The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-25
Royal Academy Exhibition
Turns Out Undressing
Mainly Display of Portraits and Most Of These Of Persons
Totally Unknown in Society or to the Ordinary
Spectator and by Unknown Artists.

Especial Distatch.0

hundred and forty-ffth exhiniuon OF
the Royal Academy Of Arts at Bur
Iington House is not a popular academy.
That Was what the nevspap ers said OF last
years academy. but this one Is even less
popular. mere glance at the walls makes
art. II Is said that there Is slump in art
nowadays; that all the money available
is being spent on the requirement OF old
masters. which are now realizing such
fabulous prices. II Is true that there are
many fine examples OF the work Of such
well known portrait painters and landscape
artists and subject painters as Professor
Sir n. Won Herkoner. Sir r. Burne-Jones,
Mr. William Lleweilyn, Mr.. J. ]. Shannon.
sir r. J. POINTER. Mr.. John Lavery, John
s. Sargent. Sir Luke Fiides. Mr. Joseph
Parauerson. the Hon. John Collier and
others, who are old friends. and some By
welcome newcomers; but it lie on the whole
a most uninteresting exhibition.
It is mainly an exhibition of portraitS-
beautiful women by noted artists, but in q
great measure portraits OF persons who
are totally unknown In society OF 10 the
ordinary spectator. by unknown artists. SO
that one marveb how they ever got a
place on these walls.
On the other hand II is perhaps good for
some OF the less known landscapc and sub
,ect painters that there are so many I'M
interesting portraits, for II is pleasure
TO turn from there 10 look at pictures
which under other circumstances might
have passed almost unnoticed.
To take the portraits first, interest will
naturally centre on the much talked OF
picture by Mr.. John Lavery OF the King
and Queen with the Prince OF Wales and
Princess Mary at buckingham Palace. 1t
~as expected that this would prove the
feature of this years exhibition. To say
II Is a disappointment is putting II mildly.
Some may say they recognize the king in
the group. but IL would be hard to see any
likeness in either the Queen or the Prince
and Princess. On the other hand. the por-
trait OF the King by Mr.. Arthur s. Cops,
painted for the United Service club, is an
credit TO the painter. That by Mr.. Will
lam LleRoilyn OF the Queen, also for the
United Service institution, depicting her
Majesty in court drcss. with tiara OF
diam onds is. however. only moderately
good presentment ana is hardly likely to
find many admirers.
OF the portraitsts none Is so successful
as Professor Herkomer. He is represented
By q half dozen portraits OF interesting
we'll known persons. Including Sir Berke-
ley Moynihan. F. r. c. s., with hands
stuck in characteristic fashion In the
pockets Of his REFER jacket; Lord Shuttle
worth OF Cawthorpe. admirable in tine
strong expression OF the mobile face; Mr..
Justice Hargreave Deane. Viscount Nor.
ley. in his Doctors robes; DIR. Arthur
Hertz and Sir Frederick Macmillan. In
teresunx. too. Is Prince Oiav OF Norway.
by Mr.. Herbert Sidney, bright, sunny
picture of tho popular little Prince Of
Norway that brings pleased smile 10 the
spectator.
In the portraiture OF women, none Is
more successful than Mr.. Solomon j. SOL
ONION. Those of Mrs. Close Brooks and
g.
well-nish perfect specimens OF this art.
Both are clad alike in black velvet dresses.
with purple scarves thrown lightly over
their shoulders; both are posed alike, lean
ing on the pedestals OF pillars with a
leafy background. Sir f. Burne-Jones is
represented by two portrnits-Sir Edward
Elgar and Mfr. Richard Ward-and Mr.. J.
j. Shannon adds to his great reputation
by five portraits. notably Mrs. F.. Wynne
Chapman, in white and blue spotted mus
lin dress. standing under a tree. Her
smile Is charming; and the animated feat
ures OF Florence. daughter of Mr.. G. w.
Henderson, a three quarter length are
beautifully portrayed; but Lady Asnby
st. Leger and her son, the child leaning
over his mothers knees, Is one OF the
nost attractive picture portraits In the
exhibition.
Mr. John Lavery Is more successful with
his portrait of Lady Gwendolen Spencer
Churchill than in his royal group; and q
couple Of mountain scenes, The Summit
OF the Junsfrau." and Japanese switEer-
land" show him at his best.
The late Francis Paset. D. D.. Bishop
OF Oxford, is shown by Mr.. sydney T.
Hall IN his robes as Chancellor Of the
Order Of the Garter, and two other fine
strongly expressed protraits by the same
artist are General Sir Dighton Prohyn and
the Rev. Douglass Macleane. Canon and
prebendary Of Salisbury Cathedral. Der.
nard, son Of Mr. H. l.. c. Brassey. NJ. r..
by Mr.. Ralph Peacock, Is an admlra BILE
picture portrait. The hoy is seen in white
sweater and Knockers, and bare limbs
standing by a stream with fishing rod
apparently cut by himself from a tree
and 3fr. onslow Ford is represented by
only one. Lord WalslnghaIn, High Steward
Of Cambridge University.
Another interesting portrait Is that OF
Sir Frederick A. Eaton, secretary OF the
Royal Academy, seated at his desk in hi,