New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-13
ART DISPLAY IN PARIS.
Works Sho5cm by Society of French
artists.

The annual exhibition OF the Society of French
Artists, commonly spoken of as the Salon Of
the Champs Elysees. which occupies the main
portion OF the Palace of Fine Arts, shows that
on the whole the average standard of excellence
in painting and sculpture is advancing toward
higher standards. There are eighteen hundred
oil paintings in the exhibition OF these. twelve
hundred do not rise above honorable mediocrity,
but there are fewer grewsome sensations and
aggressive horrors" than ever before. Honest,
conscientious seeking for truth is manifested
by the younger men in every department OF
art. Venerable academicians, such as Bougue-
reau, Bonnat, Jules Lefebvre, Tony Robert
Fleury, Jules Breton Harpignies. Henner and
Gerome and HILBERT bravely held their own
The exhibition contains some six hundred pict-
ures of really great merit, which are probably
superior to any analogous selections presented
by the Champs Elysees Salon for many years
past. OF the foreigners the Americans. Of
whom there are sixty-two painters in oils, stand
foremost, but the Spaniards, fewer In number,
but evincing remarkable brilliancy Of color ana
luminosity. making magnificent progress.
The Salon, moreover. contains many agreeable
surprises. There is the usual quantity Of his
torical panels and decorative ceilings, and
classical works Of ambitious artists seeking for
official honors, but one also comes across
goodly number Of works of virile and bold con-
ception and admirable execution, revealing the
individuality and innovation that one would
expect TO find in the great rival Salon Of the
National Society rather than in the academic
exhibition presided by William Bougue-
reau where the cardinal creed is TO worship
tradition This spring the two rival shows
more closely resemble each other than on any
occasion since their memorable separation
some twelve years ago. There is no longer
any good reason why this separation should con-
he turn Ti
one Salon to the other the similarity is 80 strik-
ing that the exclamation is heard on every
side: why do they not patch up their dis
putes unite their forces and consolidate their
energies into one Salon, under the auspices OF
their respective presidents. William Bouguereau
and Carolus- Duran"
The work that in the opinion Of leading ar
lists ranks foremost this year is Henry Martins
decorative panels representing spring, summer
and autumn. painted for the Capitol at Iou-
louise It is remarkable piece Of work, OF
very large dimensions THE Three Seasons"
are stronger and more beautiful than THE
Sacred Grove or The Muses. upon which the
reputation of this decorative painter was Gre
ated The central panel represents summer
A dozen brawny armed peasants are moving
grass and clover. The long, late afternoon
shadows stretch over the sward- group OF
girls in bright dresses are dancing a merTy-g
distant blue hills are rendered with delicious
color, luminosity and atmosphere The panel TO
the left represents spring. It is curious to note
the male lemon sunshine of the spring, as COM
pared with the golden warmth Of the summer
sun rustic betrothed couple are whispering
soft nothings. while a lamb gambols near a
meadow stream. The fruit trees are in delicate
white and pink blossom. In the autumnal
panel to the right, aged woman walks in
a field, while wise looking goat browses among
russell October flowers In the distance there
is a gray cottage with the smoke emerging
from the large chimney.
Another admirable picture is the LIE Bene-
dicte des Hospitalieres de Beaune"-"Grace in
the Convent of Beaune"-by Joseph BAH, TO
whom last year was awarded the medal on
honor for his 'Lacemakers" A dozen Sisters
Of Mercy in white gowns and headdTesses stand
at q large table. while elderly nun pro-
nounces grace. The table. spread with white
tablecloth bears the midday meal. There is
! loaf of bread, and pewter coffee pots, plates
knives and forks. The background discloses
a large historical painting. in which red pre-
dominates The oeken walls and ceiling, with
solid crossbeams, are most skilfully rendered.
There is a quaint pewter fountain OF water
attached to the wall. food of light mandates
the room from two side windows. At the back
is an open door. upon which shine bright rays
1 Of light giving immense depth and brlLlancy
TO the composition. The color and sentiment
are exquisite. The figures Of the nuns are in
ambient atmosphere and light, and form beau
tiful symphony IN white, and yet there is not
2 touch Of white pigment in the canvas. It
astonishes one when a white handkerchief is
held near the white gowns of the nuns as one
looks at the picture and discovers by COM
harrison how very low in tones it is painted, and
vet the nuns garments are most brilliantly Il
Illuminated Another quality Of Balls picture
although there is no more appearance Of labor
than If It were a sketch. It is by all odds the
hest niece of work OF its kind in the Salon.
-Chabas exhibits large picture repre-
senting three uy1nphs gracefully draped toying
ankle deep in water beneath a cascade. The
color scheme is of delicate blues and yellows. 1t
is night and the glittering reflections from the
/ moon are treated with masterful hand
Marcel Baschet in his large, full length por-
/ trait of Nine H. makes distinct advance be-
von6 anything that he has yet painted. 1t is the
most DISTINGUISHED portrait in the Salon. 1t
&c done in whites, grays and blacks. woman
IN q hall dress enveloped IN loose, flowing,
e;Iver gray black embroidered mantle, moves
| fn graceful pose with left arm extended toward
| . .rax curtain tinged with crimson The right
! hand lifts the mantle disclosing dainty black
elmer The woman's jet black hair is tied II
with a velvet bow, il which is pearl. "A broao
white ruff extends backward from the neck