George Wishart : Art Notes

THE LATE MR. RICHARD JOHN RANDALL. Mr. Richard John Randall, the well- known artist, whose (death took place st Monday, 11118 learn In Brisbane vebruary, IMO, and was the eldest gun of Mr. George Randall, the well-known Govern- ment immigration lecturer in Great Britain, At a very early age the future painter showed remarkable aptitude and talent in drawing and aketeilaing. This being d rected and fostered in the local art schools and classes at that time under the late Mr. Clarke (for whom the pupil always enter. mined loving regard). resulted in the young student currying off prizes every year unt;l the range of competitive in work lad been ethausted. Having aehieved this imuch, though be continued toexhibit, he generously stood aside by entering Ida work im nonscompotitive. On his father leaving for England on a third mission for the. Government, his son ac- companied bait forthe purpose of obtain- ing further tuition and higher art training. Wittl, free choice before him of the Various 1104100114 of painting in Great Britain, the young Queen.elansier decided to place him. self under Professor dierkorner, and en- tered th famous art "schools at Bushey. It speaks well for his Brisbane training and hisown natural gifts, that, befere, he bed been many months in his new sphere of work, be bud exhibited such progress as t entitle limo to be pained up to the life elms, the ihigheirt in the echoed, end the coveted goal of many wbo had entered at Bushey long before him. Continuing hie studies for some three years, he -was leaving to accompany his parents back to Qaticuland, When, in order to retain so apt apupil as be bad proved, Professor Berle -inter offered him a acholarehip in order that he might, remain under hie influence for some time longer. Shortly after this new,' reached Queensland of some of Site work being exhibited and hung at the Roy sl Academy (1897). Shortly after th expiration e f his scholarship, on his father gain returning to London in a official capacity et studio was taken in Qeteneborough-terrace, Bayswater -road, This, by a strange coincidence, proved t be clue to the town residence of P. N. (afterwards Sir 1'. N.) Russell, Who with many other Australian residents, inLondon, were f quent visitors. Sir P.N. Russell gave the young artist a commission topaint this portrait. This being executed was hung inhis library, and gave the highest satisfaction to the original and his friends. The painting of other life-size portraits in oiler followed, in- cikadins Hy. 'Norman, Sir James Gairric Si Arthur ilodgeon, Mr. Thus. Archer and Mr. Chas. S. nickel', the leiter b ing Slung in the Agent. General's office, Flom et sketch from life when renting a paper on Queensland at the Cannon -street Hotel, one was also painted of the late T. J. Byrnes. In his summer diolidaya, Hampshire, his fatiber'e county bf Hertfordshire, and .the Pen districts partioulerly of hismother's county of iLincolneinre, enabled lent to paint and get together a delightful collet - lion of paintings d 'sketches typical of renal England. These were Amen a. is teenediion in London', and were greatly admired. As showing his true Rennie perceptien and read facility for the selection of ideal spots for landscape paint- ing, it away bementioned that the mine country in Tients being covered a year or two Inter byDavid Murray, RA., this famous landscaped oumore then one occlusion pitched his easel on the same spot t transfer to canvas the selfeame scenes. A short visit was paid to Paris, 11.114 then after three years' successful work, and when everything pointed to his mak- ing aniche for himaelf in the highest realms of art in the old lend, the returned toQueeneland to carry out his father's patriotic wish, that now he had received taming and/ experience heshould go go back and use this and Isis talent to doing something to help lift art mutters in has native 'city and country. A fine commodious studio (add to be the best - equipped private ...Audio in Australia) was spatially built for hint in Conklin -street, and, gathering mend hint a number of congenial spirits attracted by histyle ofwork, as exhibited at the local art ethfletione year lifter year, minim by his modest and uiis,seutning ,personality, lie and a constantly increming band of de - toted pupils studying his methods and working out Ilia ideals. 