New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-07


the princesses' coronation robes. Even more
arduous and perplexing has been the compost
ton OF large group of royal personages prel-
ates, court funcrionaries and coronation At
tendants. in which there is no sense of artificial
posing or suspended movement
The Marquis or Cholmondeley the Lord High
Chamberlain, with Lord Churchill Sir Hugh
Cough and Mr.. Burke, the Herald is we'll in the
foreground and is full of VITALITY and action:
but the Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk with
strong face. black beard and sturdy frame. is
one OF the most spirited figures In front of the
coronation chair. Near him are the Duke OF
Fife. as Lord High Constable, and the Duke of
Argyll, as bearer of the sceptre with the cross
The Duke Of Portland, Master of the Horse ia
less conspicuous, and Lord Londonderry with
the pointed falchion known the sword of state
IS IN the background near Dean Bradley The
Duke of Grafton, who carried Curtana, the
sword Of mercy, is supported by two rival gem
erals, Lord Wolseley and Lord Roberts and
Lord Kitchener is not far away. 1t is good
portrait OF Lord Wolseley, but Lord Roberts
looks almost too tall in his high boots The
Duke OF Marlborough. who carried ST. Ed
wards crown: Lord Lucan, bearer of the sceptre
with the dove; the Duke of Somerset, with the
orb Of empire; Lord Darlington with st. Ed
wards staff; Lord Loudoun and Lord Grey de
Ruthyn, with the emblems of knighthood: Lord
Crawford. the Duke of Abercorn the Duke of
Buccleuch, Lord Chelmsford and many other
coronation figures are appropriately grouped.
The Lord Chamberlain. Lord Halsbury, is
prominent at the upper end of the group and is
admirably painted. Near him stands Mr.. Bal
four. Lord Privy Seal. with tall figure and keen.
intellectual face: and the Duke of Devonshire is
close at hand as Lord President of the Council.
Lord Rosebery. Lord Spencer. Lord Derby and
Cd 4l,a o+f,e, Io@+ na
n the direction Of the choir. The Mistress OF
the Robes. the Duchess of Buccleuch, stands
near the Queen; and Lord Harris, who carried
the jewelled sceptre with the cross; Lord Col
vile Of Culross, and the Duke Of Roxburghe.
with the Queens crown, are near by. There are
about 112 portraits taken from life including
those OF Lord Rothschid, Lord James of Here
ford. Lord Rayleigh. Lord Tweedmouth. Lord
SeIborne, Lord Lister. Lord Avebury, Lord Crew
and Lord Ribblesdale; a small group Of members
OF Parliament, headed by Sir Howard Vincent,
Sir W. Houdsworth and Dr. Farquharson; and
the Kings physicians, Sir Francis Lakng and
Sir Frederick Treves.
Mr.. Abbey. in the composition Of the main
tableau all the way across broad panel, has re-
peated his device in the Grail picture Of the four
and twenty maidens welcoming the knight He
has formed several natural groups, and. although
the canvas is crowded with figures. there is an
abundance of air space and every figure seems
at ease without being in the way of those
around IT While there is action. there is no
theatrical posing The royal box opens like
great window behind the group and the line OF
white robed princesses In front is broken by the
dark uniforms of two or three princes IN the
middle and by the eager innocent faces Of the
Kings three grandchildren in front The Prince
Of Wales is evidently brought forward arti-
fcialy from the edge OF the transept through
narrow lane in the grouping: but the sense OF
perspective is true enough, and the two galleries
the west wall OF the transept complete the
effect Of a spacious. recedng background. The
color scheme is worked out with subuety py
blends rather than contrasts. It was pre-emi-
nently white coronation, with scarlet and GRIM
son toned down by white fur and Illuminated
with gold; and so 1t has been painted. The
floors are carpeted with blue rugs and Persian
tapestries of matchless beauty. and the decora-
tons OF blue and amber reproduced about
the royal box and the end OF the transept, but
the crimson and scarlet nowhere have marked
ascendency, and the ,tableau remains a harmony
in white, enriched with tones Of pink. blue and
purple, and Illuminated with cloth of gold in the
robes Of the King and Queen. Obviously the
Kings white stockings afterthought,
and the painter reluctantly consented to reduce
the golden sheen which served the centre Of
his picture. attracting the eyes of prelates.
princes. courtiers and great ladies by its re-
fulgence and splendor There is however,
natural and free play OF color in the work, and
the grouping is mastery. Mr.. Abbey must have
begun with the coronets and then have added
figures and draperies, and finally have painted
in the faces. The finishing touches were clearly
in the background, where most difficult prob
lem of perspective has been worked out success
fully and fine impression of throng Of
fhusiastic spectators produced
Mr.. Abbey's picture. painted for the King, is
to be exhibited by Messrs, Agnew at the Han
over Gallery for several months, and 1t is to be
taken subsequently to Manchester. Liverpool.
Glasgow. Edinburgh. Plymouth Dublin and
other cities in the United Kingdom. It will also
be exhibited in New-York, Montreal and prob
ably Toronto: and probably 1t will be sent
to Australia, New Zealand. South Africa and
India. 1t may be five years before it is hung
In its appointed place in Buckingham Palace.
It is 10 be etched for the Agnews by Laguer-
ME the French artist, who has been remark
ably successful IN his reproductions Of Van
Dycks, Titians and other masterpieces; and the
prices are to range from q guineas for a re-
uarque artists proof. to 10 for an artists
proof and for a lettered proof. with or
binary prints at 3 guineas Mr.. Abbey has
virtually been holding court at his studio IN
Chelsea since the coronation. and all the prop
critics and costumes have been lent TO him.
Vegtments regalia swords of state, batons
ernrroideries, laces and Jewels have been worn
or carried by models; and all the actors in the
unique spectacle have been there to have their
portraits painted. Poor LOckhart is said to
have been killed by the arduous labor Of COM
yleting the picture of the Jubilee celebration.
Mr.. Abbey is of the world and something