ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2585, 6 October 1915, Page 7

ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

NOTES BY "THE LAY FIGURE -

THE OILS (CONTINUED). Mr. Bowring and Mr, Gore, Mr.. W. A. Bowi-ins: contiiljutea u fine piece of pictorial journalism, "The llouio Lomins from Galiipoli" (IM); an intercstinK portrait, "J3nf(adicr-Gi;iieral Kobin, C.8., 0.11.0." (192); ami two very charming landscape bits—"Afternoon, Heretaun»a" (171), and "Sunset Near Napier" (212). We naturally look to the war in which New Zcalanders are playing so prominent and uoblo a part, to inspire our artists with" subjects for pictures which shall preserve tlio proud, if sorrow-laden, memories of the great struggle. Sir. Bowriiig is the first to answer this appeal. i'rom a strictly artistic point of view—or, perhaps, the point of view of "art l'or art's sake/' his cleverly composed and effective picture of the landing of the first batch ot wounded ami invalid New Zealanders may leave something to be desired; it is so sjiarp and hard, so lacking in atmosphere. But when it is regarded as a pictorial memento of a Ercat, if-pathetic, event in our history, captious criticism should be silenced. The picture, it is 'true, is pictorial journalism, but it serves its purpose—a most laudable purpose—and it should be, as it will be, commended as a very successful composition, to tho mere planning and actual craftsmanship of which much thought and painstaking industry. have clearlv been devoted. : ■ • / Mr. Bowriug's portrait of BrigadierGeneral Eobin is a really excellent likeness. Mr. Bowring's methods of portraiture are not those of Mr. Ballaniiyne, and comparison of the two portraits these gentlemen contribute to tho exhibition would not bo fair to either artist. The gold 'lace, and bright decorations of the General's uniform have materially added to' the effectiveness of the picture. In the little Heretaunga study (171), Mr. Bowring has no doubt painted to please himself. ■ Hero he shows tr.uo artistio feeling, and a delightful sense of colour. Work of this kind will be always welcome from this artist.

