International studio (41.1910)

American Paintings in Germany

vision, but also the solemn inspiration and the A MERICAN PAINTINGS IN GER-

—— AMANV-BYCLEW,S H,ND-

munion with Nature's grandeur.

Thus then, so far, has been Mr. Russell's •* *■ Early in 1909 Mr. Hugo Reisinger

achievement. From the gently romantic charm of collected a number of representative pictures by

his earlier figure subjects lately he has reached an German artists, shipped them to New York, and

objective and detached curiosity in phenomena of exhibited them at the Metropolitan Museum under

light and colour. From the comparatively re- official patronage. In the spring of 1910, this,

stricted subjects of his earlier landscape he has public-spirited connoisseur collected a number of

come to a beautiful expression of Nature's moods representative pictures by American artists, shipped

and immeasurable expanse. Nor is this the sum. them to Germany, and exhibited them in Berlin

In 1904, with The Queen's Arms, Chelsea, he began and Munich under official patronage,
a series of interiors, of which Cafe-Billard is one. Those who are familiar with American painting,

This series was asindividually Russell as anything he although, of course, delighted to see so many good

has done; its best was The Barbels Shop of 1905. pictures well hung in the fine rooms of the Berlin

Then we must record that spirited picture of The Academy, did not find any particular novelty in

Market Place, Coutances, with its glinting sun flecks the exhibition. I was present at the opening, and

and its busy crowd. In addition there are his I confess that one of my interests was in learning

water colours, largely and decoratively brushed in, what the German critics and public thought of the

with a swift comprehension of essentials and a work of the foremost American painters. Some
singular purity of colour; and lastly,
what are, I think, less known, his
admirable and rare etchings. Emi-
nently fitted for this medium, it is
to be hoped he will engage in it more
liberally. C. H. C. B.

The Committee appointed by the
Emperor Nicholas to carry out the
scheme for a monument to the Em-
peror Alexander II. in St. Petersburg
has issued the programme of a compe-
tition, open to artists of all countries,
for the erection of this monument on
a site opposite the Alexander III.
Museum. The monument is to con-
sist of a bronze statue of the Emperor
on a stone pedestal. The Emperor
may be represented either on foot or
on horseback, but the figure of the
monarch is to be 4! metres in height.
On or around the pedestal may be
grouped figures of contemporary per-
sonages, allegorical figures, etc.; and
the entire monument may, if thought
necessary, have an architectural setting.
Five prizes, ranging from 5,000 to
1,000 roubles, are offered. Artists
desiring to compete may obtain full
information, portraits of the Emperor,
plans, etc., on application to the
Comite de l'Erection du Monument a
l'Empereur Alexandre II., Ministere
de l'Interieur, St. Petersbourg. "mother and child" by william morris hunt

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