EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2075, 18 October 1880, Page 3

EXHIBITION OF PAINTINGS.

An exhibition of valuable oil paintings and water-colours was opened on Saturday in the rooms of Messrs Ford and Newton, Cashel street. The pictures, which comprise works from the studios of many eminent modern artists, was collected by a competent judge of the fine arts in London, and consigned to Mr W. Nicholls. Among the collection, which numbers nearly 200, all in richly-gilt frames, may be mentioned examples by the following masters :—T. S. Cooper, B. A., Charles Hunt, T. B. Miles, J. F. Herring, E. Hayer, A. Pollentine, Sheldon Williams, E. Bale, and many others. The majority of the pictures are hung on the walls of the large room upstairs in which the Oriental Exhibition was held some months since, and some are ranged on a stand down the centre, care having been taken in the grouping and general arrangement of effects. The visitor, on entering this art gallery, is at once struck by the fact that there is something there to attract him, many degrees above mediocrity, many of the works being excellent and incomparably superior to any collection of paintings, as such, heretofore publicly exhibited in this city. One of the grandest specimens is by G-. W. Mote—- “ Evening at Ooneyhurst Hill, Surrey,” being a work of rare talent. It is truthfully described in the catalogue as a faithful representation of English landscape, equal to the work of the great landscape painter, W. Linnel. Mr Mote is an exhibitor at most of the exhibitions at Home, and his works have been highly commended. A painting marked “ Groomshall Hall (Surrey),” by Hulke, is of a kindreil character, and would by many be preferred. It is ■ a quiet evening, with beautiful foliage in the foreground, tinted by the golden light of the setting sun, which appears to dance upon the leaves, and throw a genial tint over the whole picture, so admirably has the artist reproduced the effects of nature. There are also a number of pastoral studies well worthy of inspection, and some fancy sketches equally attractive. Among the latter may be mentioned a perfect gem of its class, from the pencil of Mr W. Hunt, “ Won at a Baffle,” representing an old man feeding a colt, which he has “ won at a raffle,” and which he is engaged in domesticating, A small dog sits on the colt’s back, and a little boy looks on at the performance, an amused spectator. This work is distinguished by a masterly treatment of the detail, and a powerful conception of the humorous—the expression on the faces of the old man and boy being in particular wonderfully true to life. Akin to this painting are some humorous studies by O. Hunt, which also claim special attention from the visitor. There is also a subject by the well-known artist Turner, and several scenes from Tenice by different masters. The exhibition will well repay a visit, and as the price of admission is nominal, advantage should be taken of this opportunity by all lovers of art. It is stated that many of the pictures are for sale at moderate prices.