New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-22
ART EXHIBITIONS.
TIE Eastman Johnson end Il. ".
Drake Collections.

/ OF that well known portrait painter IN phases
which he had for years ceased 70 make his first
concern. The other collection. belonging to Mr..
A W. Drake. contains nearly thousand pieces
! Of work in brass and copper, gathered together
from all the corners of the earth. Certainly there
is nothing conventional about the exhibition. The
Johnson pictures. it may be added, to be sold
next Tuesday ard Wednesday evenings. Tho sale
of the Drake collection will begin Monday and
continue every afternoon thereafter until March .
When Mr.. Johnson growing IN artist
Dusseldorf was at the height of its popularity a
source of inspiration for young painters. The style
affected in the studios Of that city long since
out Of date and the anecdotic subjects which pre-
dominated in its exhibitions and made their all
over the world are likewise regarded to-day old
fashioned. Mr. Johnson himself in the latter part
OF his career, which was occupied much with
portraiture, had left the superficial elements OF his
schooling Ear behind him. But was faith
tul to what was soundost in his training, to the
principles of careful. thorough workmanship These
principles are interestingly illustrated in tie col
lection that is be seen uptown IN draw
lngs, studies and finished pictures him pro
ceedlng along lines of truth, His first effort was
to put on the canvas realistic impression of his
subject. securing this by dnt of accurate drafts
manshp and faithful n treatment of local color
me quality of the work varies Sometimes it is
wanting IN nervous force. and is cold in tone. But
there are other occasions on which the execution
has delightful breadth. and dscloses true paint
| er.s touch There is. for example. the picture
called "A Ride for Ltberty-The Fugitive Slaves
On the back OF It Mr.. Johnson wrote: a veritabIe
incident in the Civil War by myself Centre
vile on the morning of McClelan's march to
Manassas, March . 1862" Interesting as this in
scripton is. hardly need It to enforce the au-
thentcity of this dramatic impression of a Negro
rdlne through the dawn with his wife and chill
dren. under the thrilling influence of danger. The
horse moves. the attitudes of the figures arc vivid
" expressive, and the whole is treated with
an energetic brush. This vitality appears I'm many
OF MI Johnson's compositions, heightening the in
] % hat in 1T
his style
He had intense sympathy for the character
lstc scenes and figures of his native land. No
doubt the stress OF the Civil War meant much to
MIN here. communicating n deeper emotion to his
art II was not of technique alone that he was
thinking when he painted pictures like tho familiar
| wounded Drummer Boy at Antietan.' He was
thlhkins also of the battle field ne knew It, or
all the visible excitements Of war and Of the
shhtier, poignant experiences through which he
had passed in the sixties. But IN scenes of peace
| too. he studied his countrymen with an ar
iecuonate eye and painted them in pictures which
throw Hoods OF light on the American types Of
uilTty years ago one painting. The Corn Husk-
! ing should undoubtedly be purchased for the
Metropolitan Museum. II is perfect page out OF
our social history. and il is into the bargain a
handsome piece OF painting. The tawny tones Of
the corn husks are beautiful in themselves and
/ they are beautifully handled The whole surface n,
this canvas is rich and distinguished II shows Mr.
Johnsons technique in its finest estate There is
one "ork pere which has an historical significance
or another sort the celebrated Dolly Madison n
crayon portrait for which Mrs Madison paya tho
artist sittings at her house in Washington in 1876
It IS valuable souvenir OF a noted personality and
- peIonGs IN public gallery. but equal importance
attaches to the painters numerous genre Studies
in which he sets forth the form and movement ~
life among the people OF the country His nor
traits Of old sea captains and OF village musicians
MS 7Ketches Or sugar camps ana tho like and his
pictures OF such artcss groups as he gives 10 IN
in .sv,t..
scholar have in them the very SAVIOR ~ tho soil
Like the late Edouard Frere, whom he sornatir,..
CLOSELY recalls ne had IN him vein II sweet do
nestle sentiment OF feeling for ordinary. toys s7d
sorrows. He put these things into his work with
simplicity and sincerity and the friendly buroa,
note ne struck fingers gratefully IN the mind
Mr.. brakes hew!ldering mass Of craf,sn,anshin
IN metal brings out the poetry that IS n would
seem latent IN pots and pans. Practically all Of
these pieces had their origin In some need NJ tho
Kitchen or dining room. but in most cases tbcir
unitarian purpose has not served 70 DISCOURAGE -,
artistic impulse Of the maker. on the contrar,.
inc copperSH1ith would appear TO have seized upon
many a humdrum opportunity and 10 have v,rrInp
from II results worthy Of the fuAedFed art{er 7,
Is almost hopeless TO particularze IN dealing with
TINS vast assemblage Of utensils but there are some
examples which cannot be passed without a word
Of comment. There is No 1853 a large old Italian
scaldino, lavishy decorated with repousse and
pierced ornament. II has something OF the tone 81
bronze. and in the broad character Of its design II
rises 10 the dignity OF a work executed IN that
more precious metal There is another specimen Of
genuinely artistic SKIN lavshed upon humble oh
ject No sa2. copper water jar with ornament ap-
piled in brass and crowned with beautiful pierced
brass cove. It almost incredible that an
unpretentouS craftsman. turning this out for n
simple purpose could have carried his work to such
a point Of artistic charm
The truth is that scores OF Mr. BRAKES treasures
stand for very high decorative ideal. This 10
especially TO be stated with reference 10 the ola
hammered plaques from the north and south Of
Europe. which. having been intended often FOR
church use. We're richly worked with conventional
ornament, and even We're emheshed with pictorial
motives Spanish Italian brasero was some
times wrought with elaboration BETTING n work
OF monumental art And streWn in among these
more ambitious objects Mr.. Drake has scores or
rather hundreds. OF little pitchers and kettles can
dlesticks, pans. bowls and through n wenigh
in:erminable list. Copper and brass are alike re
ependent in this collection, everything having been
polished with Jealous II is noticeable how
ever that there is nothing Rarng about all this
briance. For thing the who made the
pieces never hnikin In their methods Many Of
the smallest productions show refinement of outline
and OF detail. and this quality out in the dec
Grafton Of Of the larger jars patters but
general the style Is fun bold with the result
that there is something impressive about the shin
ing surfaces, The sale Of the collection ought to
attract unnumbered buyers for IN go overwhem. nr
array there is something for everybody The
artist with huge studio to decorate can obtain
immense Jars or bowls. The woman seeking ex-
qulste little brass candestcks for her mantepiece
may likewise find what she wants The difficulty
lies in choosing for there is item which does
not appeal to the collector. r c.
PRESIDENT AND SENATORS PRAISED. |