New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-20
ART EXHIBITIONS.
The Collection of the Late Frederick
S. Gibbs.

The late Frederick S. Gibbs may not have been
an unbelievable repository OF political wisdom.
but he knew good picture when he saw It. II we
may Judge from some OF the works IN the
collection formed By him, which IS now
hibtion al the American Art Galleries he also
knew bad one-and was willing to possess It.
But among these 2s3 paintings there many
really artistic productions that may easily
overlook the examples OF polished mediocrity.
Moreover. Ar Gibbs had merit a collector
which IT IS especially gratifying 10 notehe bought
American paintings. There is no lack OF foreign
work here. Il Is true. but Il falls somehow give
the collection its tone. That IS derived from nu-
morous pictures by three deceased masters-George
Tnness. A. II. Wyant and Homer Martin-and
from others by worthy followers OF those salient
figures In the history OF American landscape paint
ing The works OF these bring delightful
atmosphere into the galleries. They not all OF
equal Importance. but they all illustrate the skin
and the sincerity through which our landscape men
have done much TO distinguish the American
school.
The Important picture IS not. after all. invari-
ably the most winning. Take. FOR example. the
group OF thirteen paintings by Inness In this col
lection. The Approaching Storm" might. per-
haps. from certain point OF view, be regarded as
deserving Of higher rank than that TO be given 10
any OF its fellows. II shows Inness at his best IN
the fusion OF all the elements in composition into
a perfect unit OF form and color. The design is a
felicitous one and IL is handled throughout with
unwavering authority. Here Inness IS in full COM
mand OF n fine pictorial motive and leaves the
work absolutely complete. Yet who shall say that
this more Important" because more finished, more
exquisitely balanced, painting has greater charm
TO be found in several OF the pictures hang
ing on the same wall? The early landscape, Sum
mer. Sunshine and shadow makes through its
close. but not too close. analysis peculiarly be
pulling appeal: the ''Viaduct nj Laricha and the
Lake Nemf' capital souvenirs Of the painter s
Italian period full OF that nascent beauty OF style
which characterized his work in the South. and in
The Cleaners" or Sunlight Woods" you have
the glowing color and the breadth which he after
ward achieved. offered on freer. more careless
terms than those OF the Approaching Storm but
enchanting nevertheless. In short. any one OF
the thirteen canvases VIII serve to Illustrate the
essential qualities Of this mans genius his insight
into nature and his original eloguence IN the ex-
preston Of its secrets.
wyant. on the opposite wall with fourteen land
scapes conveys a less sharply accented impression
He rarely exercised the nasterful, brilliant brush
that We associate with Inness and on this &C
cason 1t Is his more delcately sensitive mood that
IS almost exclusively represented. The only robust
note that occurs S IN the little Irish sketch "A
View IN County Kerry" and that Is not particu-
larry attractive But Wysnt's tender sentiment his
deIicacy IN the manipulation OF tone. come beauu-
fully 10 the fore IN the 'Keene Valley" the Pool
ga the Meadow" and half dozen other examples
lie. too. has that temDeramental charm which
counts for so much In the art OF Inness. and that
distinction Of style which suffices TO give even a
painters most casual study a place apart The
third member OF the great THO at this exhibition
Homer Martin. is powerful IN one OF his ten
paintings. The sage's Ravine"; exquisite In his
Interpretation Of light and air in another. 'On the
Seine" and subtly persuasive IN them all through
the feeling and individuality OF his art.
Inness wyant and Martin have a weight which
Is shared by none OF the other landscape painters
whose works appear IN this collection and It IS a
little surprising TO find that Mr.. Gibbs was ap-
pareutly as enthusiastic over the pictures Of at
least one other American he their
productions. Indeed. he seems 10 have had even
a deeper devotion whore Mt. Ralph a. Blakelock
was concerned, there being no fewer than thirty
four paintings by that artist in the collection.
Few OF them Justify Mr.. Gibbs's taste. That Mr..
Blakelock could paint beautiful picture. good In
color and sound IN workmanship. IS shown by The
Boulder and the F1ume," study OF a picturesque
! theme done IN large and sympathetic spirit. and
| there are passages Of tone IN The Pipe Dance"
and The wounded Stag which effective The
] last named canvas has even too a romantic SAVIOR
/ which IS agreeable. But the bulk Of this mass OF
work by Mr.. Blakelock Is chiefly remarkable for a
! rn0notonous brown tonality which has nothing
about Il OF the freshness and sweetness Of nature
AIr Gibbs was better advised IN his purchases OF
landscapes by certain other Americans who. II less
idiosyncratlc than Mr.. Blakelock, have. on the
other hand. more truth and more beauty. We re-
fer more particularly 10 Mr.. Shuruen. Mr. Minor.
Mr. Murphy Mr. BOgert. Mr.. OChtman. Mr.. Weir
and Nj Ranger each Of whom gives a good ac-
count OF himself in the show Mr. Kenyon Cox.
by the way IL represented by a landscape painted
some years ago which has such engaging qualities
that We wish he could find time 20 return now and
then to the same field OF endeavOr.
Among the miscellaneous American pictures there
! Is a clever little nude study by Sargent, The
Sun Bath" evidently painted al the outset Of his
/ career and there IS interesting cattle piece by
AIr. Abbott Thayer. "A Prize Bull interesting
| rather showing him IN curious vein than Tor
/ any intrinsic qualities. We may mention also
! good "Stil LIFE by Mr.. Chase. striking relic OF
/ Mr. Winslow Homers study Of Civil War episodes
| Defiance" and some pictures by IL Sddons Now
/ bray Henry Mosler, Frank Fowler. :. G. Brown
/ George Deforest Brush and Louis Moeller The
| specimens OF modern Continental art range from
! a dainty panel by Corot, Edge Of the Woods,
and a sparkling little Venice by Martin Rico, "a
/ anecdouc designs by Berne-BellecoUr. Nibert
| Grison Hagborg and Jiminez. which OF more
| literary than artistic value Here and there al
excellent bit Of painting appears. in the Span
! ish Lady with Fan" by Fortuny. a captivating
| sketch But the strength OF this collection resides
! fn the assenblage Of American landscapes which Il
| contains For these there should be lively compe
tition at the sale next Wednesday. Thursday and
] Friday evenings.