DUNEDIN SCHOOL OF ART CLUB'S EXHIBITION.

Evening Star, Issue 8614, 7 September 1891, Page 3

DUNEDIN SCHOOL OF ART CLUB'S EXHIBITION.

(Continued from fourth page.) The following is a brief notice of the "works on view, which number about 200 :- The first picture in the catalogue ia a study of a boy'a head and shoulders in chalk, by Mr A. H, O'Keefe, who has a fairly numerous lot of exhibits. This study is good, notably for the expression of the face, which is natural. 'A Bachelor's Table' (lent by Mr Riedle) introduces to notice the almost univereal companion of the bachelor—a tobacco pipe, with its attendant tobacco, matches, etc.—and in this ability in drawing is clearly notioeable.

Mr E. B. Hay ward's study of a loaf of bread has merit; bat the surface of the loaf, which ia cut, does not present a tempting appearance, though the painting of the crust is cleverly carried out. In his ' Prescription' a very good effect has been obtained, the articles, in the shape of medicine bottles and measures, standing out in good relief. 'A Night Study' and * Shaving Utensils' (a small water color) are among the other nuaieroua pictures from Mr Hay ward's brush. In his * Morning Breeze' this gentleman has given an effective picture, though the waves are a trifle hard in their aspect; but he has been more successful in this in the scene ' From Cargill's,' in which the caves are shown, though even here there is a certain amount of hardness, and scumbling might be used with advantage in the distance. He has brought to a successful iasue the Btudy of still life, in which he has depicted fruit, a tankard, and half of a cocoanut, the latter being exceptionally cleverly painted. Close beside this hangs a small but really exquisitely painted oil color representing the interior of a room, the only drawback being in the child's figure, which is stiff and not entirely natural. «The Old Mill (Kaikorai Valley)' is rather highly colored, but the artist has achieved some success in the field of corn, the stooks being about the best feature. The chej d'vuvre of this gentleman is the still-life atudy * Which Will Yon Have ?' A mass of tempting fruit, with a bottle of ginger ale, nuts, and cake, are laid before the speojator in a most natural way. The rough surface of the pineapple and the fibrous appearance of the cocoanut are exceedingly good, and the bottle leads one to believe that it really is hollow, and contains liquid. It is evident the!; Mr Hayward'c forte lies in the direction of Bitch studies &s this. Mr E. E. Packer has a numerous collection of landscapes in oil, the first on the catalogue being a painting of 'Dusky Sound,' in which the artist has been successful in bis treatment of the misty appearance of the hills. The painting is certainly above the average work of the amateur, and it must commend itself to even the ordinary observer that there are many points of excellence about the picture. ' The Day is Far Spent,' from the same brush, is a bush scene, in oil, in whioh is represented a camp, to which the men have returned after the work of the day, and are in the aot of preparing the evening meal. There is a lot of work in this production, and the foliage has been well handled, the coloring being more in keeping with the natural shades of the New Zealand bush than is usually the case, painters being generally somewhat prone to exaggerate in this respect. 'Nicol's Creek Fall,'a wellknown scene, is very faithfully depicted by Mr E. E. Packer in oil colors. The creek had evidently been in a state of flood at the time the picture was taken, and the masß of water tumbling down is cleverly managed, and does not look heavy, as is very apt to be the case. The luxuriant foliage has been well treated, and in this difficult treatment of the art Mr Packer is evidently fairly at home. 'Preservation Inlet' is a different kind of atudy, and the rippling wave effect has been well cangbt. The coloring ia a little brighter than the rest of Mr Packer's pictures, and is, if anything, an improvement in that respect. The island, the most striking object in the landscape, is covered with rich bash ; and in the left corner of the background rise the heavy mists, whioh appear natural in texture. ' Hall's Arm, Smith Sound,' is a combination of rugged mountains, with verdure and water, on which, in the distance, is seen approaching the good steamer Tarawera. The mist effect, and the gentler roll of the waves, barely sufficient to distort the reflections cast, are the two salient points in this oil color. No. 23, 'Tea Service,' by Mr D. Scott, shows considerable care in the painting. In his exhibit of 'Brighton Beach' Mr Scott has succeeded in catching a good

