AUCKLAND SOCIETY OF ARTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7004, 29 April 1884, Page 5

AUCKLAND SOCIETY OF ARTS.

The exhibition of the Society of Arts was open yesterday in the Choral Hall, and was well attended. There was quite a throng oi visitors in the evening, notwithstanding the many counter attractions which competed with'it. Besides the interest in the pictures there was a promenade concert by ladies and gentlemen amateurs, which enlivened the time and made it pass pleasantly. The principal pictnres found- earnest critics; groups of visitors being gathered round them expressing their opinions very emphatically. There was but one opinion on all sides—namely, that the exhibition was a satisfactory one. Mrs. McCosh Clark's, Messrs. Drummond's, Gully's, Blomfield's, Gibb's, and Payton'B pictures commanded the chief interest. Mr. Drummond's picture, "Near Karangahake," is.one of the best local pictures that have ever been exhibited here. Of the minor exhibits, the coloured portraits by Miss H. Stuart; the really admirable paintings on terra cotta by Mr. S. R. Keesing, " 'heßoßeß,"morepartioularly,were much admired. In the department of terra cotta painting, painting on China, painting on satin and eilk, there are a great many exhibits of the highest merit. Mr. S. R. Keesing has unquestionably proved that he possesses admirable taste. In ornamental painting of various kinds he exhibits examples that would be worthy of any exhibition. Mrs. McCosh Clark in this department also sends some beautiful exhibits.

It was inevitable that in our first and second notices mentioned, some of the exhibits should have been omitted. Mrs. G. Parsons has a picture of great merit, representing an " Old Homestead " (Hashing Surrey), which is exceedingly truthful and very clever. She has also a fairly good picture, " Misty Morning at Hepburn, Victoria." Mr. James Macpherson's picture, " Within a Mile of Edinboro' Toon," is also good. .We do not mention it as an objection to these piotures, that the subjects are foreign. But artists should be reminded that in nn exhibition of New Zealand art, New Zealand scenery will have at least one point of advantage over scenes abroad. There is, of course, no rule in the matter, for if there were many excellent pictures would be excluded. Mr. W. J. Wild has a picture entitled "The Coming Storm." It has several good points, but the representation of the " chopping" sea is somewhat crude. He is a very young painter. We should notice especially a picture by Mr. S. Stuart, "Shelly Beach, Ponsonby," which is excellent. It shows & decided advance upon his work of the previous year. Mr. J. Gaut has a portrait of "Musket," but it is a much better picture than a likeness of the famous racer. Sis " Sunset on Lake Rotoiti" is an effective picture. His "Moonlight Head ol Lake Wakatipu," is an excellent picture. Mr. James Macpherson has a good picture representing "A Scotch Fishing Village." Mr. J. J. Howard exhibits "A Bush Scene" (Te Aroha), which is very good in tone, but the boulders under the waterfall are somewhat bald, and without character. In every other particular the picture is a good one. We have a word to say to those artists who reply to any stricture on account of inadequacy of character or expression, "Yes; but that was exactly the effect I saw, and I sought to oxpress it." But all art is Nature, plus the mind of the artist who interprets it. How varied are the interpretations that can be put on the same scen<this and .all other exhibits can attest 1 Mr. H. Leech sends two pictures, "North Shore from the Hospital" and the sun " Rising in Mist." The latter is peculiar in treatment. It has many good points. We are inclined to caution young artists againßt Turnererque effects. Such attempts are apt to beget mannerisms that will ultimately become injurious. The other picture affords fair promise of future merit. Mr. W. J. Browne's " Valley of the Dart," (Wakatipu), is a good picture. Mr. W. J. Percival paints a " Kauri Bush at Whangaroa," which is very good. Mr. R. Laishley has a " Group of Arums" (in vase), which is really an excellent picture of its class. In drawings Mr. E. A. Chapman's " Entrance to Milford Sound," and " Outside Milford Sound," and " Lake Wakatipu," are further examples of the Btyle of this artist. They are fairly good. Mrs. Geo. Parsons sends a picture to this department, " Hillside at Bright" (Victoria); Mr. J. Macpherson sends a picture, "St. Andrew's" (Scotland); Mr. G. J. Bowring has two local pictures, " Coast Scene near Sugar Works, Northcote," and "Tryphona Har bour" (Great Barrier). They are well paintad. Mr. M. S. Webb exhibits " One of the Thousand Isles of the River St Lawrence," which is fairly done. Mr. D. Martin's "View on the North Wairoa," Miss Wyke's "Mount Maunganui," Mrs. Brodie's " Interior of St. Mary's," Miss Plumley's " Centenarian," do not call for special mention. " New Zealand Wild Flowers," by Miss Wright; "Grass," by Mrs. Hetley; " Flowers," by Miss M. Clayton ; and " Flowers," by Mrs. Gordon, display great taste and carefnl detail. The Rev. J. Palmer sends a faithful picture of " The Narrows," at Hokianga, and Mr. G. Gregory " Early Morning, New-street, Ponsonby." Mrs. Burcher's pupils occupy a very considerable space in this year's exhibition. Mrs. T. Motrin's portrait of " Musket," already noticed, occupies a prominent position ; Mrs. Ireland has a very well executed " Winter Scene ;" Mrs. Chambers has a " Peacock " (from still life). This work is very clever. She sends also "Oak Leaves," "Butterflies," and other paintings. Miss Baker sends an oil painting of a large tree in Tonga; Miss Holland sends a very effective little picture, entitled " Moonlight Miss B. Baker sends a study of a "Horse's Head," which is cleverly done; Miss Katie Reynolds sends flower paintings; Miss Abbott sends " Three Dogs' Heads," which are', well drawn ; Miss Sinclair has various paintings—table top, and panel paintings; Miss E. AWbott sends a study of fruit in oils, table top. Ail" the above mentioned ladies display great taste, und their performances give the promise of futnre excellence. Miss Fanny Wright has a picture (89) "Fruit," which was painted nnder Mrs. Burcher's instruction. Miss A. M. Vaile has some very nice drawings in monochrome; Miss Tye has some excellent examples of this clasii of work. The. fiee hand drawings by the last named lady are very good. We have already mentioned the names of the other exhibitors in this department. The work is all very good. - Miss Bleazard exhibits some nice animal painting on shells. Miss Tye has a most tastofttl painting of native flowers on terra cotta. Miss W. L. Webb exhibits two drawings, " A Tiger's Head" and a " Bulldog's Head," which are fall of character. Of the minor.class of work, they are as good as anything in the exhibition. Miss R. V. Keesing has several well executed works in this class. Mrs. Orchard, Mis 3 E. L. Batger, Miss Fenton, Miss Brush send some very handsome and well painted plaquets. Miss Home has two good examples of this kind of work, representing lilies and poppies. Mies C. M. Home has some fine examples of decorative screen and panel work. The examples of embroidery, needle, and cloth work are not so numerous this year. But of -these there are specimens of the highest olass of merit. Mrs. Carnegy seems to be the most successful exhibitor. We cannot find the space that would be necessary to describe these elegant productions minutely. - Mrs. Carnegy's work struck us as exceptionally good. We may mention a few of the chief names connected with this department. Miss E. Williams, Miss Kate Reynolds, Miss G. Breton,' Mrs. Elmes, Mrs. Devore, Mrs. M. dtevenson, Mrs. KcKay, Mrs. D. Nathan and Mrs. E. Isaacs lend a great many very elegant things. We have not space to notice the drawings in the side rooms. We must reserve our notice of them for another issue. The exhibition will be open until the 2ad May inclusive. To-morrow evening the Art Union distribution will be held.