EXHIBITION OE PICTRES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13856, 20 March 1907, Page 6

EXHIBITION OE PICTRES.

Sinco Mr E. W. Christruas's last exhibition oE oils and water colours in Dunedin some IS months ago that artist was induced to icniain in tho colony and complete sonio important works for the- Tourist Department, aiid tlie first scries, depicting the advancement of New Zealand farm and station life from the virgin bnsh to tho stage of the "well-to-do" farm or station, at present on view at the Christchurch Exhibition, havo been so well thought of that it is intended to show them , throughout the Australasian colonies, and subsequently in tho Old Country. Mr Christmas's ability to successfully picture the grandeur and splendour of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and their great icefields, which ho describes as the greatest and most beautiful in New Zealand's wonderland, is very well known, and tho artist has also been commissioned io exceuto oils in connection with a view of these scones. In the artist's collection, which is at present on view at tho Slock Exchange buildings, are many exquisite views painted during a tour through this newly-opened-up tourist district. A ca'nvoa that immediately attracts attention is one entitled " Sitfsct on the Fox Glacier," in. which tho artist successfully deals with a somewhat difficult subject. Mr Christmas appears to excel in sunlight and shadow effects, and Ihis picture- is a notable example of his prowess in this direotion, tho rc-presonted sunlight on the mountain tops being particularly fine. Its warmth affords a peculiar contrast to shado lower down on Uio icefield. Amongst tho water colours is a general view of the mountain and surroundings of tho Franz Josef Glacier from the road approaching the accommodation house. This gives' a fino feeling of warmth in the disUr.ce, while the shadow o£ a cloud thrown over the foreground is truly effective. The composition is excellent, and the general effect of the lighting has been. most happily conceived. Jinny others,, dealing with these two subjects, are of equal* merit. Tho first picture on tho catalogue is a. fine picture of Mount Cook from Governor's Bush which was favourably commented on when on exhibition, at tho last Dnnetrin Art Society's Exhibition. One of the finest works m tho collection is that entitled " Moonlight, Lincolnshire," in which is depicted, in one of tho quaint old streets overshadowed by qu&inft old buildings of the. Dutch period of over 400 years ago, an exquisite feeling of moonlight. 'Mr Christmas has also on exhibition the winner'" of tho Dnthio prize—" Sunlight and: Shade, Wellington Harbour." Sunlight is tho feature of the picture, which is a broadhandled effective work full of merit regarding light and shade. "Lake Ada" is another work of more than ordinary merit, extremely broad in treatment, yet full of interest, correct in tone, and pleasing in composition. A dreamy effect, with a shimmer of light showing through the whole picture, is obtained , in "In the Gloaming, ICcw South Wales," and this canvas the artist numbers as one of the best in his collection. Another Australian picture, entitled "The Afterglow," depicts what the natives call a "billabong" (the junction'of a stream with the rivarj, giving ■the effect of a. warm evening Australian atmosplieYe. On tho left hand side is shown a blackfelloT. , '.! "wurlie." Many of the oilier oils aio equally deserving of mention, audtho collection embraces all manner of subjects. " Burning Logs" is amongst the water colours, and the original sketch, for this pieturo is at present on view at tho Exhibition art gallery, where it has 'been much admired. In it Mr Christmas again obtains an admirable light and shade effect, and the colour schema is also very good, 'flic scene depict a settlor's honustctid, with portion of tho land cleared and " burninjj-oft " operations ill progress. Those pictures noted are but a few in a collection that bespeaks the tnio artist ill each individual picture. The collection will bo on view privately to-day, and will be open to tho public on Thursday and Friday. Drinking the king drink—King coffee,