New-York tribune., 1912-01-15
LONDON ART
Tribute to Abbey-0Id Masters
~ at Burlington House.
London, December 80.


tribute so comprehensive and splendid.
The central hall and three large gal
leries are filed with his drawings.
sketches and oil paintings. He came to
England in 1878 to make a reputation
az an illustrator of remarkable versa
tiity and refinement Of fancy, and hum
dreds of drawings on screens and walls
are collected in these spacious galleries
as practical evidence that it was well
deserved. Here are seventeen earlier
illustrations for she Stoops to Con-
ouer," alike vivacious and decorative.
To these are added thirty-two drawings
made during the 90's for THE Desersed
Village" and how finished is the tech
niaue and how pure the sentiment!
Very beautiful are the illustrations of
old English songs and THE Quiet Life
but more vivid and dramatic Is the great
Shakespearian gallery! Was there not
bali not long ago at which nearly all the
prominent characters Of Shakespeare
appeared in costume and danced 'he
hours away? on the walls Of the Acad-
emy there is more brilliant masquer-
ade. for Abbey not merely dressed up
mis- puppets with his wifes help, but he
also put character into face and pose and
brought to life the people of the plays.
When the American painter passed
from black and white to oils it was said
that he had changed his medium but not
his style, and that he was still an illus
traitor. That might have been true of
his earliest work in oils, like Nay Day
Morning" which was exhibited at the
Academy in 1890; and even Richard.
Duke of Gloucester, and the Lady Anne"
which has been considered by many
critics his most dramatic work, lacked
atmosphere. AS he acquired facility in
the new medium his work became highly
decorative, and he was known as one OF
the best colorists in the Academy. Apart
from his decorative panels for the Bos-
ton Public Library and the Harrisburg
Capitol his best paintings are in the
central hall and in adjoining galleries.
In, commanding place is the corona
tiOn picture from Buckingham Palace,
with a bracing breath of real movement
i'm ii in spite Of the stateliness Of the
ceremonial; and near It is the Ameri-
can Ambassadors "Pavane," not so well
lighted as when 1t is seen in his New
York residence. but most charming
composition, with dancers in front Of
richly embroidered curtain and musi-
clans playing for them.
In the Central Hall are the "Play
Scene in Hamlet" Senator Clark's Trial
of Queen Katherine Mrs. Michie's
Lear and Cordelia," Crusaders Sight
ing Jerusalem" Columbus in the New
World" Fair Is My Love" and many
other works. The decorative panels FOR
Boston and Harrisburg. which absorbed
so much Of his time that little OF the
painters work has been seen at the
Academy during recent years. are rep
resented By a few sketches in oil or
water cotor such as The Spirit CT
Light" Science Revealing the Treas
ures Of the Earth" and The Spirit OF
Religious Liberty" In this respect alone
is the memorial exhibition inadequate
Otherwise il has been labor Of love for
Mrs Abbey and the Academicians to
collect between three hundred and four
hundred examples OF his art as illustra-
tor. decorator and painter. The work is
there and it shows how great an artist
he was; but those who knew him we'll
AMI loved and honored him can hardly
see II as they make the circuit of the
galleries. for there are tears in their eyes
high-minded friend whom they will meet
on earth never again.
The Academy, after allowing the Graf
ton Gallery to excel II in winter exhibit
tions of old masters. has boldly ac-
cepted the challenge and triumphed all
along the line. This is the most varied
and interesting loan exhibition which
has been seen at Burlington House for
many years. There are twenty-four of
ReynOds's portraits and subject pict-
ures, including the likeness of the gem
erous admiral who carried off the young
artist in his ship TO learn the grand
style I'm Italy; the Alteration of the
Shepherds and the figures Of Temper
ance, Charity, Faith. Hope. Prudence
and Justice for the New College win
dows at oxford: a replica OF the famous
lery the Erummel children from Lord
Iveagh's collection, and many great
ladies. There has not been so good
Reynolds show since the great one at
the GrosvenUT Gallery in 1SS3-'S4.
There are four excellent Gamsborougns.
with the portrait of George III from the
Royal Society of Musicians In the most
prominent place; and there is one of the
best Romneys in. the kingdom, with
Hoppners. Lawrences, Hogarths and
Turner's on every side The Lelys from
the country houses might be easily
spared, so closely do they resemble one
another, bu. there could we'll have been
more Van Dycks, so seldom are they TO
be seen out of the ancient dining halls
and drawing rooms.
There is small group of Italian aad
Flemish primitives. with Mr. Heseltines
Botticelli, Virgin and Child with st.
John" and Vivetta, Alteration Of the
Magi,' that cannot be seen too often.
The Marques of Butte has lent several
Tintorettos which would have delighted
critics like Ruskin and painters like ABB
beg, anG there are Titians, Moronis and