MUSEUM AND INSTITUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume VII, Issue 1974, 7 June 1876, Page 3

MUSEUM AND INSTITUTE.

I #BLA CKANDWHITEEXHIBITION.

ener al excellence of the pictures which f&^prised in this exhibition, is indica»r fl c\ i j a h ar fcistic talent existent in AuckS**° rrjj'ere is scarcely a single drawing '"(.'hired which is really unworthy of criti--6 .X while some evince the'possessionof genius i^L limners. Excluding from our notice fforts of such a well-known painter as IrAlbvn Martin, we will attempt a slight „«> of those which strike us at the first Hce No. 3. "The Casket Scene in tho Merchant of Venice," by Miss M. Ridings, is Lyon sketch of great merit. No. 4, by ii r T Jones, is an artistic charcoal drawing a French frigate rescuing a shipwrecked crew; L storm is very graphically depicted. w 0 \, A pencil drawing, "Roses," toMisfl Warner, is very promising, i „L| e more may be *n\& of No. 7, : (Vmale and Flowers," by, Miss Holder, I" performance of rare excellence. No. .V catches in Pen and Ink exhibited ! p.. Home, look uncommonly like engrav.m.'if they are not, the praise is the iSer. No. '12 " The Portrait of Colonel TSslneavis" is the work of no mean artist. «„_ 13, "The Cap of Liberty." by Miss E. 1 TTfiider.is a crayon drawing, well finished and toned down. Nos. 14, 19, 35, are sketches in psDcil or crayon by Miss R. Vaile, and all exhibit considerable talent, especially when the ago °^ *^c ar*'sf; < 15. is taken into consideration. . No. 15. " The I (JrowD of Thorns," by Mrs J. M. Clark, is a | cra y on picture, well executed, and showing 1 c3rf f u l treatment of the subject. Mr. J. (gyraons contributes in No. 18, a fine sepia sketch entitled "A Dangerous Position." The artist has grasped his subjnet •pell and treated it carefully. Mrs Onthwaite, in No. 22, " Off the Co«.t," give us a I very faithful outline of the Kawau. Nos. 24 and 25. by Miss A. Crawford, are Indian Ink representations of the well - known psintifltfs, " The Duel in the Air," and "The Jack in Office." They are faithfnlly sketched and very vigorous. In No. 20. »A Faneral in Venice," by G. W. Elmes, is depicted in Indian ink a characteristic scene of the water city. The sketch is very elaborately finished, and is exceedingly effective. Miss Page shows talent in 2S, "A Girl in Prayer." H. Lloyd's "Design for an Address," in pen and ink, shows inventive I talent of a high order as well as good taste and skill. Miss K. Ridings, in 32 and 33,

J gives two faithful in Indian ink. This lady handles her brush like an artist. . Miss J. Webster's " Study of Heads,', in j pencil, is a vnry commendable performance.

Mi~s J. Oufchwaite is the contributor of Nos. 36 and 37 ; and Miss Oufchwaite of Nbs. 81, 84, 91, 96. The first named pair are really good pen and ink sketches, while the others, with the exception of 91, which is a sepia drawing, are crayon pictures, evidencing care and skill of a very striking description. Miss E. Cheeseman contributes No. 38, "Madonna"; No. 47, "Madonna and Anpels"; No. 49, "Crossing the Ford"; No. 50, "The Poultry Dealer"; No. 51, "The Assumption of the 'Virgin." These are among the most noteworthy Indian ink drawings in the exhibition. They are vigorous and splendidly finished works of art, the softened effect imparted giving proof of a master hand. In 30 and 39, Miss M. Ridings shows up well with two excellent drawings, respectively orayon and pencil; these, we notice, are for sale. No. 40, " One, Two, Three," a crayon drawing of a dog, by Miss Holder, is very pretty, and a credit to the fair artist. No. 44, "That Boy," a crayon sketch by A. J. Hunter, is a very speaking picture—the mischievous young rascal bearing his character in his face. No. 46, " The Favorites,", a pen and ink sketch by Miss Page, is particularly interesting as well as meritorious, Mr C. Palmer's, " Belle of the Kainga" is promineut for free and artistic treatment, while No. 52, a sepia etching, by the same author, is well worth studying, a remark that also applies to 54. Mr Wbitemore's "Boys' Heads." No. 53, is well executed in crayon. Mr J. K. Vaile sends No 55, a crayon picture of " Melrose Abbey," seen as Scott says it should be seen —by moonlight ; also Nos 112 and 114, two penoil sketches. These are well worth inspection. Mr G. Sfcurtevant shows two elaborate studies in crayons,, and a crayon drawing of " Cattle." These are well toned down, and exhibit a facility of treatment indicative of artistic talent. " Barnaby Budge," by a novice, should encourage the sketcher to try again ; a remark which also applies to No 61, " The First Night in the Convent." Mr Whitmore's heads bear critical examinations well. No 65, " St Mary's Church, Parnell." by A. Eiley, is a very striking likeness. Mrs Clarkson's "Profileof a Youth" is sketched with remarkable freedom and boldness. Mr T. Warner's landscapes in Indian Ink and sepia are good, the perspective and foreshortening being beautifully calculated. No. 72. " Cruising Among the Water Lilies," a pencil sketch exhibited by Dr. Home, is good, but is not, we understand, the production of home talent. Miss Morris sends half a dozen highly meritorious sketches, of which No. 78, "The brig under full sail," is about the best. They all show talent. Mrs Elmes shows a capital Indian Ink sketch of a Flower Girl, and another of "Elaine." Both are indicative of skill of a rare order. Mr J. Waymouth sends two drawings, one a pencilled "Dog" by a foreign hand, and a specimen of naval architecture, deserving of praise. Mr Allen's sketch of Auckland harbour is very accurate, and makes a pretty picture. Miss Holder's " Waiting for the Shot," and "Looking for his Master," are very superior productions, and bespeak the talent of the young lady whose work they are. Miss A. Warner has executed a very nice sketch of Lake Thun in pencil. Mr J. Debney's "Mercury" and "Touch him if you dare" exhibit great promise. Miss Anstie's " Heads " are beautifully executed, and will be much admired. Mrs Clarkson exhibits, No. 104, " A Rural Scene," and two heads in crayon. The artiste may be congratulated upon her success in imparting a very life-like roundness to both her studies. Miss Home's " View at Wairarapa" Is a very pretty picture. 112 and 114 are marine drawings by Master Vaile, and show by their excellence that the young artist will develope useful talent. A "Landscape" in Indian ink, by Mr T. Warner, which is very | natural and free completes our notice. Th« Society should be much obliged to Mr A. Martin for his numerous contributions. It is sufficient to say they fully sustain that gentleman's great reputation as an artist.

We are struck with the fact that in thiß collection the productions of the ladies outdo those of the gentlemen. It is difficult to ascribe this to any other reason than that the best artists of the sterner sex will not give their time to this lighter branch of their beautiful study.