THE DUNEDIN SCHOOL OF ART.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6502, 14 December 1882, Page 4

THE DUNEDIN SCHOOL OF ART.

The annual exhibition of pictures in connection with the Dunedin School of Art was opened on Tuesday at the Normal School. This year's collection, as a whole, cannot be said to show any vory marked improvement upon those of former years, although there is the usual amount of creditable work, and the usual number of efforts from beginners not yet sufficiently far advanced for criticism. Mr Huttoa's system of teaching, has been recognised long since as a good rtnd thorough one, and he probably makes as much out of the material that comes to his hand as any instructor could do. As has generally been the case, tho crayon drawings from casts are represented better than any other class of work. Most of those show care and correctness of style, and some give decided promise of better things. Among the contributors of these may be mentioned Messrs H, Bastings, P. M'lntyre, Hendry, arid N. S. Bartlett; besides several others whose work shows considerable aptitude. The landscape copies in black and white are not so deserving of praise, most of them showing a crudeness which stampsthem as the efforts of comparative novices. Among the few oils that are on view, there are one or two which are worthy of favourable mention—notably a copy of Herring's " Farmyard," by Mr J. Torrens, which is good both in drawing and colouring. Mr Manning has also an enlargement in oils which, in spite of a certain heaviness in colour, 1 shows many points of merit; The watercolour drawings are not numerous, and do not, call for special notice. The students in this branch have not reached a very advanced stage, and it is somewhat difficult to express any decided opinion as to their individual n.erits. The mechanical drawing is, as usual, very good, and shows careful training. A number of persons visited the exhibition in. the course of yesterday, and displayed great interest in the pictures. They will continue on view for the present.