News of the Day. NELSON EXHIBITION.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XXV, Issue 29, 8 March 1866, Page 2

News of the Day. NELSON EXHIBITION.

Art collections, even on so limited a scale as that which Nelson has at present brought together, are especially interesting, and must always be productive of good 5 for in addition to the language which they speak to us, and the feelings of pleasure which we experience whilst contemplating them, they may be looked on as the milestones which mark our onward progress. We ourselves are ouly at the commencement of the journey; perhaps but few amongst us have made painting or sculpture, or any of the Fine Arts their study ; nor is this to be expected in a young and half-settled colony, where most of us have the unbending realities of life to deal with, and sterner work to achieve. But still, an appreciation of the Fine Arts — we use the term in contra-distinction to those termed useful, is shewn by the various works, which are found in the possession of our fellow citizens, and which the present Exhibition has drawn together. The hidden taste which is thus discovered — the perception of beauty which is thus evinced, may, we hope, be looked on as the seed which in time to come will bear fruit, and find expression from the pencils of masters from amongst ourselves.

For so young and so small a settlement as Nelson, the collection of oil and water colour paintings exhibited is very creditable, nor do we think that any province in New Zealand could have brought together one which would excel it. Some paintings perhaps might have been left out, but there are few whose loss would not have been felt. To criticise these, when lent with so good an object, is not our province, and their presence is most amply atoned for by the large number of valuable works which are exhibited. We shall say a word respecting those which appear most worthy of notice. The most excellent of all the oil paintings is, without doubt, A Portrait, by Copley, who rauks second only to Benjamin West amongst American painters, and well known to all as the father of Lord Lyndhurst. Self-taught as a painter, he removed to England on his works (amongst which was the portrait we speak of), receiving praise in that country. His success was brilliant, and he was at last admitted as a Royal Academician on tho production of the Death of Chatham, a picture representing the Earl's death in the House of Lords ; this picture was considered his chef d' eeuvre t and his wonderful talents were never displayed to greater advantage than by it. His powers in portrait painting were very great ; we have only to glance at the admirable one exhibited in Nelson to be assured of this. It is that of a lady, with her arms resting on a table. The face is most exquisitely brought out— the expression being life-like. The light and shade is managed to perfection, and if j any fault can be found in this portion of the picture, it is the want of colour, which is somewhat apparent, but which is probably the result of the action of time, the picture being one hundred years old. Although the face is most admirably depicted, the reflection of the arm in the polished table, and the folds of the dress on the arm, perhaps excel it, and stamp the picture as the work of a great master. Fortunately this painting has secured a good light, but, being such a rare one, it might have been hung in a little lower position. It

cannot fail to strike the visitor on his entering the lower room, as being more than a portrait — it is a perfect picture. It is exhibited by Dr. Greenwood, and the is, we believe, a family one. In tho same room, and almost close to it, is another oil painting, called Taking Coffee, representing the head and shoulders of an Eastern coffee-drinker; the expression of the face aud the colouring are good ; it is a copy from an original painting, and was the work of a youthful artist, who, had ho lived longer, would have ranked high as a painter. Another, and still more excellent painting by the same hand, hangs near it. The subject is Murillo's Flower Girl. The face is very beautifully rendered, especially the eyes, and the colouring has depth and warmth. We are given to understand that the young painter who has loft so many indications of a true genius for painting, was a brother of Mrs. Douglas, who is the exhibitor of these pictures. But perhaps his powers arc better shown by a half-completed figure of a girl, which hangs in the upper room, and which appears to be an original design. The beauty of the head, of tho features, and tho hair, though none have actually received the finishing touches, is apparent to all ; and the boldness of the pencil which has sketched the lower portion of the figure, which is uncoloured, as much as anything else shows the artist's talents. Mrs. Douglas also exhibits a Portrait of Sir Joseph Banks, which is a fine painting, and we fancy by the same artist. On the same wall are hung several copies of Dutch masters, which show considerable talent in the colouring.

