NOTABLE PAINTINGS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21294, 13 October 1934, Page 8

NOTABLE PAINTINGS

♦ MR SYDNEY THOMPSON'S EXHIBITION The exhibition of paintings in oils by Mr Sydney Thompson, at the Durham street art gallery, which will close on Tuesday, includes some c-f the finest work yet shown in Christchurch by a New Zealand artist. His landscapes are remarkable for their repose, for the light which grows out of tnem, and for their strong colour. After this exhibition these pictures will not nc shown again in Christchurch. Several of the paintings show a new development in Mr Thompson's work, There is greater simplification, more smoothness of texture, and greater solidity of form, 1 hough the characteristics 'which have always given his work strength—his lisht. and pure colour—are not lost. Notable of these pictures is "The Church at Loironan" (No. 39), which appeals by its directness and the repose of its architectural composition. It is also specially interesting technically as an example of the smooth use of colour without losing the definition and glowing light which is looked for in Mr Thompson's work. "Morning Light" (No. 16) is also a later work, being a landscape study in green and mauve, with simplified treatment of masses. The use of large figures as an es- ■ sential part of the composition of his . pictures is notable in Mr Thompson's ; work They are never mere incidents, : and though they carry Ihe znmn strong . colour as the rest, of the picture, they are admirably drawn, revealing the action of the limbs beneath the cloth- ', ing. In "Tunny-fishers, Concarneau," ' (No. 3) a group of men by the shore balances the picture, and the light on their blue coats emphasises the life ', in the figures. Similar qualities are to be found in "Landing Sardines'' | (No. 14). The loose movement of har- ! bour water is well conveyed in "La Digue" (No. 33) and in "Clouds" (No. ■ 35); the looming sky reflects a mauve ■ light on to the blue and brown sails » of fishing boats. In "Olive Trees" (No. 53), the indescribable colour of the s leaves blends with shadows, and the ■ trunks make a sweeping pattern against the warmly lighted corner of a build- > ing with green-shuttered windows. A > similar mood is seen in "Fountain at • Grasse" (No. 58) with its lucent > shadows. [ Mr Thompson is also a good painter ; of horses. He seems to convey their • patient spirit, and to do more than . use their convenient shapes and colt ours for the composition of his pic- , lures. Outstanding examples are Nos. ' 17, 11, and 25. t ■ i i „. -