THE SUTER ART GALLERY.

Colonist, Volume XLII, Issue 9497, 5 June 1899, Page 2

THE SUTER ART GALLERY.

OPENING EXHIBITION.

The special exhibition organised for the purpose of marking the opening of the Bishop Suter Memorial Art Gallery has now closed, and there is reason for regret in the fact that the very large number of interesting exhibits which are not included in the number that are to permanently adorn the walls, are no longer open for inspection. By more than one observer competent to express an opinion, it has been averred that the collection of Photographs contributed by the Camera Clubs of Nelson Auckland, Wellington, Hawkes Bay and Dunedin proved the finest that has been got together in New Zealand up to this time. The contributions of the outside camera olubs scarcely contain a bad picture, most of the work being well above the average in merit, and a considerable portion of quite superlative excellence. The club, next to the Nelson Club, contributing the largest number of exhibits is the Wellington Camera Club, and the secretary of the club, Mr Heginbotham, has not less than twenty photos exhibited. Most of these are carbon prints, anr* among the number of exquisite pictures he shows mpy be mentioned " On the Sands," " Behind the Windy Town," "The Rivera Ford," "End of an Autumn Day," and " Sibyl," .he latter an enlarged •portrait. Mr Frank J. Denton also exhibits some splendid work. " The Boad through the Valley" is a picture that gained the first prize at the Wellington Intercolonial Exhibition, and a bronze medal at the India Exhibition'of 1890, and it goes without saying that it has been greatly admired here. " Winters' Dawn is Grey," by the same artist, is a beautiful little picture. Mr Watson showß a lot of work, forming some of the best in the room. The study

•'A Fisherman's Head," is a splendid portrait, aud among other work from tbe same camera which commanded attention was " Declining Day,"" Going to the Sheep Fair," and "The Fisherman's Tale;" Mr GiffOid is to the fore f ont in various departments. Some fine portr jits claim attention, and three flower studies show some excellent taste and very fine work. A group of horses " The Anti Bot Fly Association," and a Seascape " The Toiling Surges Laden with Seaweed," are two good pictures. Mr Pringle also shows Some beautiful work. "Atlamuri," with group of horaes in the foreground-, is one of the most admired pictures in the exhibition, and the marine study " An Early Start,' one of the best oi its class. Thig picture gained the silver medal at Dunedin for marine, subjects., Mr Joyce has a good portraii in "Baron MuUwo-, 1 ' and his " Tranquility "is a very choice bit of landscape work. Other smaller contributors from Wellington are Mrs J. P. Firth, Messrs Barltrop, Mclntyre, Tegetmeier, E. G Lowe, Keedwell, Mandel, Spackman, Dawson and Salomon, who all exhibit something worthy of inspection. The Auckland Club, too, sends down some splendid work. Mr Arthur has several fine pictures, among which the mountain and bush scene, " The Evening Comes and Clothes the Hills with Poetry," calls for special mention, for subject and treatment are alike excellent. Mr Walrond, who formerly resided in Nelson, is one of the most successful among the exhibitors, "The Silence of the Sea," " On the Gold Coast," and " Point Chevalier " all being fine pictures, Mr Leedham, with "A Misty Morning," has secured splendid sky effects, and several of his pictures call forth admiration. Mr Trenworth has a number of snap-shotßi and these are little gems without a doubt. Mr Wright's best work is " A Misty Morning "; Mr Walker has three nice little pictures, and Mr A. F. Whittington a number, of which " Early Morning " is the most striking. Mr Coomer also exhibits one or two small views. The Hawke's Bay Club is represented by three exhibitors, among whom Mr Shanley is in the leading place. Hiß|" Interior of Exeter Cathedral " is a splendid photo, and a dainty view is "By the CanaL" Mr Beswick shows some good, marine studies and Maori subjects, and Mr Charlton some fine interiorl of English homes.

Coming to the Dunedin Club exhibits we find that our Southern friends are not behind in their ability to produce artistic work. Mr Kerr contributes some interesting views of various parti of New Zealand ; Mr Thomson has a good picture in the " Derelict" ; Mr Williams has several fair portraits, and two good pictures ia " The Gentle Craft," and " Evening of the Voyage" ; Mr J. Skottowe Webb (Secretary of the Club) has a fine interior of Seacliff Asylum, his sole exhibit; Mr Chisholmin "Bull Creek," and "The Mouth of Bull Creek, 1 ' has a good river scene and seascape respectively. Mr A. J. Barth's set of four are little gems, and " Evansdale," a river-side scene, is not excelled in all the exhibition for delicacy. Mr R A. Ewing has a fine marine study in " Anchored," and Mr Crichton has interesting views of shipbuilding yards in Tasmania, The best of Mr Richardson's is " An Autumn Evening," an exceedingly pleasing picture. Mr Ziele shows four beautiful bits of lake scenery, and Mr T. Ross' single exhibit, " A Drifting Race," a marine subject, though last for mention is not least in point of merit. This concludes the list of outside exhibitors, but we must also refer further to the Nelson artists with the camera.