'Mr. %mall was an indefroatable and, in watercolour medium particulaely, u very rapid worker,- As a t;,. result of this holidays spent in venom parts of the State, a fine collection of water colours, typical of our bush, river, and coast scenery, was obtained, and a selection plated on view at the Modern Gallery, Bond -street London, and was characterised by the 'Priem its conveying to the Englidh min a more pleasing itn- precision of Australia end its scenery than had hitherto existed. At the Glasgow Ex. !libation a few of 'his water colours were placed on view in the Queensland Court, were greatly admired by the public and art judges, and readily Sound their way into the hands of the late Mr. James Dick, Mr. John Aisethieson (formerly Que nsland Railway Commissioner), Mr. fillies. Mills (of eltartens Towers), arr. Thos. law (of TIM. Lem and lions), and others. The work was (molten of by the "Glasgow Herald" as manifesting trtistic talent and training of a very high order, and exhibit- ing a considerable share of the, fine draughteuranahip and clear colouring f Ibis master, and a ded " that so promising nn artist Should have relinquished the proaneet of art'itic distinction in. London, and go back to his native etilony, there to practise his pencil in depicting the scenes of his Which ueensland inspires end the speaks well for the patriotism future o Queensland art." Only last year, When for lhe first time lie sub- mitted his work to the art criticism of the adjoining State, several of his pictures were iccepted end hung at the Royal Art Society's exhibitionesaed the trustees of this National Gallery, pgmbesed ape for theis'eptisimenent colleetiest, Severalesthers found purchasers among the Sydney public. And here we are remindeig 'that one thing will surely strike the public of Aug - UAL', and Chit- rank and file of his Queens. land felloweetizens, that up to the present no single example of the work of their undoultedly talented fellow countryman huts found its way to the wells of the State's art cellection-oonclueively point- ing to that lack of expected et eourage- ment to native talent, a d a want of jedgment, not to say justice, tone of her own eo s. Our Queensland artist appeared equally nt home not only in all medal, water colours,oil., pistils, or black nd white, but inall spheres of art effort-- patralture, land and sea escapes, model- ling, &c., while sev ral of his black nd white sk tches have apprered in the "Queensiander," the "London Daily Graphic," and other papers. Unquestion- ably, however, he excelled-poesibly has, excelled-every other Australian artist in the vivid and faithful' portrayal of the Australian bush with its own peculiar and fantastic tree and shrubs, and vary- ing effeets and beatifies. Unfortunately Short as hie life has linen, it will be found when time history of art development in Australia comes tobe wrieten the name of R. J. Handel' will bold a high place, and that his enthusiasm and effort to lift art matters in his native country, and the itacrifice he generously, made to do so, Ileve not been in vain. A GREAT PICTURE. Turner's (animus picture, "Mort- lake Terrace," has been BOW at Christie's auction rooms, for 12,000 guineas, and Is te to to America, the opening or the Druce grave erectile that Rossetti seemed permission, in 18e9, to reopen the rollin of his wife in ender to secure the manuscripts of some poems irlikh he 'had buried with her seven yeeuis before. Some such incident might hive , occurred in connection -with J. M. MS Tanter if his dune Se he buried wrapped up in hie own painting' of "Catileige" had been carried ma. There tees some ' difficulty in selling the painting, and the scrim kept the tames by lain. Ile al. ways said lie would lie wrapped in it when he wateStiiriel. and even so far us to ask Chimney if, as hi. executor, he would fulfil his wisha on that point. Ni," doubt," anewered the teetilptor. " t shall Miry you rolled up in your ,picture, if it is ono of the conditions of your will, but I would take you uy next day' and unroll you !" The right to one's photograph is on ills way le being recognised as one of the fundamental rights of a freeman on an equality with liberty of the Press and tspecels. and the halides corpus. Not even . inn police may now force a man to fare ithe camera unless ho Iles been convicted of crime by thus process of law.