Mlle. Maxa Nordau, daughter of the late Dr Max Nordau, is exhibiting her paintings at The New Gallery, 600 Madison Avenue, under the auspices of Mr. George S. Hellman, the art critic.
Miss Nordau’s exhibition includes eighteen numbers. The titles include portraits, landscapes and nudes. Many of the shown pictures were executed in Spain.
“Femmes a Leurs Toilettes,” is one of the larger and more intimate canvasses, and serves to introduce two semi-nude women in the act of dressing. The treatment is decidedly realistic and the flesh tones of the girl at the right, have been painted in a manner that is at once warm and glowing. In her right hand she is holding a small black mirror. The girl’s face, neck, shoulders and breast, are all painted with much strength and artistry. Her companion has long hair, in contrast with bobbed hair, and the treatment is good, in spite of the subduction. A green table at the right, serves as a support for the major girl’s left arm, and her black necklace thereupon, is pleasingly incidental. “Exogique,” deals fetchingly with an etheopian girl, bared to the waist, and with characteristically kinky hair, who regards herself in a small mirror, in which her sweetly smiling face is delightfully reflected. Her undraped back, is nicely registered, with due regard for anatomical detail, and a gown of prismatic colors, arranged in stripes, enters most admirably into the color scheme, of the picture. This work in its entirety has been most pleasingly carried forward.
Her portrait of her father, Max Nordau, is perhaps her strongest work. He is shown in half length, and with a parted white beard, and a partly bald hear, suggesting dignity. His right hand is thrown across his breast and stands out in high color, against his black coat.
“The Artist’s Mother,” introduces a grey-haired woman of placidity. She also has been painted in half length, and with a black wrap. Her face is full of luminous expression and is well painted.
Miss Nordau’s study from the female “Nude,” is pleasing in high degree. It is likewise in half length, and shows the model seated, with her right arm raised to the back of an overstuffed chair. Her hands are clasped and her short brown hair covers her ears, a la mode. The damsel has turned her face away from the observer.
The artist’s conception of the “Faun,” projects a girl’s head and shoulders. A bandeau of green apples, as worn by her, becomes decidedly decorative as handled. The girl’s eyes are earnestly expressive and her coifure is entirely harmonious.
Miss Nordau has painted some delectable street scenes and a coastal landscape, with two figures, seated upon the flanking rocks, that is broadly executed.
Other titles in her present exhibition are “Girl with Cigarette,” “The Fruit Bearer,” “From My Window,” “Spanish Lady,” “Village in Provence,” “At the Sea,” “Harbor in Brittany,” “Woman’s Head,” (two studies) “Village Street,” “Cote d’Azur” and “Houses.”
It is expected that Mlle. Nordau will execute various portraits of prominent Jews in this country during her stay.
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