New-York tribune., 1921-12-18

The new building Of the Art Center,
as has already been stated in The
Tribune, 10 = place for all manner Of
exhibitions. From the Roman Academy
the visitor may pass to collection
OF Christmas cards produced by art
lists. TherA is group of paintings and
drawings made in the South Seas by
Mr.. Armstrong Sperry. In still another
room there are water colors done
in Tibet, India and China by Miss
Gertrude Hadenfeldt. This last men
toned artist. who has spent some
seven years in the East, affords US
enc of the happiest sensations Of the
season. We cannot speak too cordially
of her drawings. They denote in the
first place q remarkable fair for the
right picturesque motive, really see
ing eye, which has caught not only
Of romantic places. Add to this q
positive gift for variety, which mani
tests itself both in the choice of sub
ject and in the minuti@ of treatment.
Miss Hadenfeldt's sketches are in all
keys, sometimes they are lavish of
detail, sometimes they boldly summar-
;zs scene, and the always attractive
color is laid on with a firm, individual
ICED touch. She is a competent crafts
man, with interesting things to say.
Her exhibition is not to be neglected.
How shall an artist paint great
mountain peaks and bring them into
the picture? 1t has been done. Turner
it is not easy, as many an artist has
found. The latest to make the attempt
IS Mr.. Charles Warren Eaton, at the
Macbeth gallery. We have good mem
nlories of paintings by him, quiet in
tone, carefully drawn. The familiar
merits appear again in these new can
vases of his, done in Glacier National
Park. But while we recognize his old
ability as workman, we miss the pic
torial freshness and charm for which
mis- prevailing theme cries aloud. Once,
in the painting called "At Sundown-Tw
Medicine Valley" the composition is
rs good as the color and the skiilful
distribution of light. In general, his
mountains have bulk without majesty
he gives us impressions which are
doubtless accurate, but which have
only mild interest.
In the lower room at this place there
are a number Of small, almost minia
ture, paintings by Mr.. G. A. Williams.
In the treatment of landscape he is
deft and pleasantly fervid, an autumnal
richness of coloration giving weight
20 his extremely minute studies. The
xomanticism vaguely suggested in
these clever bits comes out frankly
and boldly in his figure compositions.
The best of these is the gypsy picture
of "The Traders" brilliant little per-
formance, not quite as jewellike as a
Monticelli, but with hint in it Of the
operatic glow of that master. Mr.. Will
liams's fancy takes now and again
symbolical turn. We are not much con-
eerned with his exact meaning. 1t is
enough that in his tiny designs grace
full form emerges out of the glow Of
color. His work is slight in substance
vet it wakes a warm repose.
Last spring, when the Society of
French Landscape Painters made an ex-
hibition at the Anderson galleries, we
received rather disappointing impress
sion. Now there is another collection
in the same place, introduced as forming
a "Salon Francais." We do not know
If it comes from the same organization
though few Of the previous exhibitors
are again represented. M. Montezin, for
example, we are glad to see a second
time, skillful painter and a pleasing
colorist. M. Petitjean, too, repeats his
effective delineation of landscape en-
riched by architecture. The "Collines
du Jura,' by M. Grosjean, is q good
landscape, especially to be commended
for its craftsmanship and it's broad
modelling of rolling country. They are
promising grays in the two pictures by
M Jacob. His tone is more promising
than convincing. His mode Of design
slightly decorative in pattern, is decid-
edly winning. There are clever pieces
by NJ. Lantier, M. Montassier and M
Morchain. The single study from the
figure is smoothly drawn portrait OF
woman in romantic costume, by M
Maxence. The show as whole is better
than its predecessor, more even in quail
ity, without bringing forward any strik-
ing individual figure
Mr.. Russell Cheney, at the Babcock
gallery, has store of energy which
alone would win sympathy for his ex-
hibition. It is the essence Of his tai
ent. How true this is may be seen
by glancing first, paradoxically, at his
least successful pictures. those painted
from Oriental idols and the like. Such
themes require in the technician the
utmost suavity and precision, fac
ulty for extorting from pigment the
most delicate nuances of sensuous
beauty. Mr.. Cheney takes them by
storm and thereby misses his chance.
Subtleties of tone are not In his book.
But let him attack a problem In har-
mony with his robust method and he
builds upon 1t compelling fabric Of