PERCY’S PICTURES

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11436, 5 February 1923, Page 9

PERCY’S PICTURES

COMEDIAN AND ARTIST. Eaton’s Art Gallery, in Willis street, at present contains a, number of charming water colours and etchings by the hand of Mr W. S. Percy, the clever comedian of the Williamson Musical Oomedy Company. Streetscenes in southern towns are the bulk of the collection. Mr Percy has a weakness for early Victorian architecture, and these Sussex highways have caught his pencil and are here shown in all their idleness in a clear air and summer sun of the southern towns. Winchelsea and Weymouth are represented in this collection, and each shows that the artist is capable of dainty work, a soft symphony of colours, and that he is the master of a delicate line. Though not of the company of Russell Flint, rather should we compare him with Jardine, Mr Percy can handle colours cleverly and in some pictures of gardens the colour is laid on with fine hut bold strokes. Also, he is a quaint and careful etcher who understands economy of line, and lias a discerning eye which tells him unerringly what subjects are suited to his' style. Several Auckland etchings are among the black and white studies here, and nil have that quality of suggestion which all etchers from Rembrandt to Whistler have shown.