SOCIETY OF ARTS EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13191, 31 May 1906, Page 6

SOCIETY OF ARTS EXHIBITION.

' • FOURTH NOTICE Miss B. St. Clair Tisdall's animal studies are not so numerous this Tear as last, and I although she has made a. departure from depicting animals in repose to drawing them in action, she shows nothing in the way of horseflesh so good as " The Forge" of last year,. In One o"Clock in the Stable Yard" (126) there is a laudable attempt to draw horses on the move, but it is obvious that the artist has yet much to learn. The bay horse with his back to the spectator is exceptionally well modelled, and compensates for the drawing of the running gray horse in the centre of th»* picture. Miss Tisdall"? affection lor dogs, especially collies, is declared in her successful work—her best—" Laddie" (98). " A Portrait" (178) is another well-drawn picture of a collie. "Motherhood" (131) is a well-drawn study of a mare and foal. Mrs. Masters' animal studies are also limited to horses and dogs. " Linda" (78) is a well-drawn head of a bay [ horse ; and " Harness Pony " (82) is equally good. "Wave" (80) is a careful drawing of a. half-bred collie, which, as in the rest of. Mrs. Masters' work, is conspicuous for its strong handling and rich tone. Miss Moore, whose excellent black and white portraits were usually conspicuous features of past exhibitions, is represented by an honest piece of work' in the water-colour portrait of "Captain Clayton" (62). Her collection oi line drawings is, as last year, exceptionally good. They will be found in the room on the ground floor. The portrait (in oils) of " Mrs. Henry Morr&n" (87) is a*highly ere-' ; . Me v r ork. Mr. T. Ryan ins; .M'-'.isipai subject;* ;.ke 'wS&u&ting ...A'.s of " Ru-.pehvi " (51) and "Nganruhoe" (12). '1 he mountain peaks are well eno jj.ii drawn, but there i i ffluili to be desired in tie lore ground. RuapeLu is shewn v .pped with the ■ rosy dawn, but the f?om«what rtaiu tv<rdfiient of the water in the foreground and the boulders over winch it rattles is stiff and .'.either natural.nw artistic. Mr. Ryan has shown many times that he can do better. The name of the artist responsible for "A Summer Day, Kaitoke Bay, Great Barrier " (41), is not given in the catalogue,' but thework is unquestionably that of Mr. Ryan. The hand of Jacob is plainly visible, for here in the symmetrical arrangement of the tussocks in the sand—as though planted by a nurserymanthe same harshness is to be seen as spoils much of Mr. Ryan's otherwise satisfactory work in the mountains referred to. It is refreshing to turn to Mr. C. W. Foster's marine studies (in water-colours). "The Huia". (30) is thoroughly characteristic of the Manukau in feeling and treatment, not the Manukau • of a fair day, but 'in - the rain and the mist which so often linger among the highlands north or the Heads, the southern end of the Waitakcreis, " A Timber Stir-A-' 1 (50; is a sound piece of work. ) In "r-ponga" (59) -.Mr. poster has been

