Studio: international art (42.1908)

Studio- Talk

"PRINCE CHARLES STUART RIDING THROUGH GLASGOW" : ONE OF A SERIES OF DECORATIVE PAINTINGS
FOR THE GROSVENOR RESTAURANT, GLASGOW, BY ANDREW LAW AND W. W. ANDERSON

conspicuously complete it must be remembered Champs de Mars, is cleverly impressionist and
that time was denied in which to reach to that high full of subtle colour harmonies.

standard the artist had set. In the case of any--

other painter it would have counted much to have Where every picture is a study, claiming minute

been early associated with a school of painting attention, it is invidious to particularise, but it is

that within a generation has earned world-wide difficult to get away from Audrey and her Goals,

fame; in Melville's case his inimitable work in turbulent and forceful, precursor of a school;

water-colour is the standard of comparison. In Torre Pachecos, eloquent of atmospheric and archi-

the series of panels designated Christmas Carols tectural Spain; Tobbit's Mill, expressive of the

there is the pregnant pathos of interrupted labour, rare beauties of a Surrey landscape ; The Snake

and the promise of things great. To set up a Charmer, convincing epitome of Arabian life,

model in the open by moonlight to obtain a new character, custom and architecture; Tnterior of a

delicacy and refinement in shades of purple, grey, Barge; The Music Boat; and Henley Regatta by

and pale blue, and the tempera-like quality in the Night; to name these is like counting but a few

remarkable panel And there was no room for them pearls at random on a string where all are of

at the Inn, was much more original and practical rare quality and charm. If regret at the irrepar-

than Leonardi da Vinci's elaborate suggestion for able loss to art of such an artist can be mitigated,

obtaining a night effect. In some of the later por- it will surely be in the knowledge that he has left

traits, notably Opal and Grey, that of Mrs. Arthur so many unequalled achievements behind.

Melville, and The Portrait of a Lady, there is rare -

decorative quality and force of expression. The " The Grosvenor" Restaurant, which boasts
whole treatment of the first might suggest the some fine sculptured work by Hodge, is now more
influence of Whistler, but while Melville had notable by reason of a remarkable scheme of
the highest admiration for the Chelsea master's decoration just completed by Andrew Law and
work, he had penetrated all the secrets and mastered W. W. Anderson. The opportunity was a great
all the charms of delicate colour harmonies before one—a dome of ample proportions, divided by pro-
becoming acquainted with his style and method, minent ribs into eight panels, offering an aggregate
The Portrait of a Lady, first exhibited at the surface of seventy square yards, well lighted by

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