AUCKLAND SOCIETY OF ARTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8264, 24 May 1890, Page 3

AUCKLAND SOCIETY OF ARTS.

There wag a crowded attendance at the Exhibition of the Society of Arts last evening. The Orchestral Union were holding their usual weekly practice, which added to the attractions of the scene. They played Shubert's ballet music, " Chacune et Rigaudon," an old fashioned French dauce T arranged by Gaevert, the great Belgian master, also a part of Mendelssohn's Scotch symphony, and an overture by Lieutner, called the " Pest Overture," a bright and vivacious • composition. Subsequently they played the ballet music of " Sylvia," by Deliebes, which contains a bright pizzicato movement, which always scores a sucoess when played. The selections were admirably played, and gave great satisfaction to the visitors to the Exhibition. The Exhibition will re-open to-day at noon, in the evening Impey's Band will perform some choice selections of musie at intervals. Second Notice—Oils. Mr. E. W. Peyton is again amongst us, and exhibits a series of very pleasing pictures. We select "Mount Egmont, from Urenui," as seen under a sunset effect, as one of the most effective. The aerial perspective is well rendered, the distance and middle distance being shown under a haze, the Maori huts and dark foliage m the foreground, show a carefully studied and effective piece of work. The path leading through the fern in the foreground, and the subdued key in which the picture is painted, show a thorough knowledge of the principles of colouring on the part of the artist. " Cheltenham, North Shore," and " Narrow Meek, North Shore, are coast scenes, very characteristic of our harbour scenery. In the latter, the subdued colouring of the landscape pleases us very much, but in the former, the sunlight on the back is a little too orange in tone. The elm on the beach is very artistically indicated. "A Summer Afternoon," by Mr. F. Wright, shows a creek under a strong effect of sunlight, which is well rendered. The composition is good and well arranged. The bank of ferns on the right is treated with skill, and the whole picture is a good representation of New Zealand bush. Another oil by this artist is a landscape with cattle under a sunset effect. The sky is particularly well painted, is soft and luminous, and the subdued colouring true to nature. The distance is well indicated without being laboured, and the dark mass of trees on the right with the cattle in the foreground complete an excellent picture. „ . , Mr. Chas. Blomfield, one of the Society's most energetic members, contributes about the full number (10), which this year are none of them large. One of the best is a seene on the Wanganui, " Utapo," where the tender greys of the sky are nicely contrasted with the rich foreground tints. This picture, and " Waterfall at Pipiriki," " Moonlight on the Wanganui," and " Auawata, on the YVanganui," are the result of Mr. Blonrfield's recent trip to the Upper Wanganui river. The latter picture represents a port of the river some miles above Pipiriki, showing the rich growth of ferns and forest which clothes the precipitous banks of the river, and renders the scenery of the Upper Wanganui so charming. "Waterfall at Pipiriki," is a pretty effect of sparkling water, purple rock, and green foliage, so characteristic of the Upper Wanganui. " On the Nihotupu " will be recognised by many who have visited that locality, as true in the effect of sunshine coming down through the upper greenery and lighting up emerald moss and shining water. " Altrissi Canal, Venice (autumn)" is a scene on the canals of Venice, by Miss Bleazard, who has been a steady and excellent contributor to the various annual exhibitions. Her bright sunlight, and the warm colours of the south of Europe, are well introduced. In the foreground is a Venetian gondola laden with fruit, being propelled towards the spectator. The water is successfully treated, and the whole is a very typical representation of soenes to be met with on the Venetian canals. " Antwerp Cathedral" is another of this lady's pictures, and is a sketch of the city with the immense spire of the Cathedral in the centre of the painting. The effects of mist over the city, and aerial perspective are very successfully treated, but we think the Venetian scene will be pronounced Miss Bleazard's best work. ' These paintings are the outcome of the " artist's recent tour to Europe. Three oils were contributed by Mr. W. Wright, of which " On Shelley Beach," is his principal picture. There is here depicted a well-known scene near Auckland. The town of Auckland and large warehouses near the i wharf appear in the distance. In the foreground are over a dozen figures engaged in various occupations, children with their toy i boats, and a man launching a boat. The yacht lying near the boathouse is well drawn, but the one which is being launched iii not ; so well treated. The warehouses in the: distance appear to be out of plumb, while the hill in the distance over the wharf ' seems to have been brought unduly forward. Another of his oils is " Waiting," for which lie is accorded the Society's silver medal. It is a figure study illustrating the word " Waiting." The picture depicts a light porter leaning on his handcart in the vicinity of the Auckland railway station. The figure, although somewhat stiff, has been carefully studied, and the effect of sunshine has been well given, although the shadows are somewhat hard. It is a pity that more attention has not been paid to the drawing of the wheels, which are anything but round. One of the steadiest and most extensive contributors to the annual exhibitions is Mr. Thomas Ball. His exhibits this year are a great advance upon those previously shown. " A West Coast Cliff, Kerikeri," is a coast scene on the West Coast, showing a rocky headland. The sky is luminous, and well painted; and the water very well rendered, giving a capital idea of sunlight. The cliff on the right and the foreground are painted with a boldness which we have not hitherto seen in this artist's works. We are glad to see that he is piling on the paint, and using the palette knife. A great defect in colonial pictures, as a rule, is the thin manner in whioh they are painted. In "Gorge at Parihaha," the colouring of the cliffs and rocks is true to nature, but we should have liked to have seen a clearer colour in the water, which is rcther muddy. "Caswell Sound "and "Preservation Inlet," are of course Southern scenes, and contain some excellent work, but are not up to the execution of his West Coast scenes.

