OTAGO ART SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14377, 21 November 1908, Page 6

OTAGO ART SOCIETY

AMONG THE PICTURES. Unquestionably the exhibits in the ivatercolour section of tho gallery will stand comparison with those in the oil-colour Boction, and, as is generally tho case, tho quality of ths work is somewhat mora even. Oil-colour is, in short, the medium more frequently chosep in which to perpetuate the worst excesses in tho name of Art. Among local artists, Miss Mabel Hill is strongly represented, having some eight pictures to her credit. In the large exhibit entitled "An Autumn Afternoon." the artist has produced a landscapo full of merit, particularly effective as a study of harmoniucsly-colourod sward and foliage, and as a faithful reflection of one of Nature's most interesting moods. If part of the picture is less than satisfactory it is the sicy. . That tho artist has considerable capacity in a. different line is amply in evidenco in her pastel portrait, entitled "Archie," which is a- strong and clover piece of work, tho features of tho subject full of expression, if a trifle heavy in oolouring. In addition,to another taking little portrait study of a girl's head, tho artist shows some Smaller landscapes of which the most pleasing is perhaps " A Still Evening, Brighton," and the least satisfactory " In lull- Bloom," in which tho difficulty of not ovor-tucentiuiting the colour has not been quite successfully surmounted. 1 The work of Miss D. K. Richmond is most interesting, and is 6f peculiar/Individuality. The artist's stylo is strongly impressionistic as a. rule, but is j un- ; deniably clever, especially in the handling of colour. "The Enchanted Grave," in which the ccv.tre of interest is a. clump of tgnarlcd and twisted trees, is a. strong pieco of work of sombre, tplio suitable to the theme. In " Sunset" is eien a charming litllo landscape, in which the foreground and distance, are excellent, if a predilection for "the far hill's purple rim" is perhaps a trifle obtrusively in evidence. " Across the Gorge" is. another effective landscape. In her remaining pictures tho artist Iras chosen tree subjects, and if a timber expert might complain 11 hat hor depictions of niatni and rimtt aro | not always 1 idsiitifi|iblo olf-hitnil, the moro j imaginative mir.d will find them very 1 pleasing combinations of colour and form, i; No. 269, " Black Birch and Kimu," is quite j one of the artist's happiest efforts in this ! line. "In Oamji" is more conventional. | Mr 0, N, Wfißley is anjong the most i consistent' of New Zealand artists, and his i exhibits this year arc thoroughly iepresehI tativo of his s work, which ranges from New i i'-ealand iahdscapo to studies of the elaborate architecture of .sunny Spain. "Poharji ! Beach' is a vigorous picco of work, excellent in balance and colouring, whilo " Wellington Heads in a Southerly Gale" is one of the few really effective seascapes in the gallery, a ntost breezy picture, full of movement, and suggestive of the tang of salt air. No. 275 is a'pleasing study of moonlight on the ivater. Mr Worsley's studies of Spanish facades reveal undeniable cleverness of drawing and colouring, though somewhat stereotyped as to subject. Among tho most prominent of these is No. 341, in which the architectural beauties of a fino old Spanish doorway are most faithfully pourtrayed, whilo '■ A Church Door, Salamanaoa," is a vivid piece of colour that arrests attention, though the- group of figures in the foreground lather suggests.a tableaux. "An Arab Courtyard, Grinada," suggests'rather too much striving after purely decorative and pretty effects, but is one of the -artist's best efforts, -'i Australian artists who6o work is conspicuous in the water-colour section are Mr Albert Hanson and Mr Julian Ashton. Mr Hanson is a prolific worker, and has quite a number of chnrsctcristio pictures 011 view, all revealing the bpst of harmony in form and colour. " Shades of Evening," one of his larger studies, is;ii most pleasing delineation of ono of the artist's favourite subjects, —namely, a' harvest scene,—and is charmingly coloured, while "At the Ford," in 601110 respects,his most