OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2545, 24 December 1902, Page 13 (Supplement)

OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

1. "Portrait of the Late Wm. Chrystall, Esq." — This memorial portrait was painted by Mr Balfour for a public institution in Christchurch, and excited a good deal of interest in the Art Society's Exhibition in the early part of the present year. Like all portraits, its chief merit, of course, consists in its truthful delineation of the sitter, a point which can only be decided by those well acquainted with him ; but apart from this there is much that an art critic can praise or condemn in the treatment of every portrait, and here he cannot help admiring the natural pose of the figure, the clearly cut features, the expressive eyes, and the beautifully modelled hands, together with an admirable simplicity and directness of execution, which speak of the artist, who puts his art before himself, and effaces himself that he may do greater justice to his subject. 2. "La Toilette." — Is the portrait of a young girl exhibited in the Christchurch Exhibition last year. The nightblack hair contrasts strongly with ' the pallor of neck and face, and forms a fine example of an artistic treatment. 3. " A Portrait." — The benign and cheerful face of the old gentleman here presented to us is of so life-like and pleasing a character that no one looking on it can doubt that Mr Balfour has found his vocation, and that he has

attained the faculty of absolute sympathy with his sitter, which is the true secret of the successful portrait painter, let his knowledge of technique be what it may.