THE AUCKLAND SOCIETY OF ARTS EXHIBITION.

Auckland Star, Volume XII, Issue 3338, 7 April 1881, Page 2

THE AUCKLAND SOCIETY OF ARTS EXHIBITION.

A considerable portion of (he public evinced a due appreciation of works of art in the courao of yesterday, and in the evening the Choral Hall was completely filled by lovers of art and visitors. The hall was properly decorated with flags and other adornments, kindly lent by the captain of the good ship, Oxford, now in port, and the drapery which added to the scene by Messrs Garlick and Cranwell, of Queen-street. The handsome pier glasses were lent by Messrs Holland and Butler. Mr Impey's Band enhanced the interest of the exhibition by the performance of a series of selections of a high order.

Continuing our remarks upon the oil paintings in their catalogued order, we notice that Mr Albin Martin, who has devoted many years to the study, and who is an active member of the society, contributes no less than eight of his pictures, mostly local, or within an easy distance of the city. These comprise a view of the Auckland harbour, a scene at East Tamaki, North Shore (two views), Howick ranges, a garden party at the Hon. James Williamson's, early morning at the Tamaki, and a moonlight scene. These pictures bear the delicate peculiarities of the artist, and are light and pleasant in accordance with his well-known style. Mr Pownall's wayside scene at Mgatimoti is a very creditable picture. Mr J. G. Trevithick has also been fairly successtul in delineating the Auckland harbour by moonlight, and two other marine views. The harbour scene is too deeply coloured, which renders it unrealistic. His "Close Hauled," however, is true to the original, and his view of the Regatta of the present year will be prized for its general faithfulness. Mr T. L. Drummond is a hard and devoted artworker, and his seven presentations deserve particular mention. Mr Drummond's paintings comprise : "Shoal Hay — Sunset," " Moonlight," " Off a Lee Shore near Takapuna," " On the Sands," " On the Rocks," " Creek near Takapuna Lake." Mr Drummond's pictures have an air of truth and individuality in them, and show that the artist, in fact as all true artists have, a poet's eye for the beauties of the material world, with a fondness for nature's solitudes in the repose of evening. Perhaps the critic on a careful examination, might discover simple defects, which time and study might remedy with advantage. Mr George Sturtevant is a young artist of rising merit, as his " Coaling Station at the Bay of Islands," and several water-colour sketches indicate, Mr K. Watkins is an artist of good reputation, and his pictures invariably find a ready sale. His well-defined and truthful view of "The Waikato River from Tuakau," "A Bush Track in the Waitakerei Ranges, and " Kauri Trees " in the same locality, are all in Mr Watkins' best style, although we prefer the Waikato picture —undoubtedly the best of the three. As previously noticed, the ladies of Auckland have done much towards the success of the exhibition, and their exhibits are noteworthy. On the whole, owing to the lady artists, the exhibition is decidedly above the average of merit. Miss Outhwaite's picture of " Pakanea" is excellent in its way. S. R. Keesing's pictures are highly to be commended for their tone and finish. The "Scene in the Domain," and the "Afternoon Nap" are characteristic and promising in this new competitor for fame. Mrs Burcher's pictures display talent which only needs developing. Her several representations of "Azaleas," "Sympathy," and a "Waterfall," are above mediocrity, and creditable. Mrs Hart exhibits several small paintings, which are very unequal in merit. The Hayfiold Scene "is pretty nnd well defined, but the Jersey picture bears no comparison to it; and, although Mrs Hart's name is given as that of the artist, we think the two could not possibly have been produced by the same hand. The blue trees in the bay are quite out of the order of nature, even in Jersey. There must be some mistake in the catalogue. Mrs Hart must surely be the owner, and not the artist of both pictures. Miss Horne, a daughter of Dr. Horne, has performed good work by her Falls on the Waihoi Creek," "Aubrey's Hill," " Sketch on the Hemu River," and others; while her sister, Miss C. W. Horne, gives a view of Palliser's Bay, a bush scene at Wairapa (?), and another in the Waikato. These paintings show much taste and talent. Mrs F. Brodie's view from Campbell's Point commands a good view of the sea. The Devonshire scenes by Mr Thomas Ball bring to memory pleasant recollections of North Devon and its picturesque coast. Mr Ball's several views of Whangaroa Harbour, Titirangi, and the Manukau, are fair, average productions. Mrs Halcombe's views of Auckland harbour from the Convent, Mount Egmont, and St. John's College aro marked by several artistic excellencies.