Studio: international art (12.1898)

Studio- Talk

chief of which arc the Shelling Peas, by Sir John
Millais, and Frank Holl's superb half-length of
Lord Spencer. _

The winter exhibition of the Royal Society of
British Artists consists entirely of the work of
members, and is, possibly on that account, rather
more interesting than usual. It includes a few
really remarkable things, of which the chief is cer-
tainly the large tempera cartoon executed by Sir
Edward Burnc-Jones in 1892 for the mosaic in the
Church of St. Paul in Rome. It is a characteristic
example of his design treated in low tones of colour
and with great richness of detail. Mr. Borough
Johnson's Eve's First View ofHerself"is extremely
refined and delicate, and is distinctly pleasant in
colour; and Mr. Cayley Robinson's Return of
Spring is agreeable in motive and is treated with
no little skill. One of the best modern life studies is
Mr. O. Eckhardt's water-colour, Roses, Roses, all the
Way, and to the same class belong clever things
by Mr S. H. Sime, Mr. R. Ponsonby Staples, and
Mr. Manuel. Landscapes of importance are not
numerous, but Mr. G. C. Haite's Between the
Lights, Mr. Lee Hankey's water-colours, A Road
by the Sea and A Clover Field, and Mr. A. Meade's
Morn, are in various ways quite excellent. A
curious study of character, by Mr. H. M. Livens,
called A Lesson in Anatomy, is also worth notice.

The annual exhibition of the Royal College of
Art Vacation Sketching Club was opened on
October 22, in a room in the Western Galleries of
the South Kensington Museum. It is always an
interesting display ; for, by reason of most of the
work being done away from the influence of
masters, and, indeed, being to a considerable
extent in methods which do not form part of the
regular course of instruction at the College, one
expects and generally finds a much greater exposi-
tion of individuality than is usual in exhibitions of
this kind. But on the present occasion it happens
that the highest average of excellence is found in
the etchings, where it is undoubtedly due to
valuable and intelligent instruction. Miss Con-
stance M. Pott has an aquatint of The Old Chain
Pier, Brighton, as well as a more formal view of
Lincoln's Inn Fields, of quite unusual merit. A
detail often neglected, but in the present case so
satisfactory as to deserve special mention, is the
excellent engraving (with the burin) of the title
and coat of arms below the last-mentioned subject.
Mr, A. Hugh Fisher has also done some charming
work ; his Jubilee Procession Passing St. Clement
188

Danes ought to be extremely popular. Mr.
Morgan's plates are distinguishable for good com-
position and the exercise of that severe virtue,
reticence; and Miss Gertrude Hayes exhibits a
careful and intelligent study of an Old Man's
Head.

In the various classes of painting there is, per-
haps, more definitely good work shown than has
been the case for several years. It is a little diffi-
cult to make comparisons among that of the
various exhibitors, working as they do from points
of view so widely varying. As a collection of
studies, the set by Mr. Rook is perhaps the most
satisfactory; they are carefully and simply thought
out, unusually clear and brilliant in colour, and
while the choice of a problem has never been
sacrificed to mere picture-making, the result is
often as good as if the latter quality had been the
first essential. In this category also may be
placed the sets shown by Messrs. Appleyard and
Vokes. Mr. Vokes exhibits also a more finished
work of considerable merit. Two remarkable
pictures are shown by Mr. D. Snowdon, in which
very difficult passages of evening light are treated
in an almost masterly manner. Mr. Morgan and
Mr. J. Wallis also have grappled with similar subjects
with success.

Among other work of merit may be instanced
an excellent study of foliage by Mr. H. Watson ;
and two strong and cleanly worked figure-subjects
in water-colours by Mr. Lenfestey. These should
certainly be seen later at more public exhibitions.
Mr. H. P. Clifford shows a distinct advance on his
earlier work, and is now attaining a mastery of
water-colours which should carry him far. Mr.
Ogden, choosing a simple and straightforward
method of work, has a set of studies which are
very pleasing. We lack space to more than
mention other good work shown by Messrs.
Onions, Collister, A. Hugh Fisher, and others ;
one sketch by the former student is very dainty.
In Section B (for elementary students), Miss Noble
has a series of studies of birds which are astonish-
ingly good ; in Section C (for former students of
the College), Miss Agnes Jones exhibits some very
pleasant water-colours ; and in the class for por-
traits Miss Blakeney has two clever pastels. But
of all the work in the exhibition the most remark-
able is contributed by Mr. Shackleton. He sends
a long upright panel, in an effective technique of
his own which it is difficult to identify. In com-
position, in colour, and in imaginative power it is