We next come to a painting which, unfortunately, is placed in so bad a light that its qualities cannot be readily discerned. It is called The Last Interview, and represents the parting of a wife from her husband, on the day of his execution. The tearful, upturned eyes of the victim, are very beautifully rendered, and the whole face seems overladen with the expression of grief; the features, however, especially the mouth, appear too feminine. The woman is kneeling, -with her face buried in her husband's knees, but there appears some fault in the neck and shoulders j the neck has not" a graceful curve, and is too long and angular, and the figure appears somewhat out of proportion with that of the man. The picture is, notwithstanding, one of the most afctractire in the collection. There are many pictures occupying prominent and conspicuous places, which might well give way to a really good painting, which at present is placed in a dismal corner where no one can observe it.

Next comes a very beautifullandscape, Reapers on Loch Mive, by Williams. It would not be necessary to state that it was an " Art Union Prize," to draw attention to it. The colouring is very beautiful, and the fleeting shadows of an autumn day are given to perfection. The water, and the headlands dipping into it, are very excellent, and the peaks of the distant mountains, lost in heavy clouds, cannot fail to excite admiration. Lady Jane Q-rey, is a large-sized painting, the colouring of which is the principal attraction. Some of the figures are well drawn, but the faces are void of expression and appear meaningless. The room contains several other oil paintings of merit, but we must pass them over to notice the water colour paintings.

Under this head is placed a most beautiful picture of a child, with a dove in his hand ; it is called Mg Pet. We believe, however, that it is a crayon drawing, and not a water-colour. It is a most exquisite picture, the light falling on the golden hair and forehead of the child is perfect, and the whole face worthy of admiration. Next we must notice the works of Mr. Gully. These are of particular interest to all in Nelson ; for the pictures of this admirable artist took the highest place among the productions of New Zealand painters in the New Zealand Exhibition. Mr. Gully's gtyle, from its boldness and apparent want of effort, is one that will go on improving with every fresh picture that he undertakes. His works give us the impression that he is an exceedingly rapid painter ; they are not worked up in minute detail, but their effect is striking and very fine. To use the words of a great painter, " thoy are intended to be looked at, not smelt." To sco them to perfection, a distance of perhaps four times the breadth of the picture is required. We may first mention his View in the Wairau Gorge. This is an extremely successful painting ; the cascade, which is descending the mountain side, has a beautiful effect. Blind Bay from the Dun Mountain is perhaps one of the best of this artist's paintings. The sweep of the sandy beach at the head of the bay, the Moutere cliffs in the' distance, with the admirable colouring of the foreground, make 3it noticeable at once. There is another picture, however, which may be said to equal it, A View near Tarndale, taken amongst the snowy ranges, at the end of last December. The neutral tints in this picture are very beautiful, and nothing can be more effective than the snowy summits of the mountainous amphitheatre. This picture hangs between the two doors of the lower room. The Okarita Lagoon, is from a sketch by Mr. James Rochfort, and Mr. Gully has succeeded in making it a most effective picture. The wooded table land on the West Coast is finely painted, and Mount Cook, rising in towering majesty to a height of nearly 14,000 feet, is exquisitely painted. The beauty of this painting cannot be seen unless viewed from the opposite side of the room. If looked into close, the trees on the margin of the lake appear painted in too brilliant colours, Mount Cook and the distant ranges appear too near, and the beauties of the sky are lost. If the spectator places himself on the opposite side of the table, every part of the picture appears good. There are several views of the Kaikoras, painted by Mr. Gully, exhibited by various persons. TapianuJca at Sunrise, is one of the boldest of the artist's efforts, and the rich glowing tints on the mountain are cleverly managed, and in fine contrast with the dark shadows of early dawn in the valley. The view is taken from the bank above Blarich, in the Awatere. Another view of the same mountain, taken higher up the valley of the Awatere, from what is known as the " Shearing Ground," is styled the Peaks of the Kaikoras at Sunset. The distant peaks of Tapianuka, Mount Gladstone, and Mount Alarm, from which the last rays of the setting sun have just departed, are exquisitely painted, and remind one of Byron's fine description of an Italian sunset —

A paler shadow strews Its mantle o'er the mountains ; parting day Dies like the dolphin, whom each pang imbues With a new colour as it gasps away, The last still loveliest, till — 'tis gone — and all is grey.