sky, and committing it to canvas in a natural manner, but the picture lacks wasmth. His still life study of various artioles, numbered 162 on the programme, is excellently painted, but the grouping is a trifle stiff. There is a large amount of work in the study, which is clothed in rioh coloring. The shells, not easy of representation, are particularly well handled, and the whole is a picture of deep riohness. 'Akatore Beach' is from the same artist, who has succeeded with a good sky effeot, but the coloring of his sea might be improved upon. From the brush of Mr W. P. Meeton, who has now, we believe, left the colony, we have an oil painting entitled ' Evening (Otago Harbor),' which but for the water would be a very excellent effort indeed, the drawing being faithful, and the color skilfully laid on. The best water color shown by Mr R. Coghill is probably ' Blueskin Bay,' whioh is creditable, and well deserving of a place on the wall. A study of a bunch of carrots, painted in oil, is also from the brush of Mr Coghill, who has handled his subject well, and given a very natural appearance to the much esteemed vegetable. Mr S. O'Keefe, who is a prolific painter, has a large number of works on view, most of which are to be highly admired. His still life study of a Japanese fan, with a vase standing in a tray, and an apple and a book, hj probably as good as is to be found in the exhibition, The detail and coloring are exceptionally good, and the artioles stand out in a most natural way. It is evident that Mr O'Keefe is a careful painter, and one who is accustomed to spend considerable pains on bis productions. 'A Paint Box,' by this gentleman, is hung in such a position that it is difficult to see into the picture, but it appears to be a meritorious though small piece of work. 'The Cives (Cargill's)' is a small painting in oil, in which Mr O'Keefe has been successful in faia treatment of the waves rolling in on the beach, they having a natural and realistic effect. The whole of the water is well depicted and colored true to nature, and the position from whioh the picture 1b taken is a well chosen one. ' Burkes, 1 looking towards the Heads, with the jetty and a steamboat as central figures, is well worthy of inspection, the subject of color being judiciously thought out and carried into effect. The still life study of a book, and a candle in a bottle, is cleverly managed, the candle with the "gutterings" down the side calling for special mention. A chalk drawing by Mr R. Neilson giveß promise and shows a painstaking hand. The subject is a couple of newspapers, and the pencil has been deftly wielded, the drawing being good and the Bhading soft and carefully considered in detail. In another effort in the same department the sketch is entitled ' Measures,' the meaning of which is not very clear. The subjeot is a glass goblet standing on a mat, and the whole is well treated. Another chalk drawing from this young man's pencil is a study of old boots, in which, however, rather a heavy hand has been used, and the drawing is consequently somewhat dark. ' Nature's Mirror (Otago Harbor)' is from the brush of Mr D. E. Hutton, who has succeeded in representing a very placid scene pleasingly, but the coloring might be improved upon. The punt*, a prominent feature in this picture, are nicely managed, and the drawing, as in nearly all of this exhibitor's efforts, is exceptionally good, and calls for special commendation. 'Sumner Bridge (Canterbury),' also in oil, represents a stretch of river, the bridge occupying the middle distance; while in the background the hills rise peak above peak. The slatygrey sky, which Mr Hutton seems partial to, is found in this as in most of bis scenes, and the picture, though effective, might be rendered still more so with a more critical observance of the colors used. 'Sunrise (Carey Bay)' is another depiction of land and water from the same brush, the sunrise effect being fairly good. Mr Hutton has been successful in his 'Study of a Head,' ' with the exception of the coloring of the face, that not being of quite a natural tint; but otherwise the production is a worthy one. 'The Mouth of the Avon' (Christchurch) is done in oil colors. There is not a great deal in the subject, the major part of the canvas being token up by the placidly flowing river, the coloring of whioh is a little peculiar; still, taken as a whole, the effect is good, the perspective being well preserved, and what drawing there is is above reproach. Miss J. Pollock has hnng three works. The first of these is 'Pink and White,' which title is represented by lilies in a vase, which stands on a fleecy-looking mat. The flowers and the mat are capitally managed, but the vase or jar has not been so skilfully handled. ' A Fireside Study,' from the brush of this lady, is a more ambitious Bight; and in it she shows undoubted capability. There ia a lot of work in the subject, which Miss Pollock has treated with care ; and the only strong exception to the general excellence of the painting is the figure in the chair, though the carpeting of the room doea not quite convey the idea it is intended to, there being just a suspicion of a stubble field about it. The third work iB ' Trifles,' a study of various small articles ; and the drawing in this iB, though of a comparatively simple character, good.