Taking the screens bap-hazard we come first to Miss Sybil Hunter-Browns set of pictures. Miss Hunter-Brown g'ves ample evidence of a visit to the wonderland of th«* North, and though evidently not an experienced photographer, has secured some interesting pictures, including several Maori portraits. Master Andrew Sclanders, one of the younger members, exhibits some creditable snapshots, and a couple of enlargements from his own negatives, executed by Mr Brusewitz. Mrs Renwick has a considerable number of pictures, including bush scenery in Aniseed Valley, views in the Awatere and Blenheim districts, some interesting subjects from station life on the " Dumgree " sheep station, and views taken of the local Volunteer parade at the Diamond Jubilee proceedings. Mrs (Alice) Brusewitz has a fine collection of subjects. Her portraiture, child studies, cloud studies, and toned bromide enlargements all merit praise. " Daga," a head study," " Cloud Effects " Nelson harbor, and " a Sudden Shower on Wellington Wharf " may be specially mentioned. Mr H. Brusewitz ia one of the largest exhibitors, and has an all-round range of work. Specially fine specimens are the following enlargements : " A Head Study," " The Wood Carver " (a well-known clergyman), " A Bush Soene,"and "Banquet Scene from the Taming of the Shrew." Miss Stoddart shows four views only, of the Rai Valley and Pelorus scenery, but these are extremely good, and next year a much more extensive fist of subjects will be looked for from this lady. Messrs Redworth and Hamilton have one of the most extensive collections in the exhibition, but unfortunately have not named their exhibits. These artists have gone in for an all-round class of work, and on the walls hava some very fine enlargements, prominent among these being sonn really good views taken in the Maitai Valley and studies of breaking waves taken at the Maori Pa. A number of good portraits are included in their list, and a few comic pictures. Two enlargements (from negatives by Mr H. Kidson) of the interior of Table Land (Mount Arthur) Caves attract attention, and " Among the Daises " is a pretty subject, Some cloud studies and interiors about complete a very fine lot of photographs. Mr H V. Gully has not a great many pictures, but they are a splendid selection, and exceedingly artistic. "Reflections," " Making the Entrance," "Cloud Studies," "The Bocka Road,' &c, make a very even lot, and are considered by those competent to judge about the best examples present of the different tones to be obtained by means of platinum. Mr F. G. Gibbi has nome grand mountain and lake scenery shown, including views on the Arthur river, lakes Botoiti and Botoroa, falls on the Karamea, Mt Mackay (St Arnaud range), etc. making up a very interesting collection of fine views. Mrs Blackett has a considerable number of nice snap-shot views, and a leries of half-a-dozen snap-shots of a yacht call for special mention. Mr A. J. Glasgow haa some nice little exhibits, "Haymaking," and flower studies calling for special mention. He has also some very good marine subjects and fine enlargement of English setters. Miss Jo. Pitt does not show much of her work, but what is shown is very promising, We may mention the views taken at the Hutt, Cable Bay, etc., Mr W. J. Penney has three or four enlargemanta of which Croixelles Harbor is very good. Mr C. J. Deck has some charming bits of bush scenery taken near Hokitika and in the Wairoa Gorge. Mr Frank Washbourn has two or three exhibits only, the most prominent being an enlargement from his negative (by Mr Bruzewitz) of Mt Mackay, which forms a very good picture. Mr Thomas Humphries has a small but ohoice selection and his picture of Mt Egmont would be very hard to excel and must be one of the very best views of this mountain ever obtained. The bush and fern etudies are also very good, and a copy of an engraving has the peculiarity that it is hardly distinguishable from a true engraving. Three of the crack photographers of the Club have yet to be mentioned: Messrs Patterson, Fell, and Colonel Pitt. Mr Patterson as a result of his trip to England is able to show a number of pictures of English scenery that make a pleasing variation from the many New Zealand bush scenes. One of the best

