International studio (41.1910)

The Royal Academy Exhibition, igio

"chivalry" by w. reynolds-stephens

thinking out the meaning of what is before him
and of summing up exactly the results of his ob-
servation have rarely been so triumphantly asserted
as it is this year, and even more rarely has his
hand responded so exactly to his mental purpose.

We must be grateful, too, to Mr. Sims for the
delightful illustrations of his artistic ingenuity
which he has contributed to the exhibition. He
has an extraordinary gift of fancy, of imagination
that is graceful, fantastic, and elusive, and yet well
under control, and he is an executant and a
colourist of exceptional power. His wonderful
portrait of Mrs. Hayes Sadler, and his exquisite
Mischief, are pictures of memorable import-
ance. Most notable, again, is the composition
by Mr. Waterhouse, Spring spreads one green lap
of Flowers, charming in colour, tender in senti-
ment, and essentially personal in expression ; and

; chivalry" (Copyright in the three panels strictly reserved) by w. reynolds-stephens

ability, and they certainly set an example of
devotion to high principles which is stimulating
and helpful. The only cause for regret is that
there should not be more of them ; the modern art
world would be a better and happier place if they
were more often to be met with and if their work
were more frequently in evidence.

However, we can be sincerely thankful that the
Academy is able to present this year pictures so
vitally interesting as Mr. Sargent's amazing trans-
lations of nature, Albanian Olive Gatherers, Vespers,
and Glacier Streams, three achievements which
count as conspicuous successes even in the long
list of masterly performances already standing to
his credit. Not often have we the opportunity
to see work which combines so surely vehement
actuality with the highest type of artistic thought.
The intellectual quality of his art, his power of

4

" chivalry." by w. reynolds-stephens