ART SOCIETY'S EXHIBITION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2179, 28 November 1895, Page 59

ART SOCIETY'S EXHIBITION.

IH. The water colours are this year neither so numerous nor so important, generally, »s those exhibited last- year, they suffer, too, from the fact that they are almost crowded out of the main gallery, being for the most part displayed in the small and not particularly well-lighted side room with an atmosphere which suggests the proximity of stale tea and soapsuds. It is not, however, the room but the pictures with which it is necessary to deal. In the main gallery the chief exhibit ig one by HUs Mabel Hill— a portrait of Mrs Harry Marshall (No. 200). With the merits of this picture as a portrait we are not concerned, but one is glad of opportunity of eaying, with regard to its execution, that it does the artist great credit. It reminds many visitors to the exhibition a great deal of some important works in thab line by Mr Tennyson Cole. The subject of this picture is posed in a picturesque attitude, and robed in some white material, profusely decorated with roses. The colour is clean, pure, and everything that a water colour should be, and the technical quality of the picture as a whole is excellent. Below it is a charming little sketch of a girl's Lead (No. 202) — very small, very choice, and altogether a gem. It is the work of Mrs Joachim, and, although slight, has the quality of true attistic fesiing. In close proximity to this are two charming water colours by Mr L. W. Wilson — " Lake Te Anau from the Upokoro River " (No. 198) and •" Dunedin from Anderson's Bay" (No. 201). Each of these email pictures has besn painted with even more than usual of Mr Wilson's care and love of detail. The Dutedin picture is almpßt perfeofc in its vraisemblance, and it is pleasing to note, from the red star, that it has found an appreciative admirer. Another excellent piece of portraiture is No. 192, by Mies F. M. Wimperis, in which the well-known features of the popular reotor of the Girls' High School are reproduced. Miss Wimperis has chosen pastel as the medium -for representing her subject, in the treatment of which she has been very succe3»ful. Mr John Baillie's '•Full-fed fliver Winding S{ow" (No. 197), pAthouah commendable for its clsan work,

S appears to be somewhat deficient in drawl ipg, and perhaps a little wanting- ia strength. Mis Woodhouse is ono of tho society's members whose works are each yea? marked by indications of advance and by careful study. Her little picture, "Fendalton" (No. 195), i« well drawn and nicely treated. The flower studies of Miss Stoddart are three in number— "Chrysanthemum 1 }" (Nos. 194 and 246) and " Wattle Bloom "(No. 231). These studies are not only truthfully drawn, but are painted with great vigour and a fine colour effect. For delicacy of treatment the preference must be given to No. 231, than which thera has rarely been seen— at all events within tho last year or two— anj thing so good on the walla of tbe exhibition. No. 187, which is by Miss Hodgkiup, represents an old woman with a long, weary, far-away look, apparently thinking, as part of the title says— Of days long vanished, Of years gone by. It is the principal work of this clever young artiV., who is thoroughly fulfilling the promise of previous yeirs. The painting is strong and vigorous, and is iv every respect a very creditable production. Miss Hodgkius has also two small but very pleasiDg tubjecta below the line — "Teach Blossom" (No 196) and "A Little Moosmie" (No. 209). Bach of these is a httle gem in its way, and each has evidently been captured by an admirer. It ia in such little artistic effect* as these that Mi«s Hcdgkins appears to excellence. Close by are a couple of small water colours by Mr H M L Atcherley. In "The Reaoue " (No. 211) ia depicted a ship which has loit a " hand" over" board, and has hoveto while her well-manned boat is rapidly approaching the drownino man. The euggostion of life in this: little picture, strongly helped as it "is by tbe grey key of colour iv which it is worked, shows it to be an exceedingly e'ever tkefch. An equally good ono is "The Gable End Foreland, East Cost" (No. 212). The drawing is perfect and the colouring ia pure. It ia unfortunate that I here aro not in tho exhibition other and more important works from the brush of this undoubtedly clever artist "By Still Waters" (No. 221), by Dr Scott, is thought by most visitors -to the gallery to be the best water colour in it. For careful and indeed perfect drawing, for atmospheric effect, and for quiet and pure treatment there is hardly a. picture in the room which excels it. Dr Scott has another example— "On the North Road" (248) — in which a few gum trees are massed against a well- painted breezy sky, which it skilfully suggested by the foliage.