of these is " Where the Cuckoo Flowers Grow," and other woodland views from Epping Forest, Kentish cottages, etc., are most picturesque and much admired. Two studies of children are exceedingly good, also a glimpse of the Alps from the Mt Cenis railway. Colonel Pitt is another exhibitor well represented in number and no less prominent by the quality of his work. Among a splendid lot of landscape views must be mentioned, "White Winter at Blenheim," a very beautiful enlargement, 9 wave study from Cable Bay, "Northland Bay," Lake Kanlerl, "Watting,' views of Milford Sound, Buller river, etc., forming ft, splendid collection illustrative of New Zealand scenery. Colonel Pitt has also several enlarged portrait studies, good pictures and faithful portraits. Mr Fell, as usual, has a great variety of subjects. Taking the landscapes first, the series of from the Quartz Kange3, Collingvrood, and the Boulder Lake, in the same locality, are a very fine lot of pictures and very interesting a3 they introduce us to country not often seen. Eight coast scenes of spots extending from Westport to Kekerangu, form a charming and splendidly executed series. r he outdoor studies of children in whitfa "Di"and "Betty" are the central figures are pleasing pictures. Then we have a number of interiors and figure Btudies and some comio subjects all of which attract attention and give no little amusement. " Christmas at Fairfield ' is a splendid picture of the kind. In portraiture this artist has always excelled, and he shows some good specimens of his work in this direction. " Floreat Australia" being most noticeable. Mr Fell has taken the lead of bis club colleagues in experimenting with gtfm and and bi eh ornate df potash, as a medium and sensitising agent, by which means the eff eot of brush-work may be obtaned, but the results have not been equally successful. The work in oils exhibited by the members of the

Bishopdale Sketching Club

could not, under the circumstances, be displayed to advantage, and because of thi3 much creditable work has been overlooked j save when the exhibits have been separately examined. This exhibition having taken the place of the usual annual show, specimens of the work of each of the members found place on the wall, and a considerable proportion of the pictures shown came from beginners. There was not sufficient space to allow the pictures being shown mounted, and the wall, almost from floor to ceiling, was covered with the sketches. The consequence, inevitable, was that there was a great difficulty in securing harmonious arrangements, the too vivid coloring of some of the pictures making the unenviable task of those who undertook the work of arrangement much more difficult. The exhibitors showing not only the most work, but the best, were Miss Nina Jones, Mrs Topliss, Miss C. Sadd and Mr Nicholson. Miss Jones must fairly be given pride of place, her seascapes, to our mind, being the best work among the sketches. Some studies of Kowhai flowers were very faithfully painted, and showed artistic arrangement. Mrs Topliss, in this exhibition, scarcely does herself credit, and we have seen better work from her brush. A landscape from near Stoke, and view of Nelson harbor, are the most pleasing of her exhibits. Miss Sadd excels in her flower studies, but a landscape from near Wakefield is good, and much superior to her other exhibits of this class, Mr Nicholson has a great number of pictures, showing varying degrees of quality, but a sketch with the waves breaking on rocks at Cable Bay, and a view of Nelson from the Wakapuaka road deserve a good deal of commendation, the latter especialiy being a pretty little picture. Miss Barnicoat's flower studies are her best work, but a little landscape from near Richmond may also be mentioned. Mrs W. Oldhain ig the sole exhibitor in watercolors, with three landscapes. Miss Talbot shows several small pictures, the best being a country lane. Miss Tomlinson has several flower studies, and Miss Hubbard a couple of small landscapes. Miss Gooke and Miss Cameron each has one picture only, and like Miss Cowles and Miss Eentoul are included among the beginners. Miss Sunley has a nice panel of red dahlias, and Miss E. Harris has a couple of paintings representing the New Zealand fantail, bush robin, and wild olematis, and, needless to siy, very faithful representations are given. Mr F. V. Knapp brings the list to a close, having several sketches, of which the bet is a sea-shore scene. On the next occasion on which the Club holds an exhibition, is is not likely to labor under the disadvantages which had to be contended against on this occasion.

On Saturday afternoon and evening there were large attendances. The axhibition of lantern slides in the evening was most entertaining. Mrs Benwick had a fine lot of slides of the New Zealand bush scenery, and Colonel Pitt had a few which he had omitted to produce on the previous evening. The greater portion, however, were supplied by Mr Patterson, and these in themselves foraied a good entertainment, views being included of the places visited by Mr Patterson en rouU to England by way of the Suez Canal, a fine collection of English views, a series of Jubilee procession pictures taken by Mr Patterson himself, etc.

At the close Mr Fell, as one of the trustees of the Gallery, thanked the Bisbopdale Sketching Club and various camera clubs for their assistance, and as President of the Camera Club mentioned especially the great amount of work done by Mr Patterson, the secretary.

We would here mention that Mr E. W. Christmas, an artist from Australia, having spent some time in Nelson, in kindly recollection of his vi?it, painted a picture especially for the Suter Art Gallery, and we are sorry it was not hung at the opening of the Gallery, but it will no doubt be on view shortly, as well as a large number of engravings, photographs, etc., that were given by the late Bishop and Mrs Sater, and also the sketches by Hon J. C. Eichmond, which are at present in the Museum.