THE SCHOOL OF ART.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4629, 16 December 1876, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE SCHOOL OF ART.

Yesterday afternoon the sixth annual exhibition of drawings and paintings by the pupils attending the Otago School of Art, under the management of Mr F. W. Hutton, was unostentatiously opened. The exhibits are not only far more numerous but also of better quality than those of last session. During the past nine months the classes attending the Normal School have been repre. sented as follows : — Teachers' class, 51 ; ladies' afternoon class, 50 ; evening class, 160; total, 261. Besides superintending the above, Mr Hutton, who has two assistants, gives instruction to about 2000 pupils in the various schools. There was a large number of visitors at the Normal School yesterday, and they appeared to take considerable interest in the artistic display. We will proceed to indicate the principal productions in each department. DRAWINGS IN WATER COLOURS, "The Water Mill" is an excellent subject tastefully handled by Miss Dick, whose pencil has also been used to advantage in copying other gems—including "The Swiss Lake and Fall." Mrs Davidson contributes a largo number of excellent drawings. Amongst them are " The Glen," with cattle in the foreground; "On the Molyneux," from nature—a very pretty effect; " The Nuggets," from nature, in which the light and shade are skilfully pourtrayed ; a Canterbury scene; " Mountains near the Head of Lake Wakatip;" and "Dunedin Bay," also from nature, showing a small portion of the harbour, and which may fairly be regarded as one of her best efforts. Mr Manning's exhibit, "Brown. Eyes," representing the bust of a child with & lapdog in her arms, bears evidence of having been delicately treated by a skilful artist, the expression and tone being perfect. His "Blue Eyes " ia equally successful and interesting. "TheLaurlie Rock," a beautiful scene on the Rhine, is exquisitely painted by Miss Mary Smith. Of her other contributions— "Cats and Rabbits," "Children at Play," and "Ancient Ruins," deserve to be mentioned, the last especially showing a nice warm tone. Mr Murray is very happy in producing " The Wooden Walls of Old Eng. land," after Stanfield. The copy bears the impress and boldness of a master hand. Mr Murray's "Dunedin Bay from, near Burkes Brewery," from nature, is also excellent. " Laurlie Rock," by Miss C. Gow, has been artistically finished. Miss Lydia Curtis has wonderfully improved since she joined the School of Art.as can easily be seen nycomparing the first and last productions from her easel. Besides drawing " Blue Eyes " and " Brown Eyes," this lady has contributed one of the principal gems of the exhibition, entitled " Crossing the Mountains." Here there is a fine harmony of colours, and the perspective is excellent. Mis<j Julia Smith has drawn a remarkably correct copy of "Cats and Rabbits," besides producing "Dessert," a charming effect. Miss Janet Sibbald may be complimented for her representation of " The Grand Canal of Venice," after Callow. We would be glad to see further evidences of Miss Susan Lubecki's skill. Her drawing of " The Spaniel and Woodcock " is an exquisite piece of work, and the samo complimentary remark might be applied to her !"Keswick on the Thames by Moonlight," from an old fashioned copy. Miss Wright's "Grapes and Orange" from nature is a very pretty effect. Of the others we may particularise " A Lake Scene " by Miss Isabella Hislop, and "Venice" by Miss May Tre seder, both evidencing considerable taste. OILS. In this department most of the paintings would command favourable notice in more pretentious exhibitions than those of the School of Art. "The Juniper Green," by Miss Park, is beautifully finished. Miss Rosina Davies seems to have treated "Venice," after Turner, R.A., with particular care. Perhaps the leading feature of the exhibition is Miss Mary Chapman's painting of " Mount Car^ill," from nature. This clever piece of work was accomplished in the upper storey of the Normal School, the view being taken therefrom. One can, therefore, very easily compare the work with its representation. Thß perspective, with the new Knox Church and other well-known buildings in the foreground, is really grand. Miss Chapman also contributes the portrait of a gentleman (in oil), and " The Swiss Scene." A very beautiful production is the large-sized portrait of a lady, by Miss Johanna Flanagan, who also contributes a charming landscape scene. Master A. Robin has painted seveial "crests" on a coach panel, which have been the subject of high encomiums from connoisseurs. Two exquisite views on the Rhine are contributed by Mrs Sinclair. A great deal of care may be ob served in Mr James Thomson's beautiful representation of "The Interior of an Italian Church," which is a thorough work of art. Mr Banks exhibits "The Venetian Boatmen " and " Over the Mountains," both creditable efforts. Two paintings, the first productions from the pen of Maßter George Hadfield, are well worthy of mention. The same remark will apply to Master John Lindsay's painting of "The Queen of Hearts." Among tho others we noticed "The Village Belle," by Mr Hutchinson, and Mrs Stott'a "Crossing the Stream" and <( Blua Eyes." SEPIA DRAWINGS. The exhibits in this department were remarkable for their transparency. Miss Janet Di.well showed an excellent Vine Twig, from the cast; Miss Miller, a Diana; Miss J. M'lntosh, the Grapea and the Lizard; Misa White, Augustus Cqesar j Mrs Sinclair, Apples j Miss Isabella Hislop, the Vine ; Master Boldini, Apples and Plums ; Mias Ellen Banks, a Diana. The other leading exhibitors were Misses Jessie Banks, B. K. Sperry, and A, M'Dougall. CHALK DRAWINGS. The best drawings from the cast are those of Masters Walter Boldini and John Lindsay. Of the other exhibits, those thown by Misses E. K. Sperry, Edith Bathgate, Fanny Cargill, Nelly M'Pherson, Alice Taj?gart, Messrs A. M'Dougall, R. Forsyth, W. Tyree, A. O'Keeffe, H. Dodd, and Edgar, deserve to be mentioned. Perhaps the most beautiful drawing was that of " The Bead Stag," after Landseer, by Miss E. K. Sperry. MISCELLANEOUS.

Some really splendid mechanical drawings were shown, the principal being those by Messrs Smaill, Harris, Gutten, Barr, Beal, M'Dermid, Tennent, and James Grant.

In the architectural drawing department, the production? of Messrs John Reid, Edwin Hardy, Armstrong, and Dalgleish were particularly noticeable. Mr R. Gordon was the only exhibitor of etchings, which were very well executed. Mr Phillips's outlines from the cast were decidedly the best. The exhibition will be re opened to-day, when those who can afford the time will do well to pay the Normal School ft visit,