Mr. H. M. Gore, President of the Society, sends a medium-sized On the Golf LiSks" (228), and a number of smaller canvases. All are replete with that delicacy of colour and reserve in treatment which is associated with Mr. Gore's work. It is pleasant, attractive work-j-charming little "drawing-room -mctures" are the smaller canvases—but one seeks in vain for any evidence.of breadth, frankness, and courage. Jlr. Gore is where lie was five or six years ago. He neither progresses nor recedes. He has built up his own convention and remains faithful to it. As'the chief apostle of "Prettiness," he is now firmly established. But admirers of his earlier work had hoped for belter things. Three Lady Artists. It is good to see Mrs. Tripe's wellknown gift for graceful and strong figure work so agreeably exemplified as it is in this year' 6 exhibition. Mrs. Tripe has often dono good work in portraiture and figure work, but she has never shown anything better than her study of a mother and babe, "Tho Secret"' (175), a picture painted with so sensitive, uervously delicate,.a touch, so exoellcnt alike in its modelling and flesh tints, and instinct throughout with a charm difficult of exact definition, but nono the less insistently pervading the whole composition. Here is no : "flashy" slickness,- no cheap theatrical effects;, but an ' embodiment of sober, almost austere, pictorial Mrs. Tripe also contributes a' dignified and graceful nude study, '"The Model's Re£t" (242), in wliicli a firelight effect is very cleverly rendered, and the iirm painting of the flesh is at once noticeable; also "Purple, and C-iold (145), my notes on which have unfortunately . gone astray. Miss Flora Scales maintains her reputa- 1 tioii as the best of our local animal painters. Her two studies of horses. 3 d Horso" (152) and "Boxer" (174) will be much admired. Each is worthy of ia larger background,' but both- are charming little studies. Miss Scales also contributes two little land scape studies,. "The Oaks, Taita" (154), and ' Poplars, .Nelson. 1 " In each she displays skilful treatment of light and tihade. n The contributions of a newcomer, Miss X). J.urner,/caII for special mention. Miss turner, who has,' I' believe, studied in London and Paris, has a special gift for head and figure studies. Her best contribution is I'The Puritan" (170), a grave, ascetic female . face, in expression and flesh painting a long way above tho averag?' i. ?rV E OTt ia u" (155), a strongly painted Eastern face, curiously repellant, almost sinister in expression; and an , Algerian Woman" (22!/), are also deserving of attention. Hiss Turner also contributes studies of "The Grand Junction Canal (213)— a difficult colour problem cleverly handled—and an interesting but Jess, satisfactory scene on the Thames (-08). She is a decided acquisition to the ■ranks of the artists members of the Academy. ■ Mr. G. N, Howorth. . Mr. C. N. Howorth is not represented this year by any largo or specially not-, able canvas, but lie contributes several njedium-sizad pictures, mostly the result ot his artistic wanderings in Europe a couple of yeare ago. ' His "Bend of the Conway Elver' (166) and other studies in the picturesque Bettwyscoed district, so long and much. beloved of English artiste, from David Cox's time to the present day, are well drawn, pleasantly coloured compositions. but 1 would that Mr. Howorth would just for onco paint to please himself as an artist! and think less of his special and faithful public, a public which looks first and all the time ior mere prettiness. To my mind there is more true artistic feeling in tho little Son 1 ?!! Old Cottage,-Korfcli Wales" (-_0) than ill all the larger and probably nil' more popular compositions. Some Aucklanders, A special word of praise is. due to the excellent work exhibited by Messrs. W. E, Johnson and I<\ M'Cracken, both, I believe, young Auckland artists. Mr! j V, 90 ,?.! figure "By the Wint • 150^ 1S I,ea i ly ' all admirable study. I misjioubt'Somehow tho drawing of the face, but tho white drapery is beaufcifully painted. Mr. Johnson also sends a ii« S smaH nude, "Firelight Study" (159), which was; greatly admired by local artiste and visitors generally on the openian; day. Other contributions by the same artist are: "The Wek Coast, Auckland (1 bt), lho Shairl" (168), ami attractive little flower study. Chrysanthemums" (209). Mr. M'Cracken's best contributions—all are interesting—are: "Tho Paislev Shawl" (216), and "The Picture Book" (223), both of which display sound modelling and well-balanced colour. "The Picture Book" is a particularly successfUt'eirort. And Some Others. Mr. E. Proctor's two Sorrento studies hardly do him credit. The "Kose Terrace, Soi'rento" (215 a), is altogether too flamboyant. The fact is that Mr. Proctoiv has worked out his Italian studies, and should now give his old sketch-book a long seclusion. The ex-Christchurch artist can surely find, in the splendid sunlight of Auckland, where ho now resides, inspiration for pictures which, while satisfying his love, for strong colour, would appeal moro directly to New Zealanders. Our old friend, Mr. H. Bastings, sends a West Coast scene, "Lake Waihapu" (160)— not very satisfactory, being weak in drawing and rather muddy, in colour. Mr. E. M. Casey's marine studios, including "The Sinking of the Arabic"! are interesting, but suffer, somo of them at least, from a distressing hardness. Some pleasing flower studies are contributed by Mrs.-Paul, and Mr. W. H. Carter, jun., ever original and daring both in choice of subject and colour schemes, sends some Tiirneresque canvases, which, although invested with a certain weirdness, certainly prove this industrious young artist to .bo possessed of more than ordinary gifts of imagination. "The Red Star" is, I think, Mr. Carter's best contribution this year. Mr. J. M. Dickson's ambitious figure study, "In the Foc'sle" (139), displays courage in its design and a certain crude vigour in the handling. But the drawing is lamentably faulty, and the picture should not have been hung;

The remaining picures do not appear to be of sufficient quality or interest to merit dotailed commcnt.

fA third and conci-urling nrticlo will Ideal with th# waier-colouwO