ART SOCIETY'S EXHIBITION.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9431, 1 June 1896, Page 6

ART SOCIETY'S EXHIBITION.

AMONG THE PICTURES.

Third Notiob. In continuing our reference to those pictures now on view at the exhibition of the Art Society, which have been sent in by other thau local artists, it is matter for regtet that Nelson—the home of artistic excellence—is not more fully represented. One always looks forward to the contributions of the Nelson artists as well worth seeing, and their works always add greatly to the attractiveness of the Exhibition. Next year it is to be hoped they will be far more iv evidence than this. Mr N. Barraud (Wellington) sends several meritorious pictures. " Sketch on Lagoon—Autumn'" (307) is well painted. The native vegetation in the foreground is excellent, and the autumn trotof the foliagein the middle distance makes a pleasing contrast of colour. The perspective ts good, and so is the painting of the clouds. " Sunset, New Norfolk, Tasmania " (319) is rather stiff and constrained in treatment, and the shadows on the water are somewhat unnatural. In "South-easter, Cook's Strait" (330), Mr Barraud has been successful in reproducing masses of water in motion ; a little less stiffness would, however, have been au improvement: The sky is well done, and generally the picture is one showing considerable artistic talent. It is satisfactory to be able to note that Signor Nerli (Dnnedin) has departed for the nonce from his usual style of vagueness and suggestions of his subject only. This school of painting, like many other fads, is happily on the wane, the days of three splashes of paint to the right, and three to the left, constituting the picture, being numbered, we are glad to say. That Biguor Nerli is artistically capable of far better things than this is amply proved by his charming picture "Study" (46). This is a three-quarter length portrait of a lady dressed in walking attire, with hat and veil on. The more one looks at it the more it grows upon the visitor. The flesh tints aie admirable, and though the veil is over the face it shows up excellently, and atauds out markedly. The details of the attire are moat faithfully and artistically done, aud the picture as a whole is certainly one of the most successful of the many that Sipnor Nerli hf.s exhibited here. Another of his pictures, which is lent to the exhibition by Mr R. Watson, •'The Cigarette," docs not convey much idea of the ration d'itre of the title. It is a boldly painted male head, iv which the expression is naturally and well caught and the details very artistically painted. Mrs A. Morice (England) is always a welcome exhibitor; and it is pleasing to note that she still keeps up her connection with Canterbury through her charming pictures. This year she sends two very diverse subjects, but both most artistically painted. These are, "Summer Time, England" (285) aud "Murren, Switzerland " (315). They are both well worth a careful study on the part of visitors, and more especially of our younger artists. Want of decision and power is the main lault noticeable in the pictures sent in by Mrs Malcolm Ross (Duncdin). This lady has the true artist instinct of grouping flowers for effect of contrast of colour, but fails when vigour and freedom of treatment is necessary. This is noticeable in "Primroses" (18), where the different colours are well contrasted, and also in two flower pieces, *' Roses" (57) and (67). In the seoond picture there is more freedom and vigour in the painting, and consequently it is perhaps the mofct successful of the three flower pieces exhibited by Mrs Ross. Her picture of a little girl "Violet" (24), though being in a rather unfavourable position, is a charming one. Tbe face is well painted, and the picture deserves a place where it could be more easily seen by visitors. The pictures sent by Miss Joel (Dunedio)this year are an improvement on those of last. "A Study" (70) is ■o well done that one is led to hope that the artist will Rive more attention to this kind of work than to the nude, her efforts in whioh direotion hitherto can scarcely be called successful. The picture under notice iB a male head in which real artistic merit of * high order is exhibited. The drawing is good and the flesh tints excellent. Altogether one is glad to be able to congratulate Miss Joel on this picture, and also to reiterate the hope chat in future exhibitions we shall have more of a similar character from her brush. No one would thiuk that the same artist had painted "Study" (20.) The pose is cramped and unnatural, and the figure is badly drawn. The treatment of the flesh tints is exaggerated, and thegeneral result is inartistic, almost the same may be said of "Shy" (80). There is far too much colour in the face, and the attitude is ungraceful. In " Roses " (229) there is noticeable a want of decision. The flowers are well drawn, bat the painting is weak. Perhaps one of the most remarkable exhibits in the Exhibition is the picture by Miss Hodgkins (Dunedin), " She has Two Eyes so Soft and Brown " (257). The eyes are beautifally painted, showing up very markedly, but the rest of the picture to a great extent is marred by disregard of details. Tho background is too light, and the colour on cheeks and lips far too vivid, giving one the idea that the lady, to use a theatrical expression, is "made np." The drawing of the face and figure is excellent, and but for the defeots pointed out the picture wonld be one of the most successful in the Exhibition. " Snsie " (274) a portrait of a coloured lady by the same artist is noticeable for the clever reproduction of expression, bob the general effect of the picture is somewhat marred by the peculiar purplish shade of the hair, which is not by any means true to nature. Two charming pastels represent the act of Nelson, and worthily too. There are by Mrs M. Cooke, and for successful colouring and general high artistio merit stand prominently oat. That they both bear a "sold" ticket is scarcely to be wondered at. "Le Toilet" (255) is wonderfully well painted, and the oontrast of colours artistically managed. The figure is capitally drawn, and the artist in the pose and expression of the face has been singularly successful in infusing an air of naturalness to the picture, whioh makes it most attractive. The same may be said of " Danseuse " (273), also by Mrs Cooke, in which some daring combinations of colours are introduced very suooessfully. Mrs Whetter (Dnnedin) sends in a promising picture ** Tomahawk Beach " (44) whioh is a specimen of bold free painting. The bluff head is well done, showing much breadth of treatment, and the water is also good. Mies McLeod (Dnnedin) sends two piotures, both exhibiting considerable talent. "En Attitude (4) is well painted. The pose is natural and effective, and the artist has been successful in the details. " Anemones" (9) by the same artist is also well painted. Mr Farrier (Timarn) sends a picture "S.S. Wakatipn leaving Timarn " (277). There is not much in it. The details are well done but tbe subjeot is scarcely one to seleob for an exhibition picture.