Studio: international art (80.1920)

THE LANDSCAPE PAINTINGS OF C. M. GERE AND H. A. PAYNE

"A WELSH FARM. WATER-
COLOUR BY C. M. GERE

their existence to the sincerest outdoor when he had begun his painting tours in
study, and you can see that they are full Italy, revelling in mountains and clouds,
of first-hand observation of Nature. In- and in untrammelled and autonomous
deed, the opposite qualities of true expression of them. But the love of a
representation and original creation are severe and sound technique is ingrained
so well balanced in Mr. Gere's work that in a man : its happiest result with Mr.
its existence is specially good in these Gere has been to set him to work with
days, when some theorists assert that tempera, in which he does so well that
likeness to Nature is a purely accidental one would not be sorry to see him devote
and unnecessary quality of art, nearly himself chiefly to it. In several mediums
exasperating others into a declaration of Mr. Gere has shown his power over
Realism as the whole mission of painting, material. The Venetian Plain, for ex-
Mr. Gere's training was of the sort ample (p. 43), is most typical of the
that might well develop this quality of aptitude of water-colour for the most
balance between Nature and design. In transparent and limpid effects: although
his Birmingham days he worked personally elsewhere other kinds of subjects have
for William Morris, subordinating his made him use water-colour in a very
representative skill to the just re-discovered different manner, which is also able and
and delightful traditions of decorative forcible. a a a a a
art, and also to the exacting and limiting Although Mr. Payne has been trained
technique of the wood engraver. At in very much the same spheres of influence
this time, also, he did some painting of as Mr. Gere, he has worked much more at
a Ruskinian elaboration and detailed handicrafts, and is, professionally speaking,
finish, And much of this still went on more of a craftsman than a painter per se.

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