Mr P. M'lntyre shows three samples of his handiwork, the first being a female head done by the air brush, and must, therefore, be considered somewhat of a mechanical effort. The effect is beautifully soft. In the ' Study of a Girl's Head and Shoulders,' in which a young girl is represented seated at a desk with head on hand, reading a letter, a capital expression of the face has been caught, and the work, which is in chalk, ia softly and carefully carried into effect. Hia study from still life shows excellent drawing and careful attention to detail.

Mr J. Kilgour's ' Opoho Creek ' is wanting in distance, and cannot be considered one of his best tfforts. ' Poor and Rich Man's Breakfast' is the subject of a little study in oil by the same gentleman. The articles of every day life, such as jug, cup, and knife are well put on the canvas, but the egg is decidedly a bad oolor. A study of a boy's head in oil is not entirely a successful attempt, though not devoid of merit. The subject is a most difficult one, and the shading under the chin does not give the effect of throwing the throat back from it, but rather indicates a double chin, 'A Spill,' from the same brush, showing a bottle of ink spilt over a copy book, on the corner of which lies blotting paper, is a skilful effort, the idea having been thoroughly well grasped and carried into effect. 'Christmas Dessert,' by Miss A.Emery, is a Bmall study of a bunch of grapes, ivy, and a glass tumbler; and the young lady has also another study of fruit in 'ARosy-cheeked Apple,' the apples having, however, too soft an appearance, the general effeot being shadowy. The jar, is, however, well done. •My Window Sill,' by the same lady, represents a pot plant in flower, which looks fresh ana natural.

A Btnall painting in oil, the work of Miss £. Boot, is an effective depiction of a geranium in blossom, but the picture is marred by a background of a rather rough and unfinished kind.

Six very nicely executed pictures from the brush of Miss M. Wain do credit to that youDg lady's taste. ' Treasures' shows a collection of small articles grouped, and tbe drawing and coloring, as well as the evident care bestowed in detail, are all of a praiseworthy order. ' When at Leisure,' • A Study of Flowers,' 'Sad Thoughts,' and two studies of herds complete this exhibitor's work ; and all these lead one to believe that Miss Wain is a diligent and conscientious painter, who strives, and not unsuccessfully, to give a natural and intelligent representation of the tasks to which she applies herself. MrR. F. Smith has a considerable number of small water colors, most of whioh are done in the sketching style, and consequently show in some oases a want of finish or completeness. In bis study of a child's head he has been more successful than the majority of exhibitors in getting a color approaohing a flesh tint, and it is singular to remark how very varied the ideas appear to have been on this important point, the colors ranging from a deep reddish brown color to an almost sickly white. ' Mount Zeehan, Tasmania,' is the heaviest priced picture in the exhibition, and is in water. The mountain rises hold and distinct into the sky with rugged ranges near it, among the valleys of which the mists lie thick and heavy, but are apparently about to rise, judging from the one strip of vapor whioh

crosses the mountain. The whole pioture is effective, but in the foreground there appears to be a want of detail. ' Winter, Richmond,' from the same source, shows a lot of faithful work. The snow lies thick upon the ground, and springing from it are the leafless trees; the only animate objeots in view over the white expanse being an old woman and dog. The sky is of a peculiar tint, but no doubt true to the oharaoter of the scene. ' Putney Bridge' is another very pretty little water color, nicely painted by Mr Smith, who is hardly the amateur that many of the other exhibitors are, as may be distinctly traced in his piotures. (To be continued.)