important exhibit, shows most artistic treatment of a familiar source of. inspiration—namely, cattle crossing a stream. I'erhap3 a little more contrast in the colouring would have added io the general effect and given the picture more depth. Several typical pastoral andl bush scenes from the artist's brush amply reward. .inspection. . "The Selector's Daughter" is a taking figure study, such as might be expected fron- Mr Julian Ashton, simple and effective in treatment, with pleasing colour contrasts and attractive" in its subject—a sunbonnettcd maid obviously interested in dairy pursuits: In " Kefleclions" the artist shows a picture conspicuous. for the cleverness and clearness with which tho colour has been handled, the suggestion of the title being thoroughly) realised, while "The Hawkesbury River and "The Watorhole" are landscapes well up to his usual standard. Deserved prominence among the watercolours has been given to three pictures whcli comc from far afield, and which uro, from, the brush o-f a Well-known Scottish artist, Mr John. Mitchell, whose representations of Scottieh scenery earned the artist the distinguished patronage of the late Queea Victoria. The pictures now locally on view ai'.e fmoxexamples; of the artist's work, and one meed not look further to discover what would bo a most desirable acquisition to tho permanent collection of the city. No. 334, j" Otv the Muchali's C-oaet," is a striking, study l of grass-grown headland and sea,/the foam-fleckcd rollers at the base of the rocks receding into a vista of wiud-swcpt ocean of bracing vigour and movement. The colouring Is most harmoirioue and effective. Equally pleasing, is "A Harvest Scene, Ballater," the foreground in which, with' its detail of ricks and yelloiv stubble, a figure or two to enhance the interest, and its refined warmth of colouring, is a delightful piece of work of a kind that New Zealand artists too rarely attempt to imitate. "On the Dee, Early Morning," is a most restful and pleasing landscape. A notable contribution, to this section of the gallery is the pastel portrait, entitled "In Mcmoriara," by Mr H. M<)oro Jones, which is cemainly the finest study of its kind exhibited. / The 'drr-wing is masterly in its skill, and the monochrome of colour-' ing most. pleasin« in its s6ftnee6. Two small pictures of fishing boats in Brittany, by Mr S. L. Thompson, aro also of oonspicnous-- merit, conscientious in drawing and particularly strong and effcctive v in their colour scheme. i Tho water-oolours exhibited by Mr H. R. 0010 are of better riualitv than his exhibits iii tho ■ oil-colour section, and his marine studies arc deoidedly promising. In "A Cross Sea" some capital work is seen, and tho movomont of sea. and vessel is unmistakable. "Off Deal" is another vigorous study of sea and ships, a.r.d in " Thick Weather" tho atmosphoric eft'ect'ainied at has' been sufficiently caught to give tho desired jnmpression. Generally' speaking, the artist's subjects are of somewhat stereotyped order, Mr J. W. Dickson has been less sucocesful on the whole with bis water-colours than with his work, in oils. "A Susseic Garden" is well coloured but stiff in its outlines and in tho pose of the figures, whilo No. 343, somewhat similar in sub-' ject, betrays similar defects. " A Rockbound Coast" is not calculated to enhance the artist's reputation, though one or two etchings from his pencil are interesting. MrR. Harrison exhibits three or four small pictures of somewhat uneven merit. "The Dome Glacier from Matukituki Valley" is well coloured, but. too print in its execu'iiftli, while of Wb two mariiio studies " Bfoiihnwl off Dungeii'Xs " i 6 the better, tlvoug li stiffness of treatment is again in ovidonw. Of the pictures tearing tho name of Mr 1'!. Atkinson '' A Gloomy Sunset" shows a most ollVotive foreground in which a lonely tlax bush is utilised to advantage, though the sky is tomeuhat opaque. \\'ork of a highly iinpresiioniitic order is seen in "AvehiUft Tiuw," 'which does not lack fitveuii'th. though tho distant hill is quite. mydlMy vivid in colour No. 412, " -MtihvK> «ml Karaka," is perhaps lhe most SiitisfaMory of tho artist's tree studies, which