AUCKLAND SOCIETY OF ARTS EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7002, 26 April 1884, Page 6

AUCKLAND SOCIETY OF ARTS EXHIBITION.

fHB doors wero open yesterday from noon Sll-five o'clock, and from seven until ten Volock in the evening. The attendance was good throughout the afternoon, but the rooms were crowded during the evening. The interest in the exhibits Beamed greater than formerly. The; pictures in oil that command immediate attention are those of Mrs. McCosh Clark (6), Mr. T. L. Drammond (7), Mr. C. Blomfield (14), Mrs., Albin Martin (8), Mrs. A. Clark (3). Mr. T. Ball (5), Mr. J"; G. Trevithick (2), Mrs. Buroher (3), Mr. Kenneth Watkins (1). These are all; local artists, and their works may be.regarded as occupying the foremost rank as examples of oar local school of art "In the Gloaming" appears to us to be the best-of Mrs. Clark's, but each picture by this? lady has its own particular merit. In the management of light Mrs. Clafk appears to have a special talent. The number of works in her name present the gre«test.variety of scene and treatment. Mr. Drnmmond's pictures present a marked improvement upon his exhibits of previous years. The picture "Near Karangahake "• has very fine water effect: it is full of artistic 'suggestion, and as a.composition is remarkably good. It is well finished, and has many features of . particular merit. •, Mr. Albin Martin's style is so well known that it is scarcely necessary to describe it. His pictures are full of his peculiar manner. His felicitous-touch is visible in all his work. The exhibits of Mrs. A. Clark are very good, seeing that she is a comparatively recent exhibitor. Mr. T. Ball's pictures are remarkable for good work. Mr. Trevithiok's sea pieces are recognisable at once. They are carefully painted, and present to view many excellencies of manner and treatment. There are-several names which we do not remember to have exhibited before. One of the principal is Miss Russell, who not only paints well, but affords promise of very high excellence indeed in the future. Mrs. T. Morrin exhibits a portrait of the celebrated racehorse " Musket." It is an excellent likeness, although there are one or two points out of drawing. As a work by a new exhibitor, it is very good. The portrait of " Hector," a mastiff, by K. Buroher, is a really good example of animal painting. Mis 3 Outhwaite has two good pictures, "He Ara Awhiowhio—Kawau," and the "Manuka Trees in the Domain." Miss Bleazard's " Sunrise on St. Peter's, Wangarea;" Miss K. Ridings' "Near Wairoa; '* Mr. S. R. Keesing's " Study in Still Life ;" Miss A. Baker's " Sunset." all are good. Mr. J. M, Gamble has two piotures, "Moonlight" and a portrait, both very well painted. Miss Kate Reynolds has a picture, "Snowden, North Wales," whioh is very creditable in respect' to executive treatment. Mr. Kennett Watkln'spicture, "The Giants of the Forest," deserves special attention, for it is really a successful attempt to_ give expression of the strength of the kauri tree in ite native Jiaiitat The canvas is filled with the immense trunks, and this mode of presentation implies thajj; the effect of the work is to be discovered "in the examination of details. We have no doubt that: Mr. Watkin has been intent wholly upon the effort to produce the character of the kauri forest." It should always be remembered, to the credit of this artist, that ho invariably delects his scene from those places which are characteristic of New Zealand. There is a patriotic sentiment in thiß apparent attachment to scenes of special interest. He has succeeded in giving an expression of massive grandeur to these great inhabitants of the New Zealand woods. The_ treatment in this picture deserves special notice, because the artist has produced effects whioh the=ordinary observer does not perceive. Their truth is implied in the manifest earnestness of the study whioh has reprov duced them. Mr. Blomfield comes next as a professional artist, who is perhaps the most prolific producer in this as well as past years. He has two pictures, " Head of Lake Wakatipu," early morning, from Pigeon Island, and the same scene taken in the "afternoon." We had been accustomed to have from him glimpses of forest and river scenery, in which the New Zealand flora was most conspicuous. His power of production has given him the reputation, of " painting too muoh," that is to say, painting for the market rather than for art. But artists like other professional people must not keep out of view the ultimate consideration of all work as suoh. There is, however, no doubt of his talent. Some of these "bush scenes" are replete with good work. In the two pictures we have under notice he goes in for snow peaks and reflected light. That he has i reproduced the effects" he saw very faithfully is manifest in the pictures themselves; The foreground of driftwood is hot"very' felicitously'put -in.' But there is a thorough appreciation shown of the scenery represented. -Mr. Blomfield may claim without denial great; merit as an artist. Of the colonial painters (outside Auckland) in "oil, Mr. J. .Gibb's piotures are very striking.' The "most "remarkable of- them are Beacoast views. . The treatment *is of a very high' ordex of ; merit. . They are replete, with artistic suggestsveness. He paints the "■ wash" of the sea shore with great fidelity. and nice appreciation of the resources of such >scenes. He;is very affluent of effeot in details. He is followed in respeot of merit by Mr. E. W. Payton, who seleots quiet/streamlet nooks surrounded by wood as thesubjects most congenial to his style. These are very fine pictures, and the studyof.Shem will repay the' time so engaged. Mr. H. I>. Moultray exhibits several pic-tures-of; a character ' new to 'colonial art;: They present those old streets and corners in cities suoh as Edinburgh, where a historic, interest attaches, to the focus in Quo. Mr. J. D. Moultray has several good pictures in another class, the best of which is " The , Children" of the Mist," representing- two * alarmed red deer in the early morn gazing from a rocky eminence. Mr. Pownall has three pictures which deserve attention. This artist ! has been unfortunate in the transmission of' his' pictures,'but they 'are very good.

