AUCKLAND SOCIETY OF ARTS EXHIBITION.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVI, Issue 23, 9 June 1906, Page 23

AUCKLAND SOCIETY OF ARTS EXHIBITION.

THIRD NOTICE. Mr. E. W. Payton, one of the vicepresidents of the Society, is represented by several charming oils, maiuly representative of Rotorua Lake and the surrounding country. There is nothing calling for very much remark one way or the other. Mr. Payton has a grasp of his medium and profession as a landscape painter, and he has shown his fa vourite holiday resort under those pleasant atmospheric conditions in which he delights and which always win (and justly) a large coterie of admirers amongst visitors to the exhibition. *• Summer. Rotorua." and ” Fairy Islets” are particularly good examples of Mr. Payton’s work, and. though smaller, “ Ngongotahu, Ohinemutu,” is a little gem which will appeal to all who love that fine mass under the hundred aspects under which one sees it from day to dav at Rotorua.

Mr. Tristram is a prolific exhibitor, •nd some of his work is exceedingly good. It cannot be denied, however, that he is better in his landscape work than in his portrait. The picture of Mr. Gerald Jones is by no means felicitous either in pose or execution. " A Road at Mangere.” ‘‘The Wharf at Gisborne.” "The Railway Wharf. Auckland,” "Pohutukawas." are. on the other hand, quite equal to the best this clever artist has given us in former years, which is certainly saying a good deal.

Amongst exhibitors whose work may be singled out for special notice is that of Mrs. Walrond. She has lost none of her old time skill in the painting of flowers, as witness the picture of Gaillardias, one of the best flower paintings in the exhibition, which, by the way. is particularly strong in this branch of art. But. as was th? case last year, flowers attract Mrs. Walrond less now than land-scape, seen under certain atmospheric conditions, giving softness and subdued values. In this branch of . her profession Mrs. Walrond has made remarkable strides, and some of her ■little pictures, notable "Rainy Weather,” “The Edge of the Lake,” and “An Autumn Evening.” are amongst the most admired in the exhibition.

Amongst the flower painters, Miss Ethel Baker and Miss Blomfield are two very strong exhibitors. Miss Baker is very finely represented, and her pictures of geraniums (125) is a really magnificent bit of colouring, while roses (135), tea roses (161), are most admirable examples.

Miss Bessie Blomfield has made wonderful advances this year, and her fitudy of fruit and flowers entitled ’Autumn” is remarkable alike for the rich beauty of the colouring, the cleverness of the composition, and admirable treatment of the chrysanthemums.

Mr. Clias. Blomfield is represented by one or two paintings which meet with much' popular' favour, the best being, perhaps. "The Fern-clad Banks of the Wanganui,” .though both in this and in another favourite picture there is something of the hardness which has seemed to creep into Mr. Blom field's otherwise excellent work during the last year or

Mr Drummond's‘’Afternoon in Autumn” and "On the: Coas*t," while pleasing enough pictures, cannot compare with eqme of the pictures ne has given us in some previous exhibitions. Both are, however, well worthy of their place in the exhibition, and everyone would have been sorry if he had not been represented. But we. hope Mr. Drummond will be back to his earlier “form,” if one may use that word in connection with art, <next year.' .

Mr. .Morton Masters is again represented by several portraits' of dogs and

horses. No. IGO, "Chummie,” and a re- > markably clever one-hour_ study, “Har- ‘ iie.-sy I‘oiiy,’’ are. perhaps, the best, but the <ollie portrait “Wave” is also good. Misst St. G'laar Tisdale lias, too, some praiseworthy animal studies. “Laddie,” the portrait of a collie, being particularly good.'

Tn the downstairs room a set of coloured characters by Mr. V. Hunt are particularly worthy of notice. Those of Dr. Bakewell, Sir John Campbell. Mr. Louis Steele, and a well-known amateur actor, Mr. Warren, are as good as anything we have yet seen in this branch of art.

Miss Ellen von Mevern contributes some excellent examples of her skill as a portrait painter, also one or two fancy heads or studies, and a nude painting of Eve. With regard to the last, it would probably have been better had the picture not been exhibited, for while paintings of the nude are acknowledgedly within the legitimate field of art, some of the greatest pictures in the world being from nude models, yet it is generally conceded that it is only very perfect representations of "the human form divine" which can be hung in public exhibitions without offending the susceptibilities of a large section of lovers of Art. Miss von Meyern's forte is certainly in portrait painting, and in this very important branch of Art she again shows very decided talent, her various portraits fully maintaining the reputation she has earned for herself at previous exhibitions. No. 190 is full of expression and intelligent work, and all who know the sitter for No. 89 must admit it is a faithful and admirable likeness. As a painter of portraits Miss von Meyern should have a future before her decidedly on the bright side. In her fancy heads she is scarcely so successful. the work giving the impression of being more hurried.