New-York tribune., 1907-01-27
AN ART CONGRESS.
Exhibition of the international
Society ip London.

work Of the time displayed 10 the highest ad-
vantage. quoted. and evidence was offered
that .he society had been carrying Il out not
only in the annual exhibitions here but also In
Milan and elsewhere. The society was described
as the best equipped organization for arranging
exhibitions in which artists appeal to something
larger than the judgment and taste of their own
country. This is undoubtedly true. and It points
10 g natural solution Of the most difficult prob
lem set before the managers Of international
shows like the jamestown Exhibition. An art
collection is always requisite. and when an appeal
Is made 10 national governments individually
there is either belated effort or unsystematic
preparation. In England there IS unmistakable
indifference 10 international exhibitions at home
or abroad, and Sir Alfred Bateman IS now con-
Quoting official inquiry 10 determine whether
participation in them is OF any practical benefit
20 industrial interests So far as art is con-
oerned. Il cannot be doubted that the Interna-
iional Society OF Sculptors. Painters and Gravers
can produce either for the jamestown or BARGE
Iona exhibition. or for any other shows a more
symmetrical and interesting collection than can
he arranged in any other way. II represents
modern and unconventional art in all civilized
countries. and this IS what is wanted at inter
national shows. Its method IS eclecticism II
takes what is representative without reference
10 the source. and exhibits art on its own merits
There can be no better method OF organizing a
modern show.
This years exhibition at the New Gallery is
confined TO the works of members Of the society.
Probably this will not be a precedent for the
exclusion of outsiders work at subsequent
shows. Certainly. II serves the useful purpose
of illustrating the resources Of large body
OF artists included in the membership. 1t shows
how clever. how unconventional and how mod
ern they can be when they are left 10 them
selves II this modernity OF spirit be unduly
vehement and unrestrsined- and that is OBJ
vious effect. especially when goes 10 the
New Gallery from the academy where Halls.
Rembrandt Reynolds and Gainsborough repre-
sent the power. imagination. distinction and
grace OF the old masters-it is the present day
practised by workers Of downright sin
certify IN the kingdom. on the Continent and IN
America Subject is mere important than quail
ity. style, color charm. and generally Il is
something without inherent beauty dignity
and often something disagreeable and unwhole-
some. These modern painters. sculptors and
graVers share the preference OF current novel
fists for what is morbid and unpleasant, and,
brilliant and realistic the technique may be.
cid fashioned lovers Of art revert 10 higher
and nobler themes and methods OF treatment.
precisely booklovers brush aside the ephem-
erai fiction of the day and refresh themselves
by re-reading standards and classics. Yet the
restless and penetrating modern spirit IS in
these works with its own methods OF Observa-
tion. OF stating what It perceives and Of devel-
oping the resources Of the subject. II deserves
critical study like every other phase OF mod
ern life. The German etchings seem hard and
metallic and the French paintings coarse and
repelient in composition and color. but there is
individuality IN the art, and it often pulsates
with creative power.
These international congresses enable art
workers 10 find out what is going in other
countries and 90 broaden their style. Coarse
realism like Zuloaga's ''vieux Marcheur." with
tts rakish old man in pursuit OF two fast women.
IS offensive in subject and without charm of
composition color; but the figures are vital
and something IS TO be learned from the clever
ness with which the paint IS put the canvas
Besnard's portrait OF Mime. Jourdain involves
ingenious portrayal OF lights at cross pur-
poses in a brilliantly painted iridescent gown.
and II IS worthy OF study If the modelling
Of the head has been sacrificed There many
other ultra-modern performances IN oil. and
there is a conspicuous one in the central sculpt-
ure hall-Lambeaux's theatrical bronze, entitled
Murder" There is also much cleverness in ek-
ecution without ignoble subjects frivOty in
method. There are two Boldini portraits OF
marked originality There portraits by
Blanche and Aman-Jean with individuality OF
method. and there IS American one by Miss
Cecilia BesuX OF vital power. with brushwork
bold and free Mr.. Sargent's. There Is an
other American work Of power and charm IN
composition and color-Mr. Carl Melchers's
'Arbor"-and Mr.. J. ]. Shannon has fascina:-
ing study OF hrelight IN a family group OF eight.
With so fantastic a scheme of lighting. proper
tion and perspective battle criticism. especially
little floor space is shown; but the grouping is
delightful and the likenesses are excellent.
Handsome Mrs. Shannon is finely posed in the
background: Mrs. Hitchcock with dreamy face,
IS close TO the hearth. with two friends behind
her, and in the foreground is Miss Shannon with
girlish friend.
Mr William Nicholson IS one Of the boldest ex-
hibitors because HIS ''Alss Alexander challenges
comparison with famous Whistler. The work
IS modern and ingenious 10 be fairly hui
rnorous. He has sketched the lady-a sister OF
Whistler's sitter-primly seated table in a
riding habit. and again in the background
mounted on a fine horse the second representa-
ton being a framed painting with glass, in
which the black hat in her lap is reflected. In
this way she is painted as 10 be seen on and
of her horse in the same canvas. 1t is a mar
vel Of ingenuity. with most effective realism in
The seated figure. Mr. John Lavery has painted
2 wonderful gown in a hammock, but the girl in
side the clothes seems hopelessly twisted and
anatomicaIiy involved and the work is inferior
the cider and simpler portrait OF Miss Mary
Morgan in another room Mr.. c. II. Shannon s
Golden Age" is an ambitious idyll with nudes
and half-draped figures under trees and. while
IL IS decorative. Il produces a feeling OF disap-
pontment since II Is so obvious that the picture
ought 10 have been better than IL is. when so
much work has been expended upon f. Mr..
RIcketts's Death at the Auction is brilliantly