We next come to the paintings belonging to the Provincial Government, executed by Mr. Gully. Mount Rochfort, Coalbrook Bale, and Cape Foulwind, all three are excellent landscape paintings. OffSokitika, is in duplicate — we prefer the one on the smaller scale, which is hung upstairs. The colouring of the water is more natural, and its transparency is better represented than in the larger picture hung in the lower room. Tho picture gives a fine \iew, as seen from a distance, of the West Coast, with the snowy ranges in the back-ground, while the steamer in the foreground, and the floating wreck, imparts life to it. This picture was sketched by Mr. Gully from the deck of the Walliby, when he visited the West Coast in the early part of last year, in company with our late Superintendent, Mr. Robinson, in whose company he was also, when the boat, which was about to land them at the Buller, got capsized, and Mr. Robinson met his death.

The Gorge of the Waimangaroha is a fine painting by J. 0. Richmond, Esq., and exhibits the coal seams in Colebrook Dale, at the back of Mount Rochfort. This was painted for the New Zealand Exhibition, from a Bketch made by Mr. Richmond, but that gentleman scarcely did himself justice, as tho picture wears rather an unfinished appearance. A Vieio off the Coast of England, is a picture of considerable merit, and was painted on his passage from England to New Zealand, by Mr. W. Curling Young, a gentleman well known aud esteemed by tho early settlers of Nelson, whose life was the firEt that was sacrificed in any of our rivers. The chief objects in the picture are a steamer and a ship passing each other at sea, and a small lugger apparently trying to reach one or other of the vessels. The picture is full of life, the vessels are drawn with great spirit, and the sea is exceedingly well painted. Hod Mr. Young lived, he would certainly have attained eminence in an art to which he was passionately attached. A Scene in Earewood Forest, by Sutcliffe, is a very pretty

and well-painted piece of English woodland scenery. A Mill, painted by a boy at Nelson College, is sufficiently good to promise, if the young artist will but persevere, that he will become a good painter. There aro several other paintings by local artists, some of which we ought to mention, but to do so would too much extend our notice, which is only meant to call attention to the Exhibition, and urge persons to inspect it. Before leaving this branch of the Exhibition, we mu9t, however, speak of two pictures we had nearly overlooked. One is a Miniature of the Pope, painted, we believe, on ivory, a perfect gem ; and the other, a Portrait of Sir David Wilkie, drawn by himself, in pencil, when a lad of about ten years of age, and presented by him at the time to a little schoolfellow, tho late Captain Frazer, of Nelson.

