New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-08
ART EXHIBITIONS
Paintings by Julian RIx-The
Drake Collection.

there are l16 OF his nnlSned pictures
sketches and studies. This large collec-
ton, uneven as IL Is, nevertheless adds to
his repute. IL does not matter that some
uninteresting examples are included. The
truth is that never before, that we can
recall. have so many good paintings BY
Mr.. Rix been brought together in pub
lie show. and the occasion is thus turned
richly to his advantage. deepening our
sense OF his sterling qualities.
Considered in the light Of more recent
developments IN American landscape
painting Mr. Rix must no doubt strike
the observer as conservative type The
Impressionistic movement did not engage
his sympathies. Searching through the
exhibition for signs Of any current In
fiuences. the only one by which We SUR
mise that Ire may have been touched Is
that OF Thauow. whose special way OF
painting moving water is suggested IN
The River" (No. so, and in one Of two
similar studies But even here II may be
that We have 10 reckon with nothing
more than a trifllng coincidence, and We
are the more inclined TO take this view OF
the matter inasmuch as there is moth
ing initiative in the broad drift OF this
artists method That seems to have
been determined. in measure. by some
sensitiveness to the ideas of the Barbizon
school and even more BY a natural IN
stinct for landscape sentiment and an In
born pictorial faculty.
Mr. Rix worked chiefly in the United
States, East and West. inland and by the
sea. He had the romantic temperament
If we may Judge from the not infrequent
fervor OF his color and from the pictu-
resqueness which Is always cropping out
in his design: but his was not, strictly
speaking. a speculative art. and 1t is not
for poetic but for a quite naturalisuc
treatment OF his subjects that he IL TO be
admired He aimed In straightforward
fashion at the truth and he was only the
more successful because he had. into the
bargain, gift for composition, know
ing how 10 give his facts fresh and hand
some form. The last touch or style just
escaped him. This work is not markedly
personal In favor But an artist so Wei
equipped and go sympathetic VIII some
times manage To triumph over his want
or strong idiosyncracy. and II Nj. RiXs
they are beyond question very likeable
What we find especially pleasing about
them is their exceptional variety. The
brilliant glow OF sunset and the duil
grays Of a rainy afternoon alike appealed
20 him Not In long time have We seen
an exhibition OF landscapes Illustrative OF
so many moods In the treatment OF
them all ne was faithful. moreover 70
the nuances OF his theme, now modelling
his tree and cloud forms with o httlhs
boldness. and now handling them Win
something Ike subtlety. We do not ma
him original. and yet. by the way. follow
ing this truthfulress OF his through us
close Interpretation OF dozens OF different
motives We come upon one picture \
New York Sky Line" 40. l0l. which IS not
only accurate but strikes new note. In
,ts lovely grays and In its charming COM
position this If. I'm fact. one OF the best
pictures OF New York ever painted. IL is
a true work OF art, expressive or the
spirit OF the place. and enhancing the
picturesqueness OF familiar scene
through the magic OF fresh and interest
Ing composition. The exhibition Is alto
gother OF nigh credit TO the memory OF
sincere and competent painter. II Is
earnestly 10 be hoped that at the forth
coming sale public appreciation OF his
merits NAV be generously affirmed
According to the catalogue. the objects
belonging 10 Mr.. 4. ". Drake which are
also on view at this time at the American
Art Galleries. form only Part ! Of his
collection. /, must be n collection Of pro-
digious scope. for this catalogue runs TO
o039 numbers In the main. however
these stand for little things. and. We may
add. they stand for things OF quaint
and charming interest. The paintings are
Of no great Importance. That fertile mas
ter active In all schools. and yclept IN
known" is abundantly represented Even
the pictures accompanied by more indi-
vidual names belong IN the same cate
CORY OF decorative but not otherwise at
all thrilling works. Still. II IS most de-
cidedlv not through its pictures that the
collection assumes 10 arrest the connois-
seur The real stuff for the latter is to
b. found among Mr.. brakes samplers.
bandboxes, pewter. silver cups and ladies.
snuffboxes. and so on. These are merely
fascinating.
The visitor begins by wondering II Mr..
Drake has not been too lavish, collecting
too many souvenirs OF n given field. lie
ends bv wishing there were more or these
Irresistible objects. Take. for example
the sampler OF seventy-odd or one hun
dred wears ago II was scarcely the vehi-
Gle for copious invention. or, AT all events
IL was scarcely developed under creative
hands. but somehow the young fingers
dutifully laboring over these simple tasks
nroduced pieces OF which we never tire.
Merely TO hunt among them for charac-
teristic sentiments is to be endlessly
amused. Here is perhaps the most sig
nificant OF them all
When every letter with judgment is
r1actly proportional and prettiy spaced,
a SAMPLER resembles an elegant mind
Whose passions by reason subdued ana
uovs only I'm lines OF affection and duty.
Rehecting a picture OF order ana beauty
This masterpiece. as il happens. is
ANONYMOUS. but most Of Mr.. brakes
saunders are signed and dated. and We
NAV muse. II we like. upon the probable
,ra,ts ~ Hannah Ann Pryor" or Jane
Cahoon." and pause In Imagination at the
aide ~ Miss Margaret Lapsley working
awav at "Maguires Academy over her
large basket OF flowers and her beautiful
"rosebud border" Delightfully."- friendly
and human are these samplers. one en-
he. ftfra n