Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-04-06
ZINE ART EXHIBITS.

Inc lull IN social events during Lent
which is emphasized as holy week
approaches, is made IN for by events
in the art field. for the Museum has
on exhibit paintings by B. j. O. Nord-
feldt a newcomer in the Santa Fe
art coloney, this being his first eX-
hibit and by Sheldon Parsons, one of
the older members of the colony but
whose fine landscapes are a source of
ever-recurrring delight each time he
exhibits a new collection. The paint
ings displayed now are the result of
this winters work and include mag
nificent snoWscapes of the Sangre de
Cristo mountains as viewed from
Aztec springs. There is mass and
soliditv to the mountains and at the
same time a marvellous play of color
light and shade and that subtle some
thing called atmosphere" One has
visualiZed the imagery that has al
ways played around mountains and
that is so beautifully expressed by the
psalmst of old. There are other
lovely snowscapes in gentler mood by
Parsons, some reminiscent of Redfield
and of Carlson and yet decidedly orig
inal. 1t is an exhibit that expresses
winters JOYS and an enthusiasm for
New Mexico landscape that make Par
sons us foremost exponent,
The other exhibit. that b. b. J. O..
Nordfeldt, IS a revelation to visitors.
1t fills three alcOves and makes each
center of interest and discussion.
The central one is filled with etch-
ings and drawings that are altogether
| lovely. There is superiority of
craftsmanship, of mastery of light and
| shade, of poetic view point, that cast
| a spell over the scenes in New York
| city IN northern France, in san Fran
cisco, which are all depicted. There
| is u faithfulneSS to truth, a fine re-
serve and simplicity which proclaim
! the successful artist. 1t Is well that
| the engravings are as they are for
they are needed to gain the sympathy
of neW-point that many a visitor
would deny the paintings at first
| blush for they are modern and yet,
primitive, in their treatment, utterly
at variance with the accepted stand
ards of the public. But having dem
onstrated that he is a superb drafts
man, that he can create pictures in
the academic and classic style which
the public likes immensely, he gains
a hearing for his modern technique
which leads to understanding and ad-
miration as one analyses the under
point of the artist There is admirable
simplicity and ruggednes about the
landscapes. The elimination of detail
! makes for vigor; the analysis of color
and the employment of pure tones are
instructive. This is even more obvious
in the portraits and the genre paint
ings. The Mexican interiors reveal a
fine discrimination in the applca-
ton of effects of chiaroscuro, all with
a sparcity of detail. that increases ad-
miration as one studies. Mr.. Nord-
feldt does not go to the extremes OF
Rurlin or Hartley or Sterne, or ever
Bellows whose paintings have been
on exhibit here for what he pictures
needs no diagram nor explanation
even though his way of presenting il
may not gain immediate popular ac-
claim. AS one ascends the Sc ale iff ART
expression, be it in painting, in poetry
in drama or in music. the more linn
tied the circle of those who really en-
joy and appreciate. The man whose
ideal in music is annie Rooney
hardly appreciates a Mcdowell SYM
phony.
TO the exhibit of drawings by the
I Indians, three striking examples We're
added. Next week, several new art
exhibits of much interest and conse-
quence are on the program. q n