Araong3fc the engravings and photographs exliibited are several works of a high order, but we cannot notice them in detail. However familiar we may be with Joshua commanding tlie Sun to Stand Still, and the Departure of the Israelites out of Egypt, yet these fine subjects of Martin's always command attention ; and in Hogarth's Marriage-a-la-Mode (the original print*), there is a never-ending moral to be learnt. Amongst the engravings are some which are not so generally known, and in particular, the one of Wesley Preaching. The scene is a wild valley in Wales, and the preacher is standing in a natural pulpit of rock. The picture from which this was engraved must have been a very fine one, but it is hung too high for us too see the painter's name. The Death ofDentatus is a beautiful specimen of wood engraving, but is hung in a position where unfortunately it cannot be seen. This picture was one of Haydn's greatest works, and was engraved nearly forty years ago by his pupil, Harvey. To persons who know anything of wood engraving, and the difficulty of printing from woodcuts, this picture is a perfect study. It is the largest wood engraving of the character ever executed, and it took a clever printer an entire year to get it ready to' take impressions from it, of which 100 copies only were ever printed off. The engraver has followed the artist with ■wonderful fidelity, and the expression of all the figures, as well as the whole details of the picture, are splendidly reproduced. All thia, liowevej^ is lost on the spectator, as the engraving is hung high, and on the dark side of an upstairs room, while pictures of no value occupy favourable positions. There are two small but very good imitations of oil paintings, which arc, we presume, coloured photographs — the Aureole Crown, and Dante and Beatrice. The former one, the original, was amongst the magnificent collection at the London Exhibition of 1862, and attracted more attention than perhaps any other picture. The lovely face and tournure of the limbs, and the light of the Aureole Crown in the limpid and transparent water of the river, are magnificently given. Amongst photographs, the best is that of Raglan Castle, Monmouthshire.^ It is taken in three parts, but the joinings are so skilfully managed, that it is not' easy to detect them. The reflection of the castlewalls, with its clothing of ivy, on the moat, comes out with great success. A photograph, of Mr. Fletcher's, of the City of Nelson, is a very excellent one. It is sharp and clear, and is one of the best specimens of the art we have Been in New Zealand. Whilst speaking of this gentleman's productions, we must mention the admirable set of stereoscopic views, many taken in this province, which are to be seen up-stairs. We have left ourselves no space to speak of the other articles exhibited, many of which are worthy of inspection, but, if we can find time, we shall do so on an early occasion. 1

The following extract from the "Jurors' Report and Awards " of the New Zealand Exhibition, will be interesting. We have only space to extract so much of the notice of the Fine Arts, as relates to the exhibits from Nelson :—: —

" Water-colours were decidedly in the greatest favour with New Zealand artists, and the north side of tho Court was hung with pictures, many of which would hare graced the walls of Water-Colour Exhibitions in England. Mr. John G-ully's beautiful pictures of the wild Alpine scenery on the West Coast of the Middle Island, were universally awarded the highest praise. His Mount Cook from the West Coast, with its finely-painted glaciers, forest, and water, was generally said to be the best water-colour in the Exhibition. His Mount Cook Range, Wairau Gorge, Peak of Mount CooTc > and Lake Arthur, Botoiti, were also pictures of great merit. Mr. Gully's name will be found amongst those of the silver medallists. " Lake Botoroa, was alarge and beautifnl oil paint* ing of a mountain lake, by Mr. James C. Richmond (lately Colonial Secretary), Nelson. It is a healthy sign when men who achieve distinction in public life, give their leisure to art, and no one who saw this fine, but hardly finished picture, could doubt that were Mr. Richmond to turn from the turmoil of political life and the cares of office to the more peaceful pursuit of painting, he* would win high honours. The deep still waters of the late, with just a slight cat's-paw ruffling in the centre, its lofty wooded banks, with the foliage of the trees, and the rugged hills in the distance, all lit up by the warm amber light of the setting sun, formed a most lovely bit of landscape, which Mr. Richmond painted most charmingly. This was quite one of the best oil paintings in the Exhibition, and well entitled Mr. Richmond to a silver medal. Nelson may well be proud that in Mr. Richmond's Lake Hotoroa, and Mr. G-ully's Mount Cook from the West Coast, she sent the best oil and best water-colour paintings, the work of Colonial artists, in the Exhibition, nor were they second in merit to any contributed from other countries. " Mr. F. Dillon Bell, Otago ; Major Coote, and Mr. E. Pharazyn, Wellington ; also very deservedly received bronze medals for their excellent sketches of New Zealand scenery ; as did Miss Greenwood, Nelson, for a sketch of the Collingwood Quartz Manges, that made us wish to see the pencil and the brush more often in use by the ladies of New Zealand." PLEASURE EXCURSION TO MOTUEKA. Pleasure trips have always had plenty of supporters in Nelson, but on no occasion have such large numbers left the town as on Monday last, when the Kennedy, which was laid on by her owners for a trip to Motueka, took on board upwards of 250 passengers. This smart little steamer cast off from the wharf at ten, a.m., and with a light head wind but smooth sea, succeeded in getting moored to the Motueka jetty by noon. The rain had, however, commenced to fall soon after her departure, but the ill-effect of this was in a great measure warded off by the judicious use of awnings, and tho passengers landed in Motueka none the worse for the voyage. The principal attraction was to have been a cricket match between eleven of Nelson and eleven of Motueka. The Nelson men had left on the previous day, some by a sailing vessel and othersoverland, and the match had been commenced at about ten o'clock. The Motueka side, on the arrival of the Kennedy, had all their wickets down for forty-six runs, so tho excursionists only had the opportunity of seeing the Nelson side in — no great pleasure after all, during the rain that was Btill descending. Nelson was defeated again, having scored three runs less than their opponents. The match was allowed to be decided by the first innings. Many of the excursionists remained on board the steamer, whilst others, regardless of rain and wind, set out manfully on walks in the neigbourhood. Others found rest in the hotels, and in the houses of their friends. Towards three o'clock the weather cleared up, the clouds broke, and the warm sun brightened the landscape ; from this time to the period of departure every one thoroughly enjoyed themselves. About ten , p.m., the Kennedy's head was again turned towards Nelson, and under a bright moon she steamed towards home. The enjoyment of the trip certainly did not end when the return voyage commenced, for what is pleasanter than a sea trip at night, with a smooth sea, and agreeable companions P It ended, however, before the voyage did; a heavy rolling swell, which came in from 'seawards, and the springing up of a chilly night- wind, made all glad to land again, which they were able to do at midnight. An accident occurred at Motueka, which was caused by : the carelessness of an individual named Leech, who,