---eNew York "'Evening Post," The /mend of the late Mr, R. J. RaudaR, the well-known artist, took place yeetetvlity afternoon. The cortege left hut father's validence, Sowerby Grunge, Birk - dale, et 3.30 pen. fur the Cleveland Ceme- tery, and amoug those present were :- Messrs. G.. Randall, sen., G. Randall, jun., lira. L. W. K. Wirth, Mot, and Miss Neville, M'esers. Matthew Adam, Victor Drury, repreaentatives et the Queensland Art Society (Mears. L. K. W. Wirth and D.S. 'Ilhietlethwayte), representa.tives of the New Society of Artiste _Messrs. A. L. Ifambleton Ernest G. Oreapin, Oscar Fristrom, b.. Whitmire E. Coleleugle Alf .Eamonde, Vietter Day, and the Rev. 11, 0. George), Meters. J. R. Thompson A. F. II. Jackson, A. ferpungin W. Marne, Willard, James Smith, and others. The service was conducted ley the Rev. Arthur Meade. The members of the Queens- land ArtSociety and the New So- ciety ofArtie ita acted as pall bearers. Many beautiful wreaths were re- ceived, including those from Mr. andMoe Tre {turtle, the Queensland Sudety of Arnett', Mr. and Mrs. Neville and blindly, Mr. and Mrs. Davies, 11r. and Mrs. J. M. Robley and family, Mr. and Mie. G. W. Beggs, Mr. R. Godfrey Rivers, the New Society of Artists, Mr., Mrs. and Miss Orespin, Mae D. S. Theetlethwayte, from all at Somerlsy Grunge, Cu;'. and Mee L. W. K. Wirth, Mr. and Mrs. J. Wood - gate, Mr. lVilliam Thorne, Miss Willard, Miss M. Wirth, Mr. and Mrs. E. Stanton, ET, Valli:111Ln Nevi* Mr. anti Mrs. WiJ- :liem French, Mr. ar Mrs. J. Ringer, Mrs. G. Careeldine, Mr, d Mrs. Huginon, and Mr. mid Mrs. Siagertfuaz and family. Mali. Bilges of empathy and condolence were re- ceived final Mr. mid Mrs. Fred. Wood - retie, Messrs. It. (-retiree Rivers. F. Papi, .T. J. Knight, ,Jdhn W. Randall. E.M. Holiday, Neville, J. L. Watts, Mrs. E. Colelough, New Society of Artists, Mx, G. H. II. Addison, Mrs. and Mies Creepin, Al- derman .f. eavies, .Nite. R. Godfrey Rivers. Mans Dennis, Mr_ Martin Roberts, Mr. James P. M. M'Dureild, Mesons. Winter and 11PNale Mr. and Mn,,. M. 11. (Niunlionr), Meagre. A. J. nine- teen', Richard Randall (Vallee), Mattheiv Adam, Ntiace Porter, Mr. ttic Dr. Dodds, Mr. and Mns. Letroperd, Miss Ilingeton, Mr. allid Mits. Gillman, Mrs. North, Mr. and L1fxs, )7/eagles, Mr. acid Aird, and others. The funeral arrange- ments were curial out by Menens. SuHett and Barrett. Deceased was the eldest son f Mr. George Randall, hail won laurels in the arena of art both at ome and in the eat:oaks. Mr. Geo. Kohler], son., was at one time employed by the Queensland Government in the capacity of immigra- tion lecturer at bons. Mrs R. Randall also illuetrated Queensland's beauty with his brush. His early training was received at the Brigham Teethe/Ma College, the then master loving Mr. A. J. (ikurke. The lat artist studied for afew yeasts inBrisbane, and then visited England, where he achieved onsiderable amuse. At home he studied at the 1Terkomer School to with advantage that his landents work was exhibited in the Royal Academy. He also gained 'diplomee fur Ids exhibits at the Glasgow hitereational Exhibition. On re- turning to Queensland. Mr. Randall estab- lishmi himself as a teacher of art and painting, and in this department of ids :profusion lie was also very successful. At the time of his death 'he wan vieeepresident of the Qusenhinel Art Society. and held a similar office in the Brisbane Sketching Club. Mr. 