PROMINENT PICTURES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14690, 26 May 1911, Page 5

PROMINENT PICTURES.

BY NEW ZEALAND ARTISTS.

The pictures shown in the exhibition include a large number by well-known artists in various parts of the Dominion, and many of them deserve special notice. Among New Zealand artists, few produce more popular pictures than does Mr. C. F. Goldie ; and one of his works is the most striking exhibit in the gallery. It represent*; Christ discovered by his parents in the temple, questioning the elders. The work was executed by Mr. Goldio long ago, though not in its now completed form, but has not been publicly exhibited before.. The general treatment of the subject is broad and satisfying, yet Mr. Goldie has given full play to his Jove of detail, even on -large a canvas. One of the figures, an.elder clad in grey, to the' left of the picture, is remarkable for the fine painting of the drapery. As an illustration of Mr. Goldie's care in detail, the work' in the Mosaic floor may be fairly quoted ; critics liken it honestly to the work of Sir' Alma Tadema. If the picture has a weakness, it is in the central figure of the youthful Christ. He is held forth by strong lighting, and is a pleasing figure, but does not scom 4 to fit in the picture properly, 'the rest of Mr. Goldie's works shown are Maori portraits. In depicting types of a native race, he probably stands in the forefront of the world's artists, and the present examples are quite up to bis standard. No. 22, "The Last of the Cannibals," and No. 80, " Wharekauri Tahuna," are portraits of Maori chieftains ; while No. 48, entitled "Memories," is a portrait of an Arawa chieftainess, and Nos. 56 and 124 show the familiar fa.ee of Sophia. The three last-named nro comparatively small works, but all are painted with the thoroughness and high technique generally associated with the artist's work, and inspired by bis strong sympathy with his subjects. Several pictures from the brush of Mr. G. E. Butler are hung, and they include one of the most notable paintings shown. Ibis is "Homeward" (No. 84), a fine study of a couple of working men returning from their toil. The picture has been hung at the Koyal Academy and at the Koyal Scottish Academy, It is in a lQiYuOaafi iiCaunaaiiukjyitk~th.a half?.

light, represented, and with the serious air of tho workers, whose faces are living laces. The painter obviously has a strong sympathy lor workers, and it finds strong expression in this picture. The composition of " Homeward" is most pleasing. Sharply contrasting in style with this work is "The Morning Gallop" (No. '62), a bright and lively study of a lady with two children,, "playing horses" in an open field. Mr. Butler also shows "A Shepherd's Delight" (No. 129), a small landscape with a very apposite title, for it represents a shepherd with a few sheep, resting in a peaceful evening light, while the sky glows gently with the rosy light that betokens fair weather to follow. Artists have found much to admire in this tittle picture, and it is likely to be a very popular one. Another work by the same artist, though not so pleasing, is No. 77, "As Little Children," a study of an old man and a child. An ambitious share of wall space has been taken by Mr. H. Moore-Jones, and the character of his paintings is of wide range. Most striking amongst them, indeed one of the most striking canvases in the gallery, is " Dread Drought," a symbolical work intended to illustrate the terrors of the dry scourge of lands. The artist has devised, as tho genius of destruction, a very dreadful zoological specimen, chiefly blue and yellow in colouring, a wierd creature much worse than most nightmares. As appurtenances to the flying spirits are blasted trees, blue, huge birds, parching skeletons, and a lurid sky. "'.Hie Savages" (No. 128) is a picture of a heavy character, its intense sombreiiess strongly relieved by a splendid patch of sunset sky. The figures are a Maori warrior and his family, the man being a dignified and powerful figure. The intention of the work in to indicate the presence in the savage breast of as gentle instincts as stir tho civilised nature. The artist has put in a small symbolic picture (No. 39) entitled "Charity and the Beer Bottle," which is quite unpleasant without any gorgeousness'to redeem it. After the contemplation of such morbid matters as this, and the drought devil, it is quite refreshing to look at his "Portrait of Mrs. R. A. Singer" (No. 165), which is a, wholly pleasant production in a modernised version of the Gainsborough style. His Kindred Souls" (No. 86) is a portrait. of a musician deriving much pleasure from the playing of a beloved 'cello. The work of a well-known brush is shown in some auiet and pleasant landscapes by Mr. Menzies Gibb. No. 148, "St. Ives," is absolutely satisfactory. Tt represents some fishing Boats at anchor in a gray morning light, with soft reflections in the water and some charming clouds. No. 29 is "Carrick Castle. Loch Long," and is a characteristic Scottish lake picture; and No. 35 is another pleasing landscapo by the same artist. One of the best pictures that has yet been shown from the works of Mr. Frank Wright serves to represent him in the oils section, his principal contributions to tne exhibition being among the water colours. This is No. 95, "The Tranquil Hour." It is a peaceful river and bush scene, quite typical in colour and drawing of a picco of New Zealand forest. Several attractive studies of Maori life have been sent in by Mr. Walter Wright, and they are all very pleasing works. The figures in all are secondary to the landscape in the picture, but they have a distinct genre character, and thoy are all very effecfive and tho work in them is on the high level associated with his productions generally.