DLA096-0049  Transcription

Dundee Advertiser

Perth Art Exhibition

OUTSTANDING PICTURES

(By Our Own Critic)

The interesting exhibition, under the auspices of the Perth Art Association, being held in the Sandeman Library, Perth, until 11th April, was formally opened yesterday afternoon by Mr. James Paterson, P.R.S.W., R.S.A., secretary of Royal Scottish Academy.

Mr. William Frazer, R.S.A., presided over a large attendance, and said they were fortunate in having such a distinguished person as Dr. Paterson to open their exhibition. Mr. Paterson, he said was one of the founders of the Scottish School of Art, and had done a lot of good work in order to assist its development.

Mr. Paterson, in declaring the exhibition open, said he valued very highly the honour of being asked to open that exhibition. In the old days such exhibitions were opened with prayer. They did not carry that out now, but he thought some of that spirit in which the devotional feeling lurked might be used a little more in approaching works of art. It was a glorious thin art. As he got older it did not become any plainer to him what it was. It was undoubtedly a method by which the spirit demanded expression. Long ago in Scotland, art was rather frowned upon as having something to do with the devil. They had passed from that, he was glad to say, and nowadays he thought all sensible men and women admitted that art had a right to exist. More than that, it was a necessity with some people; not necessarily a desire or the capacity to express one’s self in art, but the feeling that art gave the expression for what was beautiful, apart from what was useful or what might be called hood or righteous. It was a side of life and its importance could hardly be exaggerated. Although there were hundreds of books published every year dealing with art, nobody has been able to define exactly what art was. There was certainly more nonsense talked about art than any other subject except religion. He would like men and women to be brave about holding their own opinion of art. They should not pretend to admire a thing because someone else said it was beautiful. He would urge people to induce their own tastes in the works of art. They might find in the course of time that their tastes would alter, but [...] There were a large number of people who bought pictures, and especially etchings, not because they really cared for them but because they were as certain to appreciate in value as the shares in some Oil Company. Reputations had been holstered up, and prices had been paid for works of art, which were entirely out of proportion to their value. Perth, he said, had to be congratulated in having such a fine exhibition, and he hoped before many years had passed to sec the Fair City in the happy position of having an Art Gallery. (Applause.) It had very [sic]  nice room and could quite well have one.

On the call of the Rev. P. R. Landreth, Mr. Paterson was accorded a cordial vote of thanks, while a similar compliment was paid to the chairman on the motion of Mr. Geo. A. Miller.

The optimìst who said he liked Art exhibitions because they were the best way of keeping in touch with the Immortals would find himself in good company in the Gallery of the Sandeman Library [...]

[...]

Great interest will be taken in three notable loan portraits by that extraordinarily gifted artist, Philip de Laszlo. The painting of our popular Lord Provost, the Hon. John Dewar [5273], takes us back to the days of  “grim-visaged war.” He wears the khaki and the Highland bonnet. It is a wonderfully virile and direct portrait, with the suavity of modelling for which de Laszlo is famous. On the opposite wall is the beautiful painting of Lady Forteviot [5199]. The artist has given an imposing composition in the manner generally associated with the name of Gainsborough, and there is artistic “tour de force” in the intricate folds of the figural drapery over the shoulders of the sitter. The third portrait by the Hungarian master is that of Mrs. J. M. Fraser [4727]. This may be described as one of the great portraits of our time. It must be considered as a work that will take rank with the best of Raeburn, Lawrence, or Romney. In artistic tone and amity it is incomparably fine, and the sweet expression of the face, the kindly eyes, the refined and sensitively modelled features are fascinatingly portrayed.

MD
02/01/2008