New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-02-19
LONDON ART.
The Whistler Show-4 One-Man
Etching DispLay-Woman York.
London, February q

hall TO balco ~ when the exhibition is opened
on Washington's Birthday. Every appeal 70
Continental and English collectors and galleries
has been favorably answered; and the American
owners Of his works. with a few notable ex-
ceptions, have reconsidered their refusals and
ere sending their treasures TO this representative
world wide tribute 10 the genius of one of their
own countrymen. Mr. Freer, of Detroit who
Owls the finest collection of whistlers in Amer
lca and has recently purchased the Peacock
room has remained obdurate; the wilstach
Gallery, Of Philadelphia, has found it imprac-
ticabe 10 lend the yellow Buskin," a fun
length which urgently desired; and IT is
uncertain whether LANCE Leisen," Pretty Miss
Brown" the Potter Palmer harmonies the ex-
quisite Untermyer nocturne. Mr.. Richard Can
ield's portrait and the famous Rosa" and
other works viii be contributed; but the Pitts
burg "Sarasate" the Rose of Lyme Regis" and
he Master Smith," from Boston; the fine noe
1urne from the Chicago Institute OF Fine Arts:
Westminster Bridge and the Blue Wave
from Cleveland La Robe Rouge" from Canada;
the white Girl" owned by Mr. Harris White
more; the portrait in Mr.. E. G. Kennedy's col
lection, and Mr.. Howard Mansfeld's exception
ally fine series of etchings and Autographs
either already here or on the sea. With this
tolerably fair measure Of reciprocity on the
part Of American collectors for the generosity
been exhibited at Worlds Fairs in the United
States, the Whistler show promises to be fully
representative and nearly complete.
The arrangement of this unique collection Of
whistler's will not present many difficulties. The
place Of honor in the largest room will be oc-
cupied by the famous portrait Of Whistler's
mother from the Luxembourg, which has al
ready reached the New Gallery. In the two
main rooms will be hung nearly all his best
he
Carlyle. from Glasgow: the Miss Alexander. the
Sir Henry Irving Mr. Swinburne's La Mere
Gerard" the Hon. Percy Wyndham's noe
turne and scores of other works from private
and public galleries. These paintings will have
the green background which Whistler himself
favored, and the light viii be tempered The
Kings collection OF 149 etchngs. which have
already been permitted to see at the New Gal
iery will be exhibited in the entrance court.
It is a remarkable series OF early impressions
n excellent state, which the King collected with
The aid of several experts during Whistlers life
lime The album Of etchings which the painter
presented 10 Queen Victoria souvenir OF the
Jubilee naval review will also be shown, with
The letter written by him as president OF the
Society Of British Artists and the cover spe-
-iaIlv designed by his hand. A bust of Whistler
siIi be lent by Princess Christian and be placed
IN the entrance court. Mr. Joseph Pennen VIII
arrange the remaining etchings autographs
and watercolors in the balcony and south room,
and he will be fortunate If he can ma wall
space for as many as $50 400. 1t will be
close approach to complete exhibition of the
work OF an etcher who must be ranked as
second only to Rembrandt
The show as q whole, will be a convincing
proof that the painter did not succeed in master
ing 1.-THE gentle art Of making enemies.
Acadenicians are among the contributors; the
South Kensngton Museum and every other
British art institution possessing examples OF
his work have offered to lend them; all the Ley
land stock has been contributed; and, his en-
e1nies themselves being witnesses, he is to be
lonored as one of the greatest among painters
and etrhers The assurances effected on the
works at this exhibition viii be proof of their
enormous rise in value since his death; and the
prominence given to paintings like the Dig
White Girl" rejected at the Salon. and to others
which were once ridiculed and despised by
Academicians. will be sign that time at last
makes all things even"
Mr. Gutekunst renders useful service to the
beautiful old art Of etching by occasional one
man shows at his modest little rooms in King
ST opposite the St James's Theatre There is
an exhibition this week of over two hundred
etched works of Maxine Lalanne which enables
art students TO understand why Mr.. Hamerton
trustworthy of French etchers. Lalanne was
born in Bordeaux under clear skies filed with
glory Of light and after Gigoux had made
good draughtsman Of him he fell under the in
duence of Claude and became most skilful
etcher, with lucidity as his most characteristic
quality His work has seldom been seen in Eng
land since his death. nearly twenty years ago.
but his collection. which is so large as to be
fairly representative and complete. offers con-
rincing evidence that while he lacked the charm
Of Claude and the power OF Meryon. he deserved
n rank with French etchers like Jacque, Dau-
oigny and Bracquemond. He was a scientific
etcher. with sharp. clear needle. who seemed to
have little trouble with acids and seldom needed
20 take precautions against inadequate biting.
Grace and freedom were the best features Of his
work in pure etching, and he succeeded in pro-
Sucing delicate effects Of shade, texture and
chiaroscuro without heaviness of line. His etch-
tngs are shown in various states, so that
.uI study can be made of his methods and
processes; and while every impression discloses
the painstaking, vorlmanlike artist who was
never weary of the drudgery OF his toilsome art.
the best examples have the wonderful clarity
which distinguished Claude.
This quality is particularly noticeable in La
James etchings of Southern France. ROuen and
Paris. The Souvenir de Bordeaux" the snow
scenes Ia his native town, and Paris from the
Louvre" have this cIearness of effect combined
with elegance of style There is vigor in the
''conhagration I'm the Harbor Of Bordeaux"
with its circling drifts of smoke. and there is
srilliancy in the Barcelona street scene; but the
most delicate effects are produced in etchings
II landscapes and marines. notably Claudes
"A, af7d Cd