Mr. H. J, DeForrest is a new contributor, and shows in excellent painting in " Shakespear Bay, Queen Charlotte Sound." The sky is soft &ud well painted, and the distant hill and middle distance are well lit, while the dark bank on the right makes a very effective picture. The painting of the water in some parts is not up to the rest of the picture. Mount Cook from Lake Pukaki, is a Southern lake scene, with a range of snowclad mountains in the distance, an island in the lake, and a rocky foreground. The sky and distance are well rendered, but the foreground is a little bit hard, and has not the same quality as the distance. Three figure pieces are contributed by Mrs. R. G. Parkinson. One is a portrait of a wellknown face. The drawing of the face is good, and the colouring true of a sun-tanned face. We must congratulate Mrs. Parkinson on her effort. " A Life Study" is another exhibit by this lady. The" drawing and colouring of the figure is good, and the gardening tools, although clumsy, are fairly well rendered. "Study of a Boy" shows some very careful work. The colouring is good, especially in the legs and feet, but we think it just possible that the artist might have selected a more artistic background, as it was a piece of otherwise careful painting. SCHOOL ART COMPETITION. The result of the School Art competition is now known, and the list of successful candidates made up. It may be stated that the Society issued 2000 drawing copies, and of these 894 copies have been retained for competition, and of these 119 have passed the test for certificates. One has been marked " excellent," and one " good." The premier position is accorded to George Harold Bycroft, of Ngaruawahia School, and the other five of the first half-dozen are: Willie Norton, 15, Kaukapakapa School; Willie Logan, 14-4, Devonport Scliool; Kate Kingsford, 15, Devonport School Joshua Hutchinson, 15, Harrisville School; Nellie Edmiston, 15, Newton East School. It is expected that the first six will receive special recognition, in addition to the certificates, owing to the distinctive ability displayed. The following list shows the names of the pupils who have received certificates, and the schools which have competed : —

Pousonby School: William H. McKenzie, Hilda Adams, Ruth Jones, Alexander Wilson Senior, Amy L. Rhodes, Nesta Wynn Rees, Anna Schmidt, Claude E. Hemus, William D. Anderson, Fred. W. Wilson, Robert G. Ross, Lloyd Keals, Clara Bacon, Annie Gardner. Newton West: Ethel White, Herbert J. Webber: Bombay : Joseph Lowry. Te Awauiutu ; Dorothy Greuham. Wellesley - street : Thomas Moncur, Leonard Totman, Frank Stanwell, Norman Price, John Dickey, Wm. J. Porter, John Herbert Nicholls, Harry Rountree, G. J. Hannaford, Robert Witheford, Marie E. J. Cartmill, Fred Blointield, Arthur remain, Harriet Lampra, Frank Wiseman, Frede. rick Sargent, Harry Foster, Horatio J. Hayward. Newton East: Elinor E. Kissling, Fred S. Hobson, Florence Berry, Winifred L. Jones, Douglas Hay, C. G. Berry, E. S. Phipps, Sydney Smith, E. D. Rice, Arnold Hare. Mount Eden : A. A. Turner, A. M. Stichbury, H. E. Allen, Josephine Ray, Kate E. Kelly, Ada Williamson, Albert Williamson, Henry It. Potter, William Paterson, Florence B. Dunn, Emma Gillibrand, John V. D. Connell. Kawakawa: Thos. Dickson, Jas. Ken worthy, Annie Brewer. Ellerslie: Hannah McDonald, Fred Somerfield, Jno. M. Walker. Devonport: Ethel G. Peacocke, Gertrude Duder, Bessie Sutton, Willie Morrison, Thomas Baker, Herbert Burgess, May Bartley, Jessie McLean, Bessie LeSueur. Tainaki West : Jno. Millar, Robert Millar. Tararu (Thames) : Jno. Murdoch, Jho. G. Gibfa, Agues Wills, Arthur Wolff. Biding Ccoek;

Emily Warner, EUa Waroor. Eererfprd|tree« Lizzie Sheridan, Sheraon, Annie iwrew # tv>t>iVl roll ins. Henderson: Carolina wuson, Sel SmX John West, W. J. Hnoston. Ng»tay' Bra&hwaite, Hwry SsSSS^negjaft® lurhot Blanche LCito, Harry Ernest Sin W L cito, Harry Durrege, Ernest! MaSn a'ftrtxude Preston, Agnes Scott, ArthiuJ S D ' iKSna : Rachel Wkay, KobJrt Scherff. , - Thomas H. Gfllinan. Kauaeranga Girls E. Jotown. Kaukapakapa: Chatlea wlsl" Papatoeio« : John Gray. KfWrCaxnifb. Hamilton West: Thomas Jolly.