THE ART EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14692, 29 May 1911, Page 5

THE ART EXHIBITION.

THIRD NOTICE.

The tendance at the Society of Arts' Exhibition is so far easily a record, being more than double that of the corresponding days of last year. On Saturday afternoon refreshments were provided for visitors by the Indies of the society, and in the evening Schneider's orchestra rendered a' very enjoyable programme of music. Several more pictures were sold on Saturday. His Excellency tho Governor and Lady Islington have already made several purchases, and intend paying another visit to the gallery with the object of securing further works. An art union is being held in connection with the exhibition, and tickets are obtainable from the leading stationers, J. Leech and the secretary.

Among the oils shown outside tho main gallery there are a few of interest in the vestibules and in a small gallery on tho lower floor. Notable among them are some vigorous seascapes by Mr. A. Lloyd. No. 26y is a sailing ship in a lively sea. No. 272 shows a fishing boat under sail, and No. is a study of a. heavy breaking sea. 1 hey all show one marked characteristic — a good understanding of the ways of water, and it is clear that the artist will, with work, become a very capable marino painter. As yet, however, though the water flows well, it is hard, and his pictures lack atmosphere to a serious extent. In 269, for. instance, the ship is harshly drawn; and his horizons and distances arc harsh.

Another marine painter who shows some striking pictures is Mr. I. de Vere-Percy. In Nos. 271 and 274 ho shows naval battles, the one an old-time picture of sailing chips at grips, the other a, study of ironclads. I lie former is not in the least convincing, and tho picture is condemned by the inclusion of that hackneyed adjunct to sea-fights, the ridiculous broken spar that floats endup in the corner of the canvas. In No. 274 the picture is in a great haze of smoke, and the ships are only suggested. Another of Mr. de Vere-Pcrcy's pictures, Cholera," showing a plague ship surrounded by a blaze of yellow light and a cloud of sea-birds, is decidedly unpleasant. Prominently shown in tho stairway is a painting of Mrs. E. Spicor (No. 275) "An Easterly, Auckland Harbour." It is a very familiar view, and is correct as a representation of the outlook towards Devonport and liangitoto; but its execution is rather crude.

A very delightful range of water-colours is hung. It includes several very pleasing sketches from the Continent by Mr. Worsley, characterised by the delicacy and treatment for which he is known. No. 180, An Autumn Morning at Ohillon, Geneva,'' is especially pleasing in its lender colouring.

Mr. Frank Wright is well represented by several water-colours of fine quality, and in 1) is best style. Ho is notable for his versatility in method, for while many colourists adhere more or less to one leading style, ho_ has pictures in several keys, some quite bright and others in a darker style. A couple of small shipping sketches arc pleasing and novel in treatment. Mr. Menzies Gibb has some happy sketches. There aro several highly-attractive water-colours by Mr. E. Hartley. "A Study" (No. 204) is a delightful portrait, well worthy of the admiration generally given to it. Hisothor works arc landscapes, bright in colouring, good in drawing, and full of a refreshing quality. A striking picture by Mr. Linley Richardson is " Idle Moments." It is a pastille study in a poster style of a young girl with a cat. and it is full of" good quality, except that the young person's legs are not as satisfactory as the rest of the picture: on the whole it is as bright as anything on tho walls. The "< same painter lias "Tho Convalescent" (N6. 179), and in this his good draughtsmanship calls for attention.

Mr. J. M. Madden's " Harbour Lights" is a very good marine study of a murky night upon a water-way crowded with shipping. The lower vestibule, Las been made the repository for the black and white contributions, which, while not numerous, include Fomo very good work. Foremost among them are some powerful work by Mr. Linley Richardson; he has with them' a water-colour of Willis-street, Wellington, by night, which is admirable. Mr. E. Marechal de Vidts shows somo powerful heads, Mr. M. Levy lias some good cover designs. Nothing is more pleasing in execution than a series by Mies A. G. Burton in the same vestibule. These aro four water-colour drawings of birds, beautifully drawn and full of delicate detail, yet of a softness that is altogether delightful. Mr. R. Wall work has, in Nos. 410, 441 and 442, some very dainty and pleasing etchings. Tho photographic section is small and lacking in interest. Mr. Gerald Jones has, in No. 443. a set of ten portraits and figure studies. Thoy aro all very subdued in tone, some of them are not very graceful, and none are exceptionally good: but they display ability in the production of quiet and harmonious effects. No. 444 is a pleasing study of a number of puppies by Jane Finn.

Modelling and sculpture is scarce. Miss Amy Dawson shows a well-executed plasticene equestrian figure, 'the horse being well and boldly modelled : and there is a little marble bust by Claudius Braesington.

It is, of course, impossible to review even the greater number of the big display of pictures; and in view of this it is unnecessary to draw attention to many which are of poor quality. The taste of the gentleman who arranged the pictures has been admirable, and the poorest- have been put quietly away. He has had to act in his capacity as "hangman" in fome cases, and ,a good number have been quietlv buried, so that there are not a great many very bad works on view. On the other band, there are a great many pictures of undoubted merit that cannot bo mentioned individually.