Modern Painting by George Moore, 1893Moore was regarded as an influential critic of literature and art, publishing articles for many magazines and newspapers. These were later collected in 'Impressions and Opinions' (1891) and 'Modern Painting' (1893). The latter work introduced many of his generation to art of the French Impressionists and the New England Art Club. In the excerpt below Moore offers his opinion of Waterhouse's Circe Invidiosa, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1892: Mr. Waterhouse's picture of "Circe Poisoning the Sea" is an excellent example of professional French painting. The drawing is planned out geometrically, the modelling is built up mechanically. The brush, filled with thick paint, works like a trowel. In the hands of the Dutch and Flemish artists the brush was in direct communication with the brain, and moved slowly or rapidly, changing from the broadest and most emphatic stroke to the most delicate and fluent touch according to the nature of the work. But here all is square and heavy. The colour scheme, the blue dress and the green water--how theatrical, how its richness reeks of the French studio! How cosmopolitan and pedantic is this would-be romantic work!
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