New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-12

and yet with what freedom. he puts the fact
on canvas. It is never idealized fact as he
gives it TO US, yet 1t is always raised TO the
higher plane which style envelops il, and
gives # new life and charm. Mrs MeyneIl in
her more ecstatic than luminous PREDATORY note
speaks Of the Mrs. George Batten" as the
portrait Of moment" work full OF spirit
and action" It is all that she says Of II, but if
We are arrested by this production it is chiefly
because it is. as one can see even in the re-
production, brilliant piece Of technique.
Mr.. Sargent is as flexible in his technique as
he is in his attitude toward his material A
swift and forcible touch is disclosed in the por-
trait just cited. The Mrs. Leopold Hirsch"
one Of the painters greatest triumphs is quite
as broadly painted, yet it seems TO have been
done with far more patience and research
Again the Mrs Charles Hunter is as loosely
handled as though it were only a sketch and
in other canvases, notably the Mrs Carl
Meyer and Children" and the m. Leon Della
fosse it is the artists polish. his exquisite ele-
gance, that We notice. The key may change
but the mastery remains It is true that the
selections for this book have been most judi
ciOusly made II contains none of Mr. Sar-
gents less successful paintings But il might
fairly be said that when man can produce
as many masterpieces as are reproduced in the
We may remember them. yet we continue to
think Of him great painter 1t was per
haps wise to omit the Boston decorations. The
merits they possess cannot blind US to the fact
that they do not stand the portraits stand
for what places Mr.. Sargent among the men
Of genius. Several OF his pictures have been
Included Ell JaIeo." 'Carnation. Lily, Lily
Rose" and "A Spanish Dance" and they are
welcome. for when he painted them he was
well within his natural scope But this is
portrait not a picture gallery AS such il
stamps the man who filed it as, beyond all
question the greatest living painter. who. If he
seems anything but an Old Master now. is
destined. Enthusiastically, TO attain 10 the rank
Of one when tine shall have set its seal upon
his art.
Mr.. Eddy's book on Whistler is rather IN
symmetrical piece Of writing daintiIy printed
and uncommonly well illustrated with photo
gravures. bur bearing the signs in the text Of
a work thrown together in haste. The author
says that many Of the anecdotes he gives were
had from the artists lips, and that his
views concerning Whistler's art were formed
by watching him work day after day. and
after many interviews in which. now and then.
he would speak plainly concerning art" These
remarks prepare US 10 expect a book of some
value but instead of that We have collection
Of anecdotes and similar odds and ends. The
story Of The artists life IS told in fragmentary
fashion and is obviously incomplete. In the
discussion Of his work. Mr.. Eddy discloses no
critical pacity. He is wildly enthusiastic. and
merely sweHs the chorus Of unmeasured praise
which has been raised by certain Of the paint
er's thick and thin admirers who cannot think
Of him without losing their heads Mr. Eddy,
by the way. holds very severe opinions on the
YORK q sir Joshua Reynolds. For The most
part" he says. his reputation rests mere
volume Of brilliant and high grade work-very
much as one factory has q greater reputation