The Studio aug. 15. 1903 [antikvár]

The Work of ZuloagaA MODERN SPANISH PAINTER: IGNACIO ZULOAGA. BYHENRI FRANTZ.To the fairly well-informed observer it is clear, beyond all doubt, that the great tradition of the Spanish schoolthat to which we owe Velasquez, Murillo, and Zurbaranwas broken in the nineteenth century, after the death of that great artist Goya. With the departure of this original and powerful personality Spanish painting underwent a crisis from which it is only just beginning to emerge. Forgetting all that once constituted its force and its greatness, neglecting that vigour of observation, that acute perception of Nature, that grandiose power of execution which delight one in the works of the masters I have named, the painting of modern Spain wanderedaimlessly about in all sorts of academic shallows, paying heed to nought but the dainty and the pretty, or to the irritating type of sham historical painting practised by Paul Delaroche. Thus Pradilla, despite all his ability and knowledge, despite his patient attempts at reconstitution, which gave his works the appearance of an exhibition of tinsel and old costumes, altogether failed to revive the past. Quite factitious, quite undeserved, too, is the reputation of Bulliure, who is simply over-emphatic when he attempts to be impressive. Nor is Villegas, despite all his cleverness, an artist of originality. As for artists of the type of Madrazzo, assuredly it was not for them to lift Spanish painting from the academic rut into which it was sinking deeper day by day.To realise fully the utter poorness of the modernby i. zuloagadanseuses espagnoles"XXIX. No. 125.August, 1903.