Among the oil paintings in the Society of I- Arts Exhibition are two .portraits of Wanganui celebrities, painted by an old Auckland resident, Mrs. Bullock. One is of Mr. Carson, brother to the k artist and mayor of Wanganui, and the other' Mr. Pownall,'the artist. Both are excellent likenesses ; and, considering Mrs. Bullook 'has only recently taken to art as a study, the execution is wonderfully good. The artist has the power (not a common one) of catching the' expression of the human face. The method is good. The painting of the flesh especially is soft and transparent, and the texture good.' There ia a, large field for a good portrait painter in New Zealand, and we wish ; Mrs. Bullock every success in her new sphere." 7"

Of the water colours, the exhibits of Mr. John Gully are the finest. They are good examples of tone which ia deep yet fall of colour, arid, variety; The " West Coast Road " is a splendid picture. His Excellency the Governor has a.picture entitled. "A Sketch in Dusky Sound." It presents executive 'skill, but a knowledge of the place represented is necessary'to appreciate it. The colour Is different from the.complexion of our"New; Zealand scenery. 'It reflects creditably on His Excellency's taste and skill as an artist. There are two pictures by, Mr. E. W. Chapman— *' Lake ■ Waihora,"and "Lake Bawea." The' treatment is rather delicate ; but they are excellent pictures. They, seem to follow, the manner of Barraud. They-have many points of excel-lence...--There is thorough appreciation of the resources of the scene represented. They deserve'attention as examples of a very fine manner;' Mr. -J. C. Riobmond (formerly Native Minister) has three good pictures in the exhibition. They display conscientious work. Speaking of careful work, we commend to notice particularly a picture ("View in Lower Remuera ") by Miss E. M. Cheeseman. -Mr. Alfred Sharpe has a "Grey Day Off Tiri," showing the unfortunate s.s. Triumph upon the beach. It does not represent the best efforts of this' artist, but it is a good picture. . There is a very fine" pioture by\G. 'N;' Sturtev»nt, " Point Chevalier." It is one of the best we have seen by this artist. Mi™ Home has a BerieaiOf excellent drawings in thie department.- ' It is not necessary to express' again any estimate of her ioilnstry ;as a painter. Her success is beyond question. Her work is in .the main very good.- There are several new names ;in this department. There are twoLwater colours ; byE. W. Chapman, "Entrance to Milford Sound," "Outside Milford Sound." They are very fine. . .There'are'several minor works, eaoh possessing merit/ Miss' P;. Mrs. Hetley, Miss M. Claytohi Mrs. Brodie, Miss Plumley;-There is a large number.of piotures in the name of T. "Ryan.-Many of them display merits amidst occasional crudeness/ ; ' "V ''"' '"".

