CANTERBURY SOCIETY OF ARTS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2153, 19 January 1881, Page 3

CANTERBURY SOCIETY OF ARTS.

Eesuming our consideration of the original pictures now being exhibited in Worcester street west, wo may next notice Mr J. Peel’s two contribntions, “ A Kainy Sky, Kawhaka,” and “ Moonlight.” The first of these ia a good effective picture, except that Mr Peel has failed in the running stream ; the second is not so happy. Mrs H. Campbell exhibits two female heads—prettily painted bat weak in the flesh tints—and a good study of some petunias. Mrs Beetham has three flower pieces. Mr T. Plmsly has four pictures, one of them being a view of Oxford Terraco and Montreal street bridge. It ia not over harshly criticising Mr Elmsly’s work to say that he has yet much to learn. His work is honest, and in-so-far is pleasant to look at, but his knowledge of coloring and method might easily he improved. Mr W. H. Pratt being, we believe, a beginner, need not be harshly treated. Mr E. Snow exhibits one picture, apparently pleasing, bat it is hang too high to examine properly. Mrs Kohn shows five original works, all of high quality. The first is a portrait of a gentleman, evidently an excellent likeness : next comes a study of roses, a very clever piece, and then follows a picture entitled “Alone.” Here a nude figure is seen seated in a despondent attitude on a pinnacle of rock, while all around there is a glare of sky and sea. The conception of this work is fine, the painting solid, and the light excellently managed. The two other original works of Mrs Kohn are “ A View near the Waterworks, Dunedin,” and a well worked out study of “ Shulls and Seaweed.” Three out of the four contributions of Mr W. B. Mountfort consist of architectural drawings, two of these being connected with the Cathedral and the Provincial Government Buildings. Four well painted miniatures in frame compose this gentleman’s remaining exhibit. Mr K. Mainwaring shows “ A View of the Plains and the Peninsula from the Upper Waimakariri,” ar.d a *• Distant View of Napier,” the latter rather effective. Mr J. G. Maddison exhibits an elevation of a proposed City Hotel. The elevation itself is excellent, but wo cannot congratulate Mr Maddison on the figures or the horse introduced. The latter, in particular, is a very weak-kneed specimen of the equine specie-', and by no means adds to the effect of the drawing. Mr K. heetham’s “ View of Apia Harbour” is skilfully managed and painted. His other picture, entitled in the catalogue “Tims.ru Breakwater,” is not so successful. Mrs Haslam shows a study of stones, entitled “ Kow Taw. Cornwall,” and a view of “Avon Mill, Eugby.” Mr E. Clark’s two pictures cannot well be praised : wo trust ho will improve before again exhibiting, Ur E Mitchell has two sea jiicces and a view of uinner, nil very erndo, the latter particularly so._ Mr T. Cano has a style of his own, bis coloring being artificial and his shadows heavy. It is a pity, because he evidently has an excellent eye for color. The best of his four ia “ A View of Mount Somers.” The drawing in his “ Dieppe Cathedral ” appears out of perspective. With Mr E. A. Gifforu’s three pictures wo will conclude our remarks on the original works, and pass on to the loan collection. His first is entitled “LaGrassii. Gnlf of and his »econd, “Ben Oban Station, Mackenzie Country.” The foreground and middle distance of the latter is a wonderfully painstaking and

interesting piece of work, all the station minutiae being given with great fidelity ; but the picture fails in the distance, the harshness of which spoils an otherwise excellent production. Mr Gifford’s other picture, “ Sunrise, Milford Sound,” is the best of the three, and shows this artist to possess most sterling qualities. The pictures in the loan collection number forty-one, and include copies by exhibitors, such pictures by the regulations of the society not being allowed to be shown in the exhibition proper. Prominent in this collection hang four large pictures by H. Mclachlan, lent by Mr H. A. Scott. They are—” Firs and Ferns,” “ The Isle [of Skye,” “ Mallerstang, Westmoreland,” and “A Dead City of the Zuyder Zee.” All four are boldly and effectively painted, and, without being particularly original, are fine works of art. “ A Dead City of the Zuyder Zee ” is evidently a misnomer, the place appearing rather lively than otherwise. “ Christchurch in 1852,” by J. Peele, lent by Mr Wynn Williams, is historically, rather than artistically, interesting. Mr G. G. Stead lends the following very interesting works Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo,” by J. Gully ; “ A Stag Hound’s Head,” by Earle; “ St. Brelade Bay. Jersey,” by J. Dauby ; “ Tewkesbury,” by J'. Callow; and last, but by no means least, “On the Thames,” by Do Wint, a perfect gem in the artist’s best style. Mrs Kohn shows two copies, both most excellent ones. The first is after Webb, and is called "Checkmate.” The second is after Bonquereau and represents two babies asleep. This is a perfect little picture, the soft light streaming into the room, the graceful forms of the sleeping children, and all the accessories being given with great skill. Mr A. B. Cambridge shows two striking heads, after Rembrandt. “ Nydia and lone,” by Jervis Barrett, lent by S. Manning, is a charming work, although the artist’s conception of the blind girl is hardly that generally entertained. Mr Manning also loans two exquisitely painted flower pieces, by Longpre. Captain Hatton sends two capital photographs. Mr H. P. Lance lends a fresh sea piece, by Bentley, called “ Calais Harbor,” and a fine study. “At the Carnival,” by Guido Bach. But the pick of the loan exhibition is"'l he Alchemist,” by Jan Steen, lent by Mr H. Gray. It is not often we have the chance of seeing such a picture in Christchurch, and we cannot help congratulating Mr Gray on being the possessor of a _ work of such sterling merit. The alchemist, a young man, is seen looking np aslant at a bottle full of a coloured mixture, which he holds at arm’s length. Behind, to the left, is another figure. The paraphernalia, so necessary in days of old in an alchemist’s laboratory, are given with inimitable skill. Jndge Johnston lends “ A Sketch on Cornice Road,” by Harper, and a large picture of “Lake Tekapo” by Barrand. Many of the remaining pictures in the loan collection are well worth seeing, but call for no special comment. In conclusion, wo cannot help congratulating the Art Society on the success of this their first exhibition. By the number and merit of the original works produced is seen the great strides made in the study of the fine arts in Christchurch of late years. The existence of the society will tend further to foster this material progress, and the present exhibition will serve as a landmark in the history of the fine arts in this city. It is to be trusted that the pnblic will show their interest by properly supporting the movement Colonial life is not so rest) «tic that wo can afford to look coldly on endeavors to raise the mind out of the hnm-drnm of every day life. The aims of the society are most landable. and deserve the sympathy of the public, and the latter may very possibly gain more than they give by acting as we suggest. The exhibition will be open every day for some time to come between the hours of ten a m. and six p.m., andtbe price of admission will be one shilling