show n k\hhl deal of promise. "Tho Road to OuliniiMi" by Mr 11, Nicoll, is a curious tho uierit of which lies in the colouring to swuro an clfecl in which tho aui.it is obviously prcp;ii'cd to sacrifice ohe, "Tho llrow of the Hill" iW'imU simiUv ehai'Holt'i'islics, and '"Tho Happy Horn* ol Childhood" is a rather woiwl siudy of ultommiod trees, Mr i\. Welch hill, put noi\t s drawing into his picliliv ol Wi'lliiijiion whiirvw and shipping, ami his " Unit \'«lloy" a clover liltlo hindsrape, A number ot litlle picturc.s by Mr Owon Merlon re|wy study, among which should h>> singled oni a very soft and pleasing otudy entitled "Kvcning in a i'ronoh Villago" and "The Ih-own Hill, I'areniata," which is an effective piece of work. Of - the four pictures shown by A. W. Walsh I wo at least deserve special attention, though all reveal good work. " A Spring Morning" io a really charming little landscape, most happily coloured, whilo "Grcymoiith Harbour" is ono of tho most satisfactory studies of shipping in the gallery. Miss li. M.' Every is to be compiimontcd on the general quality of her work, cspscially as seen in No. 3IV, "The Bivcr, A we," and in No. .3V1,. " Locli Awe," in which the colouring is excellent. In " Zona 1

Cathedral" Miss Emily Pattsrcon shows a pleasing picturc, though boldac tn/afmutit would huvo made nioro of jfW subject, while in " Venetian Boats" tlio drawing is good but the colouring rathaj hard No. 43? is an effective Jittle study of a ravino and waterfall by P Vai'den Velden, very pleasing in its cool colouring Mr ,W. ivlcnzics Gibb is represented by three small pictures, which it is impossible to describe as anything else but remarkably pretty, The description applies specially to iNo. 393, " Mount Cook from Lake I'iikaki," in which, though it has en tailed the sacrilico of strength, the colouring has been most) skilfully managed. The two lajj'.lscnpcß which represent Mt C. 11. Uoworth's contribution to the watercolour scction are of all the finish characteristic of the artist's work, and aro very faithful and satisfying as reproductions of Nature. In '• Fairy Cove, Lake Mana.pouri" the foreground of trees and bouhiera )8 particularly well <lone, and in bqth therq is Hie restful atmosphere of quiet harmony generally a featuro of the artist's work, J-'he small landscapes sliown by Mrs W M.~ rvaviier aro effective if somewhat high in colouring, and the drawing an No. 532, a, shipping 6ccne, is distinctly good. Too much striving after mere prettiness 19 noticeable in the majority of. ill- J H. iNicholson a exhibits, in which landscape is the conventional subject, No. 423, " Autumn on the Wuiroa Itiver" being, an example of ?™''' c ° ( i un '' f V There is good work ii> So. , * " Old Orchard,'' but too much regularity and | 0 little depth. A quintet of unpretentious pictures bv K. K. Htilket-t contains some interesting work. " Autuinii* lints is a clever study of foliage, and " Springtime i s a very attractive aiid welljcoloured little scene. -'A Study in Spain' 1 js not «n attractive subject, hut " Sungirt • City Perugia" and "Via Appia. .Pertig.a "• ale both effective pictures. iNo, 363, by lidwin Jiartloy, is a capital little study of rocks and and " livening," by the satno artist, has likewise distinct merit. "'la Rising. ■ Alisi, Ly'ttclton Harbour,' 7 tne' ' colouring is lew successful. Of "Mr Cunningham Bridgman's four exhibits "Evening 011 Dan moor" is distinctly his best eliort, and isa taking little picture. The colouring is very hurlnonious and cffcctivo, though greater lrccdom of treatment would have given more strength in the foreground, lhe Ohau River" also contains somo really meritorious work. <Iho most striking of Miss K. Hill Jack's exhibits is., undoubtedly Iter largo charcoal study of a head, a really .fine piece of drawing, excellent in detail and shading, home cleverly-painted miniatures by tho eame artist repay inspection, as do also, some interesting pen-and-ink designs. Two or.three landscape studies in sepia by ,Miss Minified Ureen are well executed, if rather " u'!'