" more than a mere recorder' of facts. He imparts to his work an atmospheric subtlety which is most satisfying. "A Bad Investment" (4) is a skilful piece of work, showing a topsail schoonei thrown on her beam ends on 'he sand. Mr. Foster has done much for the Manuk'au, and has done it-well." '; • ' •.' Mr. W. F. Barraud's best work is I "From Posillipo'' (73), a typical Mediterranean study, bright, and full of colour, but not characteristic-, of Mr. Barraud, whose affection for the misty atmosphere of rivers was expressed in several instances at last year's show. Island Bay, Wellington"' (14), is a fresh piece of work, and "On the Dart" ? (63), and! on the Edge of Dartmoor" (233), and an "Essex Stream*' (229), are satisfactory transcriptions Vol nature. Mr. John Fitzgerald in The • Prophet" (146), a canvas with much good work upon it, shows signs of promise. ■'• Time and p3itien.ee will do much for this artist if he will utilise them. " The, Path by the River" (123) is a promising composition. " Rare Kare Bay (129) is Mr. Fitzgerald's best ■ work. He has very cleverly depicted the desolate appearance of the West Coast on a gray day, and-there is .merit in -this work than all his others put together. Mr. O. Blomfiekl contributes a good deuil of work in oil, as usual. It "is all of even-quality. "The Avenue, Cornwall Park" (209), is i essentially Blomfieldiain in the treatment- of the macrocarpa, the strong note of colour generally, and the careful attention to detail. "WaiUikerei Falls'' (175) is not so satisfactory; there is a "ropy" look about the water. "Piha" (163) is superior in every way, with its lively surf tumbling on the beach, and the well-drawn rocks. In "The Hoheno Peaks" (188) the light and shade are well balanced. Mr. M. Trenwith has but one work this year, in which there is but a suspicion of the stratified clouds and bands of yellow sky which he usually affects. " On the Hillside " (117) is ,i vigorous piece of oil painting, and certain!} excclls anything shown by Mr. Trenwith last year. It is entirely New Zealand in character and feeling, and is an honest and . successful at.Umnt *~ 41.. _~ — i:..-

. attempt to reproduce the scenery peculiar to the Auckland coast line. Mr. R. Pheny's water-colour drawing, "AFlaxmill" (15)," is a very meritorious piece of work, clean and free, we'll drawn, and fresh in tone. " Wignibre Bay " (20) is also a praiseworthy effort, i "An Impression of Shoal Bay" (16),* by Mr. H. Matthewman, is a broad piece of work which ; commands more than a passing glance. Breadth and impressionism do nob appeal to everybody, but those, who arc moved by such will view Mr. Matthewman's study with interest. The artist is represented by a typical.' f<n-cou*try study. "A . Lincolnshire Dyke" (23), with its well-drawn windmill, and among the miscellanies will be found a well-drawn (architectural) elevation for a proposed art gallery, also his work. Mr. F. P. Worlcy has not taken the trouble to make his colour glow evenly in "Mount Owen" (18), the . sketch paper showing through in flecks, bu* in Island Bay" (55) and " East Cape Island". (59) there is nothing to quarrel with: these are delightful little studies, and the same may be said of "Narrow Neck Beach" (76)." Mr. F. BrookeSmith contributes 'much work in waitercolours only. ■ "In Colac Bay (28) the action of the sea is . cleverly suggested. "Harvest Scene Near Invercargill" (46), and "Iwilight" (47) arc striking contrasts, the former with its well-drawn stocks 'of oats, and the latter expressing in a telling maiinei the sense of loneliness among the reedy swamps, where fresh water meets with the salt sea. Oyster Cutters (72) and Mr. Brooke-Smith's "Bush Scenery" (67) are also acceptable works. There was a.large gathering of members and others at the art exhibition yesterday, in spite of the rainy weather. The ladies of the society dispensed tea and refreshments, and Marriage's orchestra gave nmsical selections. The pictures sold up to date are: "A Bend in the River," bv Frank Wright, £7 7s; "Near Stoke, Nelson." by-J. H. Nicholson, £3 3s: "The Squall," F. Wright, £3; " Spring .Flowers." Winifred Westwood. £3 3s; a sketch by E. Fristrom, £3 ss; "Cornwall Park From the Avenue," C. Blomfield', £3 3s. Two caricatures by Mr. V. Hunt have also been sold, as already stated. ••' The committee have reason to believe that quite 200 -people were debarred attendance at the exhibition yesterday afternoon by the inclement state of the weather, and to "meet these and a general request, it has been decided that afternoon tea shall again be dispensed on Saturdav afternoon, at three o'clock. The attendance up to date, with the exception of last evening, has been almost fully equal' to last year, which was exceptional, and the popularity of the exhibition is evidently established. « Marriage's;orchestra will perform the following programme this evening: —March, " Baltimore: selection, "Martha;" gavotte, '.'ldeal;" .waltz, "Ainee;" selection. "Roberto Le Diable';" waltz, "Over the Waves;" serenade, " Summer Moon."