New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-24
ART IN PHILADELPHIA.
The AnnuaI Exhibition of the
PennsYLrania Academu.
lFRoN A STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIBUNEI

predecessors gives the New-Yorker good rea-
son for making the journey to Philadelphia to
see H. He win find in the show, it is true many
pictures which he has already seen at home or
elsewhere, but this win not take the edge from
MS pleasure. for the works in question are most
ly such it is interesting to see more than once
Moreover there is, Of course. no lack of new
Things These yearly exhibitions in PHILADELPHIA
nave delightful way Of wearing a fresh and
stimulating aspect. Some few notabilities are
always represented in the main gallery. and the
key set by their works is so far kept in mind
throughout the length and breadth of the col
iecuon that the rank and file rarely seem to be
doing much violence to the nigh standard aimed
at. Mediocrity is admitted but it is not allowed
TO haunt itself. There are nearly a thousand
numbers in the catalogue this year. and an un-
usual proportion Of the work they stand for is
credita0le 10 the painters. miniaturists and
sculptors concerned. a reception is held to-
hiSht' and the exhibition opens to the public on
Monday morning. 1t viii last until March s.
The notabilties mentioned above are on this
occasion Whistler and Sargent. Two early por-
traits OF the former are shown, both lent by Mr.
; r. Avery, of New-York. One is the delicate
even poetic head painted by Fantin Latour
most engaging souvenir of the painter in his
young manhood. The other is that picturesque
study which Whistler painted Of himself in a
nat admirably setting off the gaiIIard pose
adopted. In addition to these canvases there are
three works by Whistler which, if not among
ms most brilliant productions are at all events
characteristic and interesting One of these is
"Une Jeune File des Rues'' a casual note in
portraiture, not particularly attractive in color
out rich enough in the skilful touches which
so eloquently proclaim the artists mastery The
large Arrangement in Flesh Color and Brown"
a full length Of a young man. is a very subtle
harmony.
sages 1t is lovely piece Of tone yet some
how not so arresting not so haunting as some
OF the painters similar portraits are. Perhaps
the most striking member Of the group is the
portrait Of a man. apparently a musician. for
there is a dim suggestion of an instrument in
the background, which is lent by Mr.. Chase
This has the qualities Of loose but powerful
sketch and there is vigor in the handling. as
there is a warmth in the tone. to which Whistler
might with advantage have returned in some
of his later works. Though this little memorial
exhibition Of him affords only gIi1npses of his
artistic personality. II Is strong enough to form
an episode Of some importance in the show Mr.
Sargent makes more or less Respondent ap-
pearance in the main gallery with eight or nine
paintings All but one Of these belong in the
mass of work which he executed on his visit TO
America last spring and have been seen be-
fore I'm Boston and New-York The freely
q j.
is here. for example. with the delightful "Por-
trait OF Mrs. Joseph d. Widener," so captivat-
ing In its dainty elegance, and the robust "Por-
trait OF General Leonard Wood" The new por-
trait. the great prize OF the efforts made by the
Academy 20 keep its exhibition In the move
mcnt" Is the big triple portrait The Misses
Hunter" which was last seen at Burlington
House. II is fine exhibition picture" with
it's three graceful figures in black or white
draperies, grouped in kind OF pyramidal com
position against a background ia which the dark
tones OF a superb old screen lend special weight
TO the color scheme. one looks i'm vain. how
ever. in this brilliant work. FOR the felicitous
note which is found i'm Mr. Sargent at his best
II Is all very gorgeous and stately and the tech
nIque is as dazzling az ever. yet the work wants
conviction, il Is too formal and when this great
artist IS formal ne seems strained and artificial
portrait of the sort needs repose. a quality
which does not seem often To come naturally to
Mr.. Sargent. and which he has certainly not
achieved in this instance
In the same gallery there are paintings by |
several artists who. like the two mentioned in
the preceding paragraph. hold high rank and |
always give Va something that Is worth seeing |
The familiar Eight Bells OF Winslow Homer is |
shown. accompanied by magnificent sea piece |
Early Morning Coast Of Maine two well |
known portraits by MI Deming which we can !
not see too often reappear. the exquisite Mrs |
STANFORD W hlLc ana the 'AlIS. DeNeIeuN tIll-
met which is in the same vein; there are two
Of Mr. La Farge's early works, A Winter |
Landscape" and "A Gray Day full Of atmOs-
phere ana style, ana by MI Ihayer there is d
rather weird but somehow very begulNng, FOR
trait Of Woman" an apparently unfinished
study, which do not recall having eucoun-
tered i'm any NeW-York exhibition The new
paintings visible near by are tar from being OF
uniform excellence. Miss Beaux has produced
one of her best cauvases I'm her Portrait OF
Richard Watson Glider" a dignihed, straight
forward study, reticent in tone and showing
genuine feeling for character. Her smaller por-
trait Of a lady, while Cleverly brushed in, lacks
her usual charm of style. and contains harsh |
accent Of color IN the staring green ribbon that
is brought into the scheme. In the large can
vas showing child In yellow, standing against
q dark background, Miss ReauX has failed 10 !
secure the deIicacy and the fragile. fragrant mo-
tive Of design at which, presumably, she was
aiming. Mr. LoclwOod's portraits Of men are !
just good enough To make us wish that they !
better; this Is especially the case with the |
Hon. Grover Cleveland" Il painting which needs |
only a shade more force 10 lift it above the ordi-
nary plane on which IL now rests. Mrs Cox has !
a good portrait of a child in this room, a study |
in pnks, which is, to be sure trihe inelastic, !
but which shows. none the less right feeling |
for tone. Miss Cassatt has painted more agree |
able studies OF mother and her children than |
her slilful but cold "Caress." The Portrait or |
Edward Steichen." by Mr.. Chase Is vivid:
picturesque work, and is the Portrait or |
Mrs V" by the same artist hanging I'm an
other gallery: but his most striking contribu-
lions or two bits Of well painted sun
life.
The practised hand is. OF course, the one whose
exploits come more aggresstvely TO the front IN
enough from these paintings by Whistler and
Sargent Homer and Chase, to other men VINO
like them, have long since won their tootlnR'
ometmes they give us a new sensation. MI.
Alden Weir's Misty Day" has more tenderness
I'm IL than any landscape which he has shown In
recent wears Sometimes are disappointed.
usual facility and decorative flavor, but as a
piece Of symbolism this picture OF two women IN