New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-13

Homer. which. IN the midst of all the sparkle
and cleverness of the work done by the rising
generation, set one to rejecting on how much
to the elders in our American school.
Their participation in the show gives 1t, indeed.
a large portion Of it's vitality.
It would be a mistake. however, to regard the
newer movements as completely overshadowed
simply because they do not always produce
work of an outstanding character. The great
mass Of the painting here shows with what apt
tude the technical lessons which the school has
been learning are being applied. Mr.. Benson.
for example, is one Of a considerable company
OF men whose interest in problems of light have
led them, in different ways. TO achievements
that are generally suggestive to the student Of
pure painting. often beautiful, and have.
into the bargain. exharating quality which
could not be too warmly praised Mr.. Reid is
IN this category. with his lovely figure piece,
THE Gamma" a study in delicate blue tones that
breathes the very sentiment Of the open air. So,
likewise, is Mr.. Chide Hassam, whose big land
scape with figures, the June" which was shown
in New York some time ago, is not perfect
unit of design and style. Of form and color but
whose feeling for the fresh beauty in nature
does much to push into the background the
qualities Of the color scheme that are least salts
factory. He is happier in his small landscapes,
one of which by the way, has been purchased
for the COrcoran gallery. The impressionist
group to which these painters belong is a large
one and though Of its newer members
are somewhat crude, It does a great deal toward
filing the galleries with sense Of life and prog
ress. Mr.. Weir's contributions in a re-
strained mood. One IS THE Fur Pelisse,"
delicate harmony in which the shoulders Of the
model and the brown tones Of her fur garment
very subtly painted. The other Upland
&c For
from this hangs Mr.. Metcalf's prize picture, the
May Night" to which allusion has already
been made, and Of which reproduction was
given in The Tribune OF last Sunday.
This picture deserves all Of the good fortune
that it has The old pirared colonial man
sion. set amid trees and studied under moon
light. has by itself a charm at once simple and
romantic, and peculiarly freighted with that
SAVIOR OF the American soil which has always
marked this painters work The composition
is delightfully."- conceived. It makes a good pic
ture without the sacrifice Of any of the artlesss-
ness which belongs to the theme. In all the
details of workmanship. in the drawing of the
scheme a whole, IN the modelling Of the
trees and in the notation of light and shade Mr.
Metcalf dscloses sureness of hand and thor
ough grasp Of his instruments as well as Of his
problem. But when ell these virtues have been
pointed out there remains for our admiration
the sympathy with which the artist has inter
preted the spirit of his motive; he adds poetic
beauty to realism. and leaves the picture not
only a work Of skill but a work OF imagination
It IS a distinguished painting-one of the finest
things American art has produced in recent
years
The important thing about this exhibition IS
that IT shows so much that is worthy Of those
especially conspicuous works on which I have
already paused. Indeed II description were pos
sible Of all that is worth describing here. the
record would be drawn out to excessive length.
Yet one is sorely tempted TO do more than mere
ly alude TO a piece OF really dignihed Salon
work Ike Mr.. HubbelTs romantic study OF a
Montmartre type, THE Poet" or TO a good bit
of free brush work. touched with the sense Of
beauty, like MI Sbannons Girl in Brown"
There are portraits and pictures. Mr. Chase's
The Sisters" Mr.. Sterner's Portrait OF NV
Son" Mr.. Herter's The Round Mirror" Miss
"A Good Story" Mr.. Melchers's
"Brabanconne" Mr. Millets "Rook and Pigeon"
Mr.. Henri's Spanish Girl" and so on. with at
least a dozen more, which have been discussed
for good for Ill in The Tribune before but
which prove their possession Of serious qualities
by inviting discussion again There are land
scapes too, any number of them, by Mr.. Murphy,
Mr.. Bogert, Mr.. ShurtleT, Mr. Dearth, Mr.
Ranger, M Blakeock. Mr. Foster Mr. Eaton
and others, which all go swell the brinance
OF the ensemble. Then there are sea pieces by
Mr.. Carlson, Mr. Dougherty and Mr. Hoeber
which are on the same plane OF vigor OF course
there are disappointments in the collection
There is Mr.. Henry q. Fullers Life Disarmlng
Death" a composition on an heroic scale in
which two winged figures, set in a grandiose
scene, have so much that is impressive about
them that one fairly groans over the failure Of
the artist 10 rise in his execution no higher than
the level OF that neryeless academic method
which exemplifed by the late Lord Leighton.
But 1t Is not Of the disappointments that one
thinks in taking leave Of this exhibition. Il is
rather. the Astounding health and enthusiasm
displayed in st that dwes, on the great
number OF men represented in it who give
good for painting their pictures on the
note OF taste confidence. and. above all Of eager
interest in the mysteries Of technique, that is
struck everywhere.
Mr.. George A Hearn, the collector who has
shown sturdy a belief in American art and
has been so generous I'm his support Of It at our
own metropolitan Museum and elsewhere has
done a graceful thing upon the present occa-
sion lie lent Sunset" by Mr.. George H.
Bogert TO the exhibition and he has Just pre-
scented IT to the Corcoran gallery as a token Of
recognition of what the trustees are doing for
American painting. The spirit of this gift is
justified by what the American painters have
done for the show. They have risen 10 a great
occasion and have made the exhibition national
event. r. c.
VAUDEVILLE MERGER.