; It would be impossible in the space at oar disposal to give a detailed description of all the exhibits. We can only take names and works io groups. We shall be able, to return to exhibits, mention of which for the present must be omitted.. The other/departments are also interesting, even essential, as subsidiary, to the objects of such an exhibition. We can only refer to them in a-general way. The catalogue contains 115 oil colours, 53 water colours, and a very large number of photographs. Most of the exhibits possess a high. order. of merit. Miss Stuart exhibits some beautiful examples "finished in water colours." Messrs'. R. H. Bartlett, H. Clayj ton, and G. Gregory are exhibitors in this department. Mr. Josiah Martin and Miss J. J. Cheeseman exhibit fine examples, i finished in monochrome. Mrs. Newby, Mrs. Carnegy, Misses Kemplay, Macdonald, and Mr. Brooks, exhibit excellent specimens of " Christoleum paintings." The exhibition of placquets and terra-cotta ware is large in respeot to number, and particularly good as regards individual merit. In this department, Misß Bleazard, Miss Horne, Mesdames Bleazard, Fenton, A. Fenton, Brush, E. a Harris, Webb, M.. E. Clayton, Tye, Russell, Keesing, 'Warner, Chambers, Reynolds, Morrin, Carnegy, Ireland, Gamble, Dennis. The needlework does not appear in each abundance. In drawings and monoohrome, the names of Mrs. Halcombe, Misses Tyo, A. M. Vaile, Corbett, Onthwaite, and Mrs. Carnegy, Messrs. R. J. Debney, J. B. Moultrey, and the Rev. T. . S.purgeon, •. are conspicuous. Under the- head "miscellaneous there are illuminations jby- -Mrj ..Gulliver,, .worked mirror frames by Mrs. Longdos-, studies in "hair painting" by-Mrs. Breton ; cards by Miss Ridings,\ Miss A. Warner, Miss V. Ansley; ball programmes by Mr. R. B. Pownall; hand painted bannerets, braokets, painted on white silk by Mra. H. J. Burt; ornamental easels by J. R. D« Courcey, lithographs by A. G. Willis (Wanganui). The entries for competition are full of promise. Being the work of pupils, they embrace every degree of merit. Shaded from the antique: There are 17 entries from the Auoklaud School of Art; 1 from the Grammar School. Shaded from the round (ornament):. There are 10 entries. Outline drawing from ;the flat: 8. entries. Outline drawing by. pupils under, 16. years of age:> 27 entries.- The same may be.said of the prize drawings for public schools. Shaded drawings from. the round : 13 entries' _(M rs. Clayton's prize, £5)., Outline drawings from the flat; 37, entries; As we have already given the names of the prize-winners, the names need not be repeated. .-, ' The loan collection includes Mr. Mackelvie's presents to the city of Auckland— by Armitage, R.A., S. Webb, Braun, Putiani, four- fine pictures lent by Mr, Wyman, one being by Riviere, R.A., four good pictures lent by Mr. G. B. Owen, four by Mr. J. Way mouth,,four by Mr. T. Jenkins, two by Mr. Kirkwood, one by Mrs. Gordon, one by Mrs. fl. Somervell, two by Mr. T. Earle and four by Mr. Lushington. We cannot speak too highly of the arrangement of - , the exhibition. It reflects the greatest credit upon Mr. Josiah.Martin, Secretary, who has had the burthen of most of the preliminary work. The sooiety and the public are much indebted to him, and to Mr, Holland, also, for the excellent manner in which the exhibits are displayed.