ART EXHIBITION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3435, 15 April 1879, Page 3

ART EXHIBITION.

Attention has already been called in these columns to the splendid collection of pictures which Mr P. C. Reynolds, of Melbourne, is now showing in premises in the Triangle, next to Messrs Wallace and Co.. chemists. Mr Eeynolds' exhibition is a fleeting one, and avowedly for the purposes of trade, but it is for theso very reasons, amongst othors, that the public of this city, and the visitors thereto, may bo urged to pay a visit to tho premises in question. Tho opportunity for looking over so large a collection of works of art is rare with us, and is likely to be so for many years to coino, and there is in this case tho incentive that any specially admired subject may bo secured at a reasonable price. Of tho collection as a whole, it may fairly bo stated that it is thoroughly good, even as compared with similar collections in tho Old Country, and it is so comprehensive as to afford gratification for all ta«tcs. To oil paintings and water colour drawings, Mr Reynolds does not profess to pay special attention. It would soarcoly answer his purposes to do so, since tho number of those who can afford to purchase original paintings of a high class must of necessity bo limited. There are, nevertheless, a few good examples in tho collection, which will repay inspection; but, better than these, aro tho fac similes of tho best known works of great masters. We have now reached a stago in the art of colour printing, when it is possible to multiply a great picture indefinitely, and with such fidelity that good judgos have not unfrequently been puzzled to decido upon the particular class of work to which a given specimen might belong. At that distance at which a picture is seen to advantage, a first-class oleograph or chromo-lithograph is to all intents and purposes as enjoyable as would bo tho infinitely more costly original, and on a nearer approach even, tho vory brush mark of the artist is apparently seen, with the heaping on of colours for high lights and sharp touches. The oleographs in Mr Hoynold's collection — and there are an immense number of them — aro for tho most part tho productions of the Messrs Preng, of Boston, who havo acquired a world wido reputation for the excellence and comparatively small price of the pictures issued by them. We cannot refrain from specially mentioning tho fruit and ilowor studies, which are charmingly natural, and the overturned baskets of fruit may be instanced ns desirable for their clear and bright colouring, and for their faithfulness of delineation. Among tho chromo-lithographs aro some particularly fine landscapes, of not a few of which we are enabled to state, from a personal knowledge of the original paintings, that they aro absolute fac similes in every particular, not the least noteworthy feature being the fidelity with which aerial effects have been reproduced. Some of thorn aro vory rich in colour, too, as in Cooper's pastoral studies ; and tho minute delicacy of Birket Foster, his wealth of foliage, and his inevitable little bit of water, is oxquisitely exemplified. Those to whom vivid and forcible colouring is a special charm, may turn lo tho aquagraphs for a complete gratification of their tastes. In these aquagraphs, an cngraviag is overlaid with hand work, oil colours being used, and moro or loss substantially according to tho subject. In our judgment, this style of picture is not nearly so coininendablo as thoso previously referred to. In some cases, an aquagraph is a good engraving doliborately spoiled, and in none of them must a too close /View be indulged in, for if the lines of tho engraving aro at all discernible, it is utterly impossible to rid one's self of the fact that a " coloured print" is being looked at. There are, nevertheless, some of theso aquagraphs which may bo of value for tho adornment of the walls of lofty rooms, thoso of them in which tho colouring is moro pronounced, as in tho subjects aftor Millais, wliobo treatment of draperies is rich in the extreme. Whether tho faces depicted by this artist aro at all loveablo, or whether many of his subjects aro in thomselves high inspirations, may bo left for the decision of intending purchasers. An aquagraph example of Holman Hunt's " Light of the World," struck us as being far bettor than many others, as also did Eosa Bonhcur's " Horso Fair." These subjects, however, were under glass, a greater degreo of softness being thereby imparted. Tho engravings aro in themselves an immense collection, numbering, wo beliovo, some thousands of subjects, and to them wo unhesitatingly award the place of honour. Amongst them aro two magnificent examples of the masculine grandeur with which Miss Thompson has astonished art circles, the "801l Call," and "Quatre Bras," the latter being a proof from tho unfinished plato, but affording abundant evidence of the skilful grouping and of the immense amount of study which characterises the original. Theso aro pictures which seem ever new, in which, no matter how well ono may know them, some new points of detail seems to bo constantly discovered. Plates such as these ehould bo largely subscribed for. Two of tho finest subjects amongst tho engravings, and forming a grand pair, aro Goodafl's 11 Obedient unto the Law," and " Patient in Tribulation." In Dubufo's " Widow's Mite " there is a fine Bubject finely treated, with rare effects of light and shade. In tho domestic subjects are many goms, such as "Family Cares," by 0. Barnes, and Storoy's " Little Swansdown," both charmingly natural, and in subjects such as " Worn Out," there is an intense amount of pathos. There are highly amusing subjects, " Too Late," being a good example; there are all. tho leading animal studies of Landsoer, and thoso also of Itosa Bonheur, and F. Herring ; there are the draperies of Millais, with every possible effect of light and shadow, "Stella" and "Vanessa" being perhaps as good a pair as any, and there are also a capital lot of pictures by French avtists, easily recognisable by their general piquanoy or quaintness, and in numerous instances by a delicacy of treatment which affords the speotator infinite pleasure. The photographs form another fine group, headed in point of interest by the series of large pictures, after Grutzner, illustrating the life of Sir John Falstaff. To the last of the series, pointed attention

may well be called. Therein one sees how the humourous old rogue at length experiences a rebuff at the hands of his whileom princely companion, and experiences a feeling of f i iendly pity for the rascal. In the way of photographic copies of oil paintings, nothing finer than this series could be desired—Landscape, grand old buildings, famous statuary, and famous pictures, are all well-represented, and in one section of the photographic collection, the aid of colour has b°en culled in. The coloured photographs are decidedly more successful than the aquagraphs, and prominent amongst them are J. K. Thomson's telling subjects, "Tho first Christmas Morn," and "The first Easter Dawn." There are also a very large number of specimens of photographic reproduction of drawings, and amongst these the studies of heads by Miles, are well worth looking over. The sporting pictures form a separate item ; they are numerous and good of their kind. Finally, it may be mentioned that Mr Reynolds' collection finds i oom for an abundant supply of smaller pictures, such even as would adorn a scrap album, and that in this smaller world of art all the various styles, both of subject and execution, are to bo found.