New-York tribune., 1908-01-29

an impression of ability disciplining ITSELF refn-
| ing and enriching itself
OF portraiture pure and simple the exhibition
contains several interesting specimens and one
work of remarkable character. 1t is to be hoped
that Mr.. Tarbell's President SeeIye of Smith
College" will be shown in New York It is a
mastery portrait. packed full of character, and
in respect to technique. the kind of painting
which one would call learned if the modelling
of the head were not accomplished with touch
as subtle delicate and free as it is sure. The
details of structure patiently searched out
by this artist His figures built UP from
within. But his craftsmanship never obtrudes
itself He sees his subject unit and paints
it with befitting breadth His versatility is well
enforced by the contrast between the almost
austere simplicity of the President Seelye' and
the rich, even luscious character of his familiar
Mrs. A" which reappears on this occasion
Mr.. Sargent has more than in these Phila-
delphia exhibitions we'll nigh obiiterated all the
other portrait painters, but this time he yields to
Mr.. Tarbell. Two portraits by Mr.. Sargent are
shown. the charming Lady with Rose, which
dates from 1882 and Portrait of A Augustus
Healy" which stands for his latest manner. The
old canvas, so piquant in pose, bears success
fully the test of time. and has. regards tone
gained in quality. The later work is far less
engaging in color Its merit resides in it's truth
and in the swift summary brush work Mr.. Sar-
gents most effective follower. Miss Cecilia
Beaux. has frequently achieved fine things,
making every inch Of her canvas interesting.
that it is peculiarly disappointing to find in her
Brother and Sister one of those paintings
whose generous dimensions only emphasize their
hoIowness. The two figures, standing in room
judiciously stripped of all distractins acces-
sories. are placed side by side with no felicity
of composition. This would not matter, per-
haps, if into the modelling of their heads and
bodies and the painting of their clothes Miss
Beaux had put elements of originality and power.
AS 1t is she gives nothing more than a species
of thin facility. It is. doubt satisfactory as
portraiture. 1t is not piece of beautiful paint
ing and this a portrait of the kind unquestion-
ably needs to be. One virtue 1t has on the side
of technique it is competent so far as It goes;
it is clever.
In such work the exhibition is fairly rich.
The portraits may not very often possess the
individuality which would warrant at this dis
tsnce, more or less elaborate description, but
many of them have enough merit sharply to diff
ferentiate themselves from the merely gaudy
canvases which are, as always, sufficiently nu-
merous. In other words. there are not only the
artists signazed in this rapid survey, but many
of the rank and file, who help to make the
hibition representative of American painting.
Our resources in sculpture not SO favorably
disclosed. Beyond a couple of heads, and a
beautiful group, by Mr.. Andrew OConnor;
case Of charming Medallion Portraits by Mr..
Richard z. Brooks: a gracefully designed 'Tes-
tinonial Tablet" by Mr.. Karl Bitter some
amusing studies of turtles by Mr.. Albert Laessle,
and rather heavy but skilfully modelled nude
by Mr. Charles Crafty, the examples of plastic
art reveal moderately adroit craftsmanship and
little else. p G.