New-York tribune., 1921-11-13
Prints
The Eachings Of James McBey
and Others

and Others
Collectors took note of the etchings
of James McBey when they first ap-
peared ten years or SO ago. The gen.
eral public has seen comparatively
little of him, though be was fairly con-
spicuous among the British artists
who went to the front and made war
pictures for the government. His mill
tary fragments are included in the ex-
hibition OF his plates now available at
the Keppel gallery. They are among
the best things of an artistic nature
that the war produced, true, expressive
of power, and having SAVIOR OF style.
But the merit OF this show lies in the
fact that it presents Mr.. Mercy at full
length.
In his pupilage he is said to have
studied the masterpieces OF Rembrandt.
In looking over his work we come here
and there upon suggestions that he has
also got some inspiration from Whis-
tier. But he has never initiated either
the one or the other. On the contrary.
the first thing to be observed about Mr..
McBey is the originality of his art. The
next is that he is not impeccable. His
line is not seldom thin and wiry. 1t
sometimes breaks down in the queer
est fashion imaginable In sky or in
the treatment of water. He faIters, oc-
casionally, in his search for the right
expressive touch, and the needle then
turns feeble where he is wont to keen
1t strong and constructive. Taken in
its length and breadth his work Is re-
markable for its high quality. His line
at its best is very beautiful. not thin
hut delicate, not wiry but subtle. not
vague but exactly faithful to the CON
tour of earth or cloud that he wishes
TO define.
de draws architecture rs he draws
landscape, with knowledge, but even
more by instinct. Without disparaeine
the delightful D. Y. Cameron we NAV
nevertheless say that after his sustere
draftsmanship-and the hardness that
IL taxes on in the plates Of his
disciples--it is refreshing to come
ipon drawing with tho elasticity of Mr.
Ncbey's- The present exhibition is
comprehensive, showing what the ar.
tist has done at home, in Spain. in
Morocco, in Palestine and elsewhere.
IL IS warmly to be welcomed. The sea-
son cannot give Us a fresher. more in
tercsting sensation.
Another collection of prints to be
nailed with cordiality is the one at
the Kennedy gallery of the etchirgs
ana dry points of Mr.. Frank w. Ben
son. SIX new plates arc added to the
familiar company. A Sunrise" and y
"eampfiae' arc among these latest
productions, charming pieces both ::
but as usual, it is in the celebration
OF Wild fowl that Mr.. Benson takes ma
captive. There is an traordinarv fe-
hcity IN his fusion of nature and art.
Ills ducks arc etched in so many wholly
convincing portraits. whether motion
less or on the wing, they are creatures
taken by surprise, as accurately. enc
feels, as If by the camera. But then
the artist intervenes and makes a
charming composition, pattern of
torn and color which, gives his wosk
beauty matching its truth. We have
seen his plates scores OF times and
always with the pleasure that comes
from new thing.
lie has rival at the Harlow gallery
IN Mr.. Roland H. Clark, who has pro-
duccd quantity OF admirable etch-
ings and dry points, dedicated to wild
fowl. with doubtless the same ardor,
1t is obvious that Mr. Clark, too, is d
deep student Of the movement of fowl
in fight, of characteristic groupings,
and Of the curious decorative grace
that goes with this aspect OF natural
life. AS an executant we should say
that he was even more sophisticated
than Mr.. Benson, carrying his skill
into finer minutia of representation.