could only have
come from an original temperament. Witness the
Miss Diendonnie" g captivating study in decora-
Yi,-. nortrsiture painted In delicate tones &
coarse canvas the fore OF which is made 10 play
an effective part in the scheme as whole Each
Of these portraits has sharply emphasized charac-
ter Of its ovn and in the large painting Of Miss
&C
yer third inspiration. This last is a distinguished
performance notable Cor its technique, especially
where the textures are concerned Dut most au-
rirabIe for its unity and beauty as portrait. IN
contrast to II and to other studies Of women are
several fine portraits OF men. We cannot include
among these the Samuel T Peters, which Is pure
routine but the Hon. James c Carter and the
.Rey Dr. William n. Irvine" show with WhaC
svrnpatby and power Mr.. Chase can model a mas
y,Iiye tyne when he chooses. 1t is plain from this
exhibition that his mastery over the instruments
Of expression is complete as we have known IL
to be IN the past and even more spontaneous even
more vividy accented by personal feeling He Is 10
he most warmly congratulated. and we hope that
he will see his way TO making another public ap-
pearance on a Similar scale next season
At the D1rs d-RueI Galleries there are twenty
eight portraits by Miss Cecilia Bean1' three OF
fbem being drawings. Here. to. greater extent
fbar at Mr. Chase's exhibition we have 20 vel
come old friends; in fact, we seem to nave seen
nearly all the portraits before either In NeW-1 ork
or in Philadelphia. But there are some unfamliiar
csnvases and moreover, Miss Beauxs is talent
y-E,fct va,zvs study over and over again. Her art
wears well for It abounds in nervous force' ano
the facility which it reflects is not OF the snallo"
fatal sort Indeed, what inpresses us most about
the best OF these portraits is the SOUND Workrah-
shin which distinguishes them They reveal no
trfczs-,, no easy paitering with form or color or
composition for the sake Of an effect Even an un-
conventional scheme like that presented IN Ell
nesta" the portrait OF q chilo is WonoerAuHS spO"
taneous natural and sincere
KFtrr Rssur Is uneven SIS the concentration OF
SO many portraits IN one gallery inevitably heips
rs 20 see with greater clearness The tTlvlaL al
most commercial. character OF the portFat OF Q
1adv No 2, is In startling contrast to the Teghy
merits Of the Portrait OF Miss Sarah e. Doyie .
the portrait OF a lady Clo. a has It's essehtlAliS
commonplace fibre ruthlessIy exposed IN the sans
4sy when we compare IL with THE Dreamer OF
the somewhat thin but stiu extremely interesting
Christina" There Is. too, sadly brittle coIor IN
the portrait OF lady CSo. ID though IN more
than one canvas ft Is obvious that MISS Beau1
is not without ability TO put quality into her Color
But f some OF the portraits leave US eolo ths
greater number Of them touch US deeply W1th
sense Of the artists skill and taste, her Keen IN
tsIifEence and ber creative faculty She has power
and style She seems TO be experimenting with
ne1r manner. In the case OF the Portrait OF Mrs
Barton" ws feel. as we felt in looking az the
pstnting fn Philadelphia. that the attempt has NOT
been altogether saccessful Taers is more promise
tu the large s'elsters" which. not very well peid
together contains. II all events, some extremely
good passages