'Widen was a well-known ensibitor at these societies' exhibitions. Laid year his exhibits were hung at Syd-. ney, and UMe of lie pictures-a imoneitype- was purchmed Iy the trustees of the Now South Wale" gallery for that institution. His holidays were spent in truer!, mud these excursions always resulted in hand- some additions 10 a(splendid collection of pictures. Mr. Randall was arms Tied. lie cared for a large timnbee of pupils, and both by them and his contemporaries was admired and respected. "IMF fRe 7 . - 0 - -- THE STUDIO. By "BON AdII." . Where Is on view n Trittonh ,window in George -street a local opy of Holmes Hunt's famous picture The Light of the World." It is odd to have be n painted from recollection, utter seeing the painting where it was on exhibi than in the Queensland National (Jul. lery. The artist, Mr. Wilk:meson, bas caught something of the wistful sadness of the expression of the Saviour, and his drawing and colouring, while in some re. speete defective, SilOW that Holman Hunt's picture must have made a vivid impression upon here It is an ambitious but respectful attempt to suggest the spirit of the original. The death of Mon. Alfred Stevens, the famous Belgian painter, at the age of 7E, removed a striking personality from Con- tinental art circles. Many. young Eng- NM' painter owed to Mon. Stevens a kind and encouraging word, for hewas &away,' acecadble tothose who eoueht him. As a painter he had a beautiful sense of colour, great m xtery of draught. mansbiP, and an extreme distinction of style. Several of his most characteristic works, including a brilliant portrait of Mlle. Bernhardt in the character of Fedora, wore recently exhibited at the ex hibition of Flemish and Belgian art at Guildhall. Mon. Stevens died at Paris. A recent acquisition to theLouvre is a lifeeize bust in chalk, primitively coloured, of the heretic king of the Eigh., teenth Dynasty, AkSoumalon, orAmeno-; phis IV., one of t. ei strangest figures in) the long li e of GI Pluvrauhs. The bust, is a remarkably line specimen of the art of the ponied, and is well preserved. Be- ; sides thi , there are four sepulchral urns in blue porcelain trots he tomb of Harasses II, In these urns was found, besides funeral linen. certain organic matter, which is being chemically ex- amined. a A fine statue of Gainsberough, executed byMr. TittlIfillei Brack, has been placed in the Tate Gallery. The sculpture depicts the great artist mending with ins palette i in imod. and isingularly life-like. it hue been placed in an astern alcove in the Fountain Bail, opposite the stature of Reynolds and Elaennun. Gainsbeirough, it may be remarked, was a Sutfollunan-born in 1727, and died 17811,, at the age ofM. Ills portradte rank with those of Vandyck and :his landscapes have adhieved a world wide fame. "Ile painterithis eubjecte," says an all writer, "with afaithful adherence to nature, and it be to be remarked that they approach (IDIOM the landscapes of Ruben'a than to those of any othet mu- ter. Ilia trees, foreground, and figures have inw'h force and spirit; and we may add, that be united the brilliancy of if:Sande and the simplicity of Raided to his romantic scenes." Not only 'sus Giiinsbort411. a great artist, but he was a man of exceptional generosity a d charity. If the eelecited for the exercise of bin pencil a infant front a cottage, all the t nants of the hunetee roof generally, participated in the pro- fits of the pasture; and some of tbent frequently fo nd in his habitation it per- manent abode, Open like this-with one of those mild natures whiell cannot say no he died n comp ere:Lively poir man- though one of hi* pictures mre-days would rea ise afortune. A statue inmemory of the victims of the Dogger Bank outrage was unveiled at Hull early het month. John Creme, one of the Itunders of tiro Norwich Sdhool of Painting, 'embodied some excellent advice in one Renitence: He mid, "Do net distress us with acci- dental trif es of Nature, but keep the mamas large, and in good and beautiftil lines, and give the atty. which plays so important a part in all landscape', and so supreme a one i our low level lines and distance, the .prolllint`TWO it desenveseuel in the coming years. the posterity yeti paint for shall admire your work." Thu Norwich sdhool, Which included Crome, Colman, Stalk., Vincent, and others, was inspired by ideas of that ldnd, and to -dap, a century after it hem adhieved its work, the pictures of those Who made it famous command fabulous Prices. "