AUCKLAND SOCIETY OF ARTS' EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7922, 14 April 1887, Page 5

AUCKLAND SOCIETY OF ARTS' EXHIBITION.

——<&. The Auckland Society of Arts Exhibition, 1887, will be opened this evening at eight o'clock, with a members' conversazione, to which only members and their friends will be admitted. As Mr. J. M. Clark, the president of the society, is away at TeAroha, Mr. Maakeohnie, who is vice-president and chairman of committee, will deliver the inaugural address. Daring the evening Impey's Band will perform a number of choice musical selections, and a special composition by Mr. Whitehorne will also be given. The committee have been compelled to reject about 100 pictures, owing to want of wall space, and it was deemed inadvisable to "sky"; them. As already stated, the conversazione will take place to-night at 8, doors opening at 7.30, and the public opening will take place to-morrow (Friday), at noon. With regard to the reference to the Exhibition catalogue in yesterday's issue, there was some inaccuracy. The ornamental cover was designed and exeouted by the Herald artists, but the Illustrations in the catalogue, of the pictures, have been executed by the artists themselves and their nominees in ink or chalk. Preliminary Notice. In these days of commercial depression— valde dejlindum, as the not reverend, but revered Dr. John Brown, most genial of art critics, would have said—it is matter for highest satisfaction that the fine arts do by.no means appear to have. sympathised with the general dulness—that* even in the depth of great, but as we may devoutly hope, temporary gloom, they at the present hour give proof of possessing quite wondrous vitality. Here wo have our present year's Exhibition (which is to be opened this evening), and at the very first glance of the work presented we cannot but see that this is entirely beyond anything in the way of advancement in art that has been displayed in this part of our island since first the pakeha made his footing sure in New Zealand. Hitherto, in the dealings of the Press with these matters, there has been too much of the complacently-approbative style :this or the other very creditable, considering the surroundings—very promising in a general way—very good, in short, for the early attempts of a new country, and so forth, but applause always apologetic ; encouragingly discouraging to those who fondly hoped for a time when the capabilities— grand—of our islands, for art, would be in their proper worth realised. But there is no need to dwell too long now upon the first smugglings of art on this side of the equator. Here is a really important collection of pictures, of a general status of excellence that is, we may well say, extraordinary ; indeed, looking back a short way, almost astounding. It is clear we are away altogether from all requirement of indulgent criticism. We have now before us work that can be fairly estimated, even by the European standard, and in whatever direction wo look upon what is here given to our inspection we shall fiud that there is sterling advancement, and real evidenoe of purposelike earnestness on tho part of those who have so honorably contributed to the present Exhibition. In a merely introductory notice it is needless to attempt more than the briefest mention of a few of the more salient features, and we hope to be acquitted of any intention of invidious selecting of works for first notice. But we may venture to specify as likely to attract attention, Mr. Gouldsmith's landscape of "Glen Dhu," showing fine, very fine, perception of the exquisite effects of the fading light upon hill and lake, so seldom done so well; also, his fine, fresh "View of Teremakau;" Miss Sperrey's "Portrait," remarkable as quite—to use Mr. Ruskin's words—"Amazon's work," indeed ; Mr. Gear's capital head of " Yorick ;" Mr. Atkinson's touching "Evicted," and luminous "Sunshine;" Mr. Steele's highly elaborated panel, "Did she say so?" Two excellent works by Mrs. Findlay will also attract attention. In watercolour and black and white will be found excellent examples by Mr. Watkins (whose " Home of the Cormorant " is one of the most serious pictures in the whole exhibition) and Messrs. Frank Wright, Dickson, Drummond, and others. We shall shortly attempt a more extended notice of thoße works which appear to require special mention. We may remark that the Society may well congratulate themselves on having the opportunity of such an excellent place for the display of their collection. The light in the gallery is very good indeed, and the paintings show to every advantage. Those people, of course, who come seriously to examine the pictures, will hardly look beyond them, and there is, at all events, no architecture to distract the visitor's attention. It may be added, that the room, having been intended for a picture gallery, appears to have been left in a most incomplete state. A dado runs along each wall, reaching to about five feet from the floor, so as to cut across the line just at the most important position, and the walls above are left in all the ugliness of new plaster. The Society has consequently been put to the trouble and expense of erecting a lofty screen of timber lining, which, being stained to a warm brown tint, affords an effective background to the picture frames. But the hideous white wall above mars the effect very greatly. It is to bo hoped that these faults will be considered, and the chamber properly finished before the Mackelvie pictures are removed from their present position.