DOI issue:
No. 201 (December, 1909)
DOI article:Studio-talk
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.20968#0258
Studio-Talk
it is well within the mark to say that this show has
been the best and most representative in all the
Society's series. Prominent on an end wall in one
of the large rooms there was a remarkable decorative
study by the President, Mr. John Hassall, R.I.
The unusual colour and treatment would single it
out in any exhibition ; at the same time the placing
of it would exercise the minds of any committee.
A soft, fleshy red suffuses the whole picture, except
where the brilliant and cleverly painted plumage of
the king of beautiful birds introduces a note of
contiast, and redeems the picture from being
monochromatic. Hassall is distinctly imaginative.
It is always interesting to follow bis idea. The
Peacock, encouraged in the conceit that it is the
most beautiful of birds, renders voluntary Homage
to the Woman, and the painter makes this act of
self-abnegation the more noteworthy by draping
the Woman in all simplicity, and representing the
bird faultlessly in all the splendour of its glorious
plumage. _
rare atmospheric effects ; and Mr. Montague Smyth
(a new member) in Moonlight, A Devonshire Lane,
and A Chinese Harbour, showed a vigour and
versatility that gives promise of added strength to
the Society. _
Mr. Taylor Brown loves to linger over the
Ayrshire landscape. His Ayrshire By-way is one
of those typical renderings of his native country
with which he has familiarised Glasgow art lovers,
but his East Lothian Hamlet, with its rich
contrasts of red and green, supplied that interest
and variety sometimes lacking in the work of
an artist whose habitual sketching ground is
limited to one particular locality. Mr. W. A.
Gibson, who is one of the most vigorous of the
younger school of painters, and one of the founders
of the Society, has, in his Cartmel, handled a
familiar theme with that breadth and richness of
tonal quality for which his later work has become
distinguished.
Dudley Hardy, R.I., was liberal in his contribu- In landscape Mr. Andrew Law proved more
tion to the show, yet not one of his efforts might interesting than in portraiture, subject undoubtedly
be lightly passed over. Solitude, a masterly having much to do with this. Duke Street, Kil-
landscape in low tones,
suffered by reason of in-
adequate lighting in the
gallery; Consolation,
somewhat reminiscent of
Whistler's portrait of his
mother, is a simple, dig-
nified rendering in black
and white of a touching
subject; Her Sanctum, a
charming colour rhythm,
in which the interest
centres in a pair of fleshy
shoulders cleverly drawn
and naturally posed. But
for downright forceful
painting there was noth-
ing in the exhibition to
excel The Old Kitchen, by
the same artist. It takes
an honourable place with
the finest examples of the
modern Dutch School.
Mr. Tom Robertson,
R. B.A., was well repre-
sented by The Lonely
Mill; by characteristic
seascapes with blue waters,
and shadowy ships with study for "consolation" by dudley hardy, r.i.
236
it is well within the mark to say that this show has
been the best and most representative in all the
Society's series. Prominent on an end wall in one
of the large rooms there was a remarkable decorative
study by the President, Mr. John Hassall, R.I.
The unusual colour and treatment would single it
out in any exhibition ; at the same time the placing
of it would exercise the minds of any committee.
A soft, fleshy red suffuses the whole picture, except
where the brilliant and cleverly painted plumage of
the king of beautiful birds introduces a note of
contiast, and redeems the picture from being
monochromatic. Hassall is distinctly imaginative.
It is always interesting to follow bis idea. The
Peacock, encouraged in the conceit that it is the
most beautiful of birds, renders voluntary Homage
to the Woman, and the painter makes this act of
self-abnegation the more noteworthy by draping
the Woman in all simplicity, and representing the
bird faultlessly in all the splendour of its glorious
plumage. _
rare atmospheric effects ; and Mr. Montague Smyth
(a new member) in Moonlight, A Devonshire Lane,
and A Chinese Harbour, showed a vigour and
versatility that gives promise of added strength to
the Society. _
Mr. Taylor Brown loves to linger over the
Ayrshire landscape. His Ayrshire By-way is one
of those typical renderings of his native country
with which he has familiarised Glasgow art lovers,
but his East Lothian Hamlet, with its rich
contrasts of red and green, supplied that interest
and variety sometimes lacking in the work of
an artist whose habitual sketching ground is
limited to one particular locality. Mr. W. A.
Gibson, who is one of the most vigorous of the
younger school of painters, and one of the founders
of the Society, has, in his Cartmel, handled a
familiar theme with that breadth and richness of
tonal quality for which his later work has become
distinguished.
Dudley Hardy, R.I., was liberal in his contribu- In landscape Mr. Andrew Law proved more
tion to the show, yet not one of his efforts might interesting than in portraiture, subject undoubtedly
be lightly passed over. Solitude, a masterly having much to do with this. Duke Street, Kil-
landscape in low tones,
suffered by reason of in-
adequate lighting in the
gallery; Consolation,
somewhat reminiscent of
Whistler's portrait of his
mother, is a simple, dig-
nified rendering in black
and white of a touching
subject; Her Sanctum, a
charming colour rhythm,
in which the interest
centres in a pair of fleshy
shoulders cleverly drawn
and naturally posed. But
for downright forceful
painting there was noth-
ing in the exhibition to
excel The Old Kitchen, by
the same artist. It takes
an honourable place with
the finest examples of the
modern Dutch School.
Mr. Tom Robertson,
R. B.A., was well repre-
sented by The Lonely
Mill; by characteristic
seascapes with blue waters,
and shadowy ships with study for "consolation" by dudley hardy, r.i.
236