° i o ' l '' l- Sad Sea Waves" and . Miltord bound" are both effective picture. Of four landscapes of small size by vi »' e i that enti,lc<l ■" Boulder Bank, Aelson, best repays attention, an interesting subject being well handled, albeit the colouring is somewhat high and artificial. 11l 'l)hows otf Suez" there is good, drawing, but the sea ia not very convincing. il 1 1 ?! Road" Stands out as among ™ °' " a '* a tlozen landscapes by G. " M, \\ebster, and/"An Old Wayside Store" is also interesting. In othei/ instances the artists colouring Juts not been entifolv successful. Iwo little studies of interesting Continental subjects- by Mrs Ogstori are faithful in-execution and of distinct merit. Miss I. H. Burton shows four exhibits ot • promise, including two well-treated figure > and an jetxectivo flower study. No." 397, " Landscape BedfoiMshire," is anionic the happiest qt Mrs V Uryan'e efforts, and and harmonious in colouring. Buckingham Palace," by the same artist is also, a taking sketch. Two little landscapes arc shown tby Mrs Wccdhouse, and ' both <lo >hc artist ci'Ottit, especially tio. 358, "Moeraki," a really effective study of trees and shore. No. 376, "Lake Wakal'lpu, oy Miss A. Making, is quite unnaturally vivid lit cslouriiig, but "In tho blarence Valley," by the same artist, ia ' muon more satisfactory. Of tho exhibits shown by Mia M. Jonce " A Grey Evening is distinctly the best, and the subjee*' has been artistically treated. "Iris," by Bj'les, is a study of a head' in cha.it, but is scarcely interesting. In tlje.water-colour department, as among the oil-colours, the loan pictures" are a feature of tho exhibition. The visitor will find it particularly interesting' to conipwe the studies of Dartmoor scenery by English artists, all forwarded by the same owner. These are all as pleasing as they are. different in character. The more beautiful aspect of tho region which Mr Eden- Phil- ■ potts has made so familiar in current literature is exemplified in .No. 392, by W Alford, while a view of: the " Watcrn Jar, S. Morrish, is another delightful little landscape, most harmoniously and effectively coloured. The two views of revealing its more . sombre sido are by F. T. Widgery, and are full of strength and atmosphere. No. 410 is a particularly imprcssivo piece of work, noteworthy, like No. 355, for the skill witli, which the artist .has expressed lhe idea of distance and solitude., Both pictures ' show very characteristic treatment of background. >' . 377, After the Blizzard,'/', is a fino delineation of/a seaport town under snow, . best examples of the work ' l°\ ™ -Ayerst Ingram exhibited locally; while in 'The Grassmarket, Edinburgh," by John Terns, R.S.A., is exhibited a striking presentment of one of the most interesting glimpses of the historic Scottish • city. Evening," by F White, R. 1., is a most restful picture of 0110 of those quiet ' farm scenes naturally associated with Eng. lish rural landscapo in its most harmoniousinoodj. Mr J. L. Balfour's one contribution to tho gallery- this year is No. 407, "Thought, ful Moments," a charmingly coloured study of a girl's head in .profile, th<i jioise bsing. excellent. Miss F, Wimppris shows some interesting pictures of ecenes abroad notice/ able 'or their effective, colouring. Proniij nent among bhe3e aro "Fishing Boats, "hioggia," and "Romolo's House, FIOI-.' enee." "Morning, Karitane," is an efffc- ' tive litt-lc li/ndficapo by the'samo artist. Mr J. F. Scott's one exhibit is a, capital little picture of Warrington Beach, while Mr JM. Madden's isolated contribution. to th# gallery is a rather effective study of fishing boats by moonlight. Miss M'Ledd shows two ot - throo small landscapes / weak in colouring. To the work of quite a number of other exhibitors it would be superfluous. to call special attention, and the best tbat can be said of a good deal of it is that tha' intention Animating it has been excellent. In concluding discussion of the exhibits, attention may, well be called to the work in. the section devoted (to competition pictures, some of which are of, surprisingly good quality, The successful' landscape by Mr H. Pattle is a particularly (rood piece of work, and tho winning still-life and head > studies lefleot no small credit on their authors. 1 \ — 11 ■ /'