in attempting to step from (bo vessel to the shore fell overboard ; he managed however to scramble on shore uninjured. On the rojage to Motuelca, something in the shape of music was to be heard on board, the result of a Tiolin and flute ; luckily in the evening, the proverbial proclivities of fiddlers had put a stop to this, and the passengers had undisturbed peace towards the end of their journey. The excursion was in every way successful, and wo hope wo shall shortly hear of another one of a similar nature having been set on foot. MEDALS OP NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION. Tho Report of tho Jurors of the New Zealand Exhibition has just been published, and forms a bulky volumo of between 500 and 600 pagca. It contains a pood deal of useful information of various kinds, to which we shall hereafter refer. At present wo shall only notice the awards of the jurors, which now for the first time are published in a complete form, and the apparent injustice which appeared to havo been done to some of the more meritorious exhibitors, in the list of awards formerly published, is now remedied. For what reason we cannot tell, but the names of the exhibitors to whom silver medals were awarded, have been withheld until now, and it therefore appeared that thny had been overlooked altogether. There were, we find, one gold and sovenf.y-flve silver medals awarded — the gold medal being given to A. Eccles, Esq., as being the " anthor of the plan of tho Exhibition, and the chief instrument of its success." Of the silver medals, one was awarded to each of the Vice-Presi-dents, which included the Superintendents of all the Srovinces of New Zealand, and the members of the liniatry of the day. Several were bestowed on the Commissioners, and on gentlemen, both in the colony and elsewhere, who exerted themselves on behalf of the Exhibition j and comparatively tevr were awarded to exhibitors, the services of whom were chiefly recognized by an award of medals in bronze, and by honorary certificates. We give a list of the silver medals bestowed on gentlemen in Nelson 5— Blackrtt, J. — For bold design and successful erection of several Bridges. Gully, John— For Water-Colour Drawings of New Zealand Alpine scenery. Monbo, Db.— For interesting "Essay on the Botany of New Zealand." Richmond, J. C. — For Oil Fainting of Lake Eotoroa. EoBiNBOJf, J. P., late Superintendent — Vice-Presi-dent. Wedlet, J. — Successful manufacture of Tweeds from New Zealand wool.