New-York tribune., 1921-01-23
Random Impressions
I'm Current Exhibitions
tcoasiaued from preceding paas)

Maurice Fromkcs. A frankly romantic
nate II struck by Mr.. F. B. Williams,
and Mr.. Robert Henri sends in his
''rony," q crisp bit Of clever realism.
There are q number Of good landscapes
on the walls. among which we especially
note beautiful canvas by Mr.. Charles
Il. Davis, "Across the River; spark
hing aspiring Lyric" painted several
years ago by Mr.. Childe Hassam, and q
fine example Of Mr.. j. Francis Murphy.
The New York Water Color Club
fills the two principal galleries, and
fills them, as always, in light, enter
tanning manner. Surveying the mass
of S44 studies, we fnd any number of
bright, attractive episodes. We note
the vigorous talent Of Mr.. John E. Cos
tigan. We welcome with rejoicing the
stunning little portrait which Mr..
George Luks has made of himself. Mr..
Sargent is represented by couple Of
mastery camp sketches. Mr.. F. c.
Frieseke sends seven or eight little
water colors done in France and ap-
pcals to US through a personal touch
which we miss, customarily, in his oils.
There is another little group of pic
lures by Mr.. A. L. Groll, pictures made
in New Mexico, and he, too, gives us
something little new. There are other
modestly conspicuous things, things by
Sander Bernath, William Starkweather,
Rene Clarke, Henry Reuterdahl, L.
Neandross and Emily Groom. To these
we would add an uncommonly effective
nude study by Robert Phillip. But the
Water Color Club is not remarkable
! for conspicuous pictures. Its exhibi
tion is of interest for fair average
of technique, bestowed upon miscella-
neous and rather unimportant sub
jects. The National Sculpture Society
strengthens the display, Robert l. Ait
ken, Albin Polasek, Harriet Frishmuth,
Anna v. HYATT, Victor Salvatore, A. A.
Weinman and others sending admirable
bronzes, some Of which have been seen
USkOISs RuL all Ol WulCH are WSlCOluCs
Mrs. Edith Blight Thompson makes
at the Kingore gallery some delightful
contributions to that form of art which
has hitherto been most conspicuously
illustrated by Mr.. Walter Gay. She
paints portraits Of interiors, studies
Of drawing rooms, halls and studios, in
which furniture and decorated walls
supply the sole motif. She is not very
strong in composition. Her episodes
arc not chosen, or arranged, with that
perfect tact to which Mr.. Gay pointed
an engaging sense Of color and a good.
II not brilliant, technique. Her work
is safely carried past the status Of still
life, strictly speaking, to that of the
picture in which an element of life
vaguely plays, despite the absence of
human figures.
In the next room there are number
of paintings by the late CASTOR La
Touche. The big canvases are so much
gorgeous salon stuff, handsome deco
rative compositions, full Of sprighty
French technique, with just faint
suggestion of personality enduing the
old craftsmanship with q more piquant
and arresting quality. The smaller
canvases are by all odds the most
eloquent of something like a singular
gift. There is ar interior with figures
at tables half lost in gloom, there is
t1e back of coach glimpsed as the
vehicle proceeds through a forest,
there are kindred souvenirs of the
artists feeling for old scenes, old fur
niture, old costumes, all touched with
the glamour Of romance These work
IN quiet way certain spell. La
Touche was never a great painter, not
even a brilliant enc, but he had abili-
ties which lifted him above the rank
aud file.
The rest OF the space at the Kingore
gallery is given to portraits by M.
Czedekowski, q Polish painter. He is
skilled craftsman and models the
figure with an amplitude rather re-
freshing after the thin dry modelling
which we so often sec. In his color, too
he shows we'll disciplined taste. He
IS faciie and graceful craftsman.
Memorial exhibitions are chancv
things. Often they lean too heavily on
sentiment. 1t is not so with the ex-
hkition at the Folsom gallery. which
illustrates the talent of the late Henry
Martyr Hoyt. A friendly portrait Of
HIM, drawn in q leaflet by Miss f. S.
Sergeant, does not give US dates, but it
makes clear that Hoyt was young when
hesdied. There is youth in his work.
v1gor Of attack, certain elan which
~ouid undoubtedly have served him
well. He drew the figure with ease. he
drew 1T accurately, and he placed it in
eharmingly decorative compositions.
h's sound craftsmanship appears not
cnay in his paintings, but in a number
o. excellent etchings and dry points.
Mest Of his work, we take it. was done
"a the studio, from the model. but
tnere is particularly promising pic
sure here, "The She'd" which suggests
rnae ne was adding experience in the
open air to the sources of his vitality