New-York tribune., 1921-02-13

selected paintings by Mr.. Edmund
Greaeen, He has for several years
been working out what might be called
scheme of opslescent, tonality in
minor key. We have had glimpses of
it from time to time III local exhibi-
tions, but now the artist would appear
TO have arrived at a clear conception
of what he wishes to do. Without
emulating in any way the idea en-
bodied by Whistler in his "Nocturnes"
and ~'Symphonies," he nevertheless re-
minds us 8 little of the motif under
lying those beautiful inventions. 1t is
the motif Of subduing an arrangement
Of natural forms to note of color
through which nature is simplifed and
given subtly pervasive unity. Mr.. I
Grescen places figure in boat on
quiet stream against a background of !
trees. His harmony throughout is gov
erned by a tone in which blue fades !
into gray or is flushed with rose and !
heFe and there hint of gold. In diff
terent pictures he raises or lowers the
key, but they are all faithful to one
strain that is nothing if not serenely |
exquisite. 1t is all charming and a |
little pale, as though nature in this |
process OF refinement by art had be- |
come somewhat devitalized. 1t is deft, |
polished. highly accomplished work,
which needs the final justification |
which style alone could give it. A |
richer personal quality must be added |
to Mr. Greasen's undeniably artistic eff
feet before the latter can be regarded |
as having more than the value of an |
ingenious tour de force.
MIR. Otto Bierhals, who is showing
some landscapes at the Mussmann gal |
lery, has a clever way with him. He
uses pigment more than forcibly, lay
ing it on, we suspect, as often with
palette knife as with a brush. But in
stead of being heavy handed and coarse,
as is so often the case in such circum-
stances, he carries off his rather vio-
lent mode in skillful and likable
manner. Sometimes he makes fairly
ambitious composition, as in the meri-
torius "Sun Bathed." More often he
gives small thought to design, but
dashes off casual impression. It is
generally fresh and true. and he has an
individuality which, if not very sharp
ly marked, is still perceptible. There is
good work here.
Another young painter with modest
but genuine message is Mr.. Power
O'Maliey, who is exhibiting some Irish
scenes at the Knoedler gallery. He is
very different type from Mr., Bierhals.
No corrugated surfaces for him. His
method is smoother and slower. 1t is,
in its turn, equally expressive Of talent
He has, too, the special interest of 90
cal color" We can imagine the Irish
landscape, the Irish coast scene and
the obscure Irish cottage just as Mr.
O'Malley has painted them ALL He
touches the imagination with his pale
green's and his grays. And now and
then he quickens the pulse with
glimpse of wind swept blue sky. His
pictures have character. Technically,
they are in no wise brilliant, but they
are adequately painted, and here again
we are conscious Of faint trace of in
dividuality.
An important collection of Whistlcr's
hthographs is brought forward at the
keppel gallery. 1t offers an excep-
tional opportunity to the student, mas.
much as it contains Impressions of the
same Autographs as printed by Gould
ing and as printed by Way. Compare
son of the two printings is worth max
ing There are to be two more shows
at this place during the season. One
will be given to Legros and one to
Felix Buhot, the latter figure in
whom 1t is particularly gratifying to
have interest revived. During this
month there is also an exhibition of
Whistler's Autographs at the Harlow
gallery, an exhibition including aome
rarities.
Az the Folsom gallery there are some
water coiors by Mr.. Harry de Maine.
There is nothing markedly original
about his method, but he handles the
medium skillfully and he makes we'll
designed, friendly pictures. His land
scapes and harbor scenes are truthful,
they are filled with pleasant color and
we especially appreciate Mr.. de Names
proficiency, his way of doing his work
neatly and we'll.
The new pictures at the Daniel gallery
are from four artists, William ]. Glack-
ems, Robert Henri, Ernest Lawson and
Maurice Prendergast. They represent
familiar types in familiar form. The |
freshest sensation we have found in the |
collection is supplied by Mr.. Henri, |
whose Spanish Girl" has all his accus-
toned nervous force and is painted with
more delicaey than is usual with him.
An exhibition of the works of Pierre |
Brissaud and Bernard Boutet de Mon
vel Is being held in the Belmaison gall |
lery of John Wanamaker. Brissauds |
work is in water color, including !
number OF decorative little garden pic |
lures and several dainty interiors. Col |