SOCIETY OF ARTS' EXHIBITION.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2411, 27 December 1881, Page 3

SOCIETY OF ARTS' EXHIBITION.

Second Notice. Mr R. W. Fereday, besides possessing an intimate knowledge of the Lepidoptera of New Zealand, shows that he knows how to pourtray them by sending a small but beautifully painted study of certain specimens. This gentleman also sends two landscapes. Mr W. M. Gibb, who has lately been studying in Melbourne, sends fifteen exhibits, of which eight are figure pieoes and four or five studies in blaok and white. There are many artistic qualities about Mr W. M. Gibb's work, and he evidently has a sound knowledge of his art, but his ohoioe of subjeots is not, in the main, happy. And more particularly is this the case with regard to his views of Melbourne in blaok and white, whioh certainly do not give us the most pleasing points of view in that city. Mr W. M. Gibb's strong point lies in portrait painting, and he sends two excellent likenesses of old gentlemen. There is also in the loan collection a fine oopy by this artist oi one of Sir Joshua Reynolds' oelebrated pictures. Mr Soott sends two architectural designs and Mr Herbert one. Mr R. Beethsm has five oils, all of them pleasing pictures. His "West Port, Buller River," is particularly sunny, and some of his sea pieoes are well and solidly painted. His " Coooa-nut trees, Fiji," gave an excellent idea of the scenery in the youngest of England's colonies. Mr Beauchamp gives us three large Tasmanian views. The scenery of that island is, as well known, celebrated for beauty, and Mr Beauohamp's subject matter is all that oould be desired. His painting of it is good, but rather too oold. Mr N. Wade sends three pictures, of which an oil of Lake Erewhon is the best. Mr Bloomfield has two oil paintings of bush scenery in the North Island, and one of a storm on Lake Roto-iti. One of his bush scenes is deoidedly effective. Mr R. Snow sends two views from Governor's Bay, and Mr Brock two dogs' heads and a view on the West Coast. Mr Madden has two large paintings, one entitled " Huon Belle, Tasmania," and the other " Plains and Port Hills from Amberley." These are both striking piotures, but with regard to the latter it is a question whether the coloring is not somewhat too gaudy. Mrs Kohn, whose pictures were so muoh admired at the last exhibition, is only represented by a single work, entitled " Head of a Veteran." It is a thoroughly artistic piece of work, as might be expected, but we trust that on the next occasion we may have more from the brush of this lady. Mr Mainwaring sends a somewhat gloomy rendering of Latimer equare, Christohurch. Miss Wilkins shows on ornamental plate. Mr A. H. Pratt a-vies-of Lake Forsyth, Mr Elmsly has a violent painting of Shag Rock by Moonlight. Mrs Nioholls sends four oil paintings, of whioh the largest is the best. It is a view of the Waimakariri Valley, and although a little scratchy in parts, shows much spirited painting. Her other piotures pourtray a Digger's Hut by Moonlight, a view on the Teremakau, and a Waterfall. The loan collection comprises somo very valuable works, particularly in the water oolor line. Two of Birket Foster's show the charms of English country scenery to perfection. Professor Cook lends a Oattermole, and Mr Montgomery a set by Smirke. A very effeotivo work is one by Mr P. H. Miller, lent by hi» brother, Mr J. Miller, of this city. This picture represents a young girl sitting near a window, dressed out for a, fete. It was lately exhibited in the Royal Aosdemy, and is sure

to be much admired by visitors to the Art Society's Exhibition. Mr Gully is represented by a couple of pictures in his wellknown style. Mr Stead lends two charming little works by Chevalier. One is of a tiger bunt in India, and the other—a brilliant little affair —of a procession of boats conveying an Indian prinoe. Both are from sketches by the artist when he was accompanying the Duke of Edinburgh in the Galatea days. Mr Oowli. shaw, too, sends a Ghevalier, a view of Akaroa, and Dr. Yon Haast another, namely, a view of the Haast River. But perhaps the gem of the loan collection is a picture of a rainy day in the mountains, by G. L. Hall. A careful study of this remarkable water color will well repay the trouble. The manner in which the hill peak is seen through the storm shows to perfection the great resources of the medium used. Nothing can be more transparent and wilder than the general effeot. Mr E. C. J. Stevens lends some excellent photographs of the old masters. "Paestum," by Von Guerard, an artist who superintends the Art School at Melbourne, is a very pleasing picture. There are two works from the versatile pencil of Oollingwood Smith, the " Kainy Day " being a charming pourtrayal of what must indeed have been a very moist piece of weather. There are two heads by Sir Peter Lely, one of them being that of Nell Gwynne. These works have been much knocked about, and are there Tore not seen to advantage. Captain Temple Bhows a remarkable picture entitled the "Adoration of the Magi," the name of the artist not being known. Mr Miller, besides the pioture by his brother, exhibits an excellent fruit pieoe by Hughes. There is also one of Lance's inimitable still life pictures. Other works are there too which will deoidedly repay inspection, so that it will be seen that the loan collection is well up to the mark.

In conclusion we cannot refrain from again congratulating the Society on the success of their seoond venture. The study of art in the oolonies is surrounded by many difficulties, and it is satisfactory to note that there are so many people who devote themselves to its cultivation. With the opening of the new Art Sohool a further improvement in this respect may be looked for. This sohool has been much wanted, for any one with artistic tastes has hnd hitherto to work more or less in the dark if he has wished to gain a sound and thorough knowledge of the principles of art. All this will now luckily be changed, and we may safely look forward to great strides being made in the direotion of art culture in this province. This will aot most favorably on the prospeots of future art society exhibitions. That the society has progressed so far as it has in a single year tells well for the vitality of the movement. As a complement to the Art Sohool, or rather as a medium through which some of the results of the Art School may be placed before the public, the society will shortly enter upon a new career of usefulness.