, 1872-12-25

Il. A. Ekins' Great Picture Of hIouns Shasta, on
the Pacific Coast.
The pictures Of Western scenery presented to
the world by Bierstadt and Church awakened 9
new interest in that most picturesque region Of
the United States, and directed the footsteps OF
adventurous artists toward the mountains OF the
Pacific slope in search Of new subjects. Among
the few who braved the toll and danger incident
al to journey to the Far West, was Mr. H. 4.
E1kins, Of this city. Fascinated by the fame Of
Mount Shasta, in Northern California, he made
q pilgrimage thereto, and brought back with him
Eixty different studies, which he has combined
in one grand picture, known as "Shasta Butte"
It is the labor of three long years. The founda-
tion of the work was begun previous to the fire,
but the canvas was torn and scorched
in M attempt to save it from
the ft1ames, and the artist was COM
PEELED to begin de nouo. Fortunately his studies
we're rescued unscathed, and, nothing daunted,
he commenced again, and has continued indus
triously at his easel ever since. The result Of
his labor is now before the public, and picture
OF such magnitude and pretension cannot fail to
HLCTaCU cOlS4ucIaQ1G ALkGulAUA. Hu6I6fbT 0Alllu-
tied.
Clarence King. In his IL Mountaineering in the
Sierra Nevada" devotes pages to descriptions Of
the scenery around this gigantic upheaval Of
Nature, and the following from his pen will give
idea of the scene which the painter has more
yivid1y portrayed with his pencil:
Shasta. from sissons, is broad, triple noun tain,
the central summit being hankcd On the west By
about twelve Thousand feet altitude: the west
broad shoulderke spur jnts from the general slope
one sweep Under this high sky and pure quality Of
Light the whole varied foreground Of green and gold
'sssaa 9yne 'os Ss 2psa SfSS@ %o%s
Of IN immense extinct volcano. It occupies almost
precisely the nxial line Of the Sierra Nevada but the
s n the
Of Lassens Butte and for eighty miles norhward is
only represented by low, confused Of noun
plain, interrupted here and there By tnconsiderable
ssan seof From his s'ss general
plain, whose altitude is from Twenty-Five
About its base cluster hocks of hundred little vol
canoes, but they utterly inconspicuou8 under the
shadow. Of the great Peak. The volcanic plain 1and
itself with fields Of grass sage. Riding over IT, in
almost any part the one great point ill., u the landscape
the Shasta. lis crest OF BOl1 Wl1te its
altitude the pale gray rosy tnts Of its hvas and the
dark girdle Of forest which swels up
foothills give it q grandeur equa1cd by hardly any
Imagine the foregoing picture transferred to
the canvas by an artist who has been extremely
conscientious in the translation. An elaborate
description Of it's beauties cannot convey to the
eye an adequate idea of the picture aB WHOLE
It must be seen and studied in order to be ap-
preciated, The dimenBons are 72x120 inches.
It is mass of shadow and mass Of light, filled
in with detail. The shadow Of IN impending
east q eaaa ss nna f5on s s dsns9 hs h The
breaking from tho clouds strikes between that
and the summit Of Shasta, and floods
WITH With light ths e. valley below In this is
detail. 4 miniature lake formed by the snow
drifts, ehimmers on one side of the valley, it's
shore being fringod With forests. To the right
OF the foreground aro the everlasting rocks,
Of the valley in tho foreground are more rocks,
studded with cedar and fir trees. The rocks and
the foliage, the result of infinite pains, are won
derfully faithful to nature.
In the centre Of the picture rises the summit
Of the mountain shrouded in everlasting SNOW.
Tho light and shade OF the summit and the con-
fguraton OF the clouds are as notable as any
part Of the picture. The shading is delicate,
and the effect Of the light on the whole
scene is singularly fortunate. Much study
produced what is almost perfection in this i'm
portant element Of the painting. AIr. EIlns,
in addition to tho sketches takon on the spot,
studied sunsets for eight months at Riverside
from the top Of Mr.. Ford's house. One ray Of
light occupied two months time to make it pro-
duce the effect desired, and tho pains-taking
artist has achieved . triumph that amply repays
him.
The picture should be seen. It promises to
rank high, and to rebound to tho glory Of its
author. The execution is free and easy almost
throughout the entire work. There is hardly
trace of stiffness. The lines are generally bold
and elegant and tho coloring rich Those who
have seen Mount Shasta testify to the absolute
faithfulness OF the drawing.
Ihls Is the work OF young artist whose
home is in Chicago. and it goes forth to tic
world, tho critical and captious world of New
York and London, to astonish those whoimngine
that nothing great in art can come out Of this
Western town. We believe it will be commend
ed, wherever it goes by the fair-mindod, and We
trust that bis success will not turn Mr. E}lins
from continued study, which will insure him fur
ther triumphs in his profession. The picture
will be on exhibition for one month at No. 3G4
Wabash avenue. and for Is cents it can be seen.
Every one should honor it with visit.
OTHER MATTERS.
In the room adjoining that in which sShasta
Butte " is hung is portrait of Joaquin Miller,
the Poet ct the Sierras, By Tracy, q California
artist. It is fine painting. The hair is long
and flowing around the poetic shoulders, and the
lower portion Of tho face is hidden in brown
whlRkere. Tho connteuance is pleasing Tho
nose is Of tho Grecan type, the eyes blue, with
3 cold, grayiah tinge, the forehead is lofty,
though not broad. As curiosity, it is worth
looking at.
TIE TRIBUNE Building, has on his easels soma
heads which indicate his power as 1, portrait
painter. As . wielder Of the cra5on he is
amongst the most successful artists of tho day,
and his studio is gallery Of heads which will be
easly recognized BY every citizen of Chicago.
SANITARY MATTERS.
nIcctin of the Board of Hca1th--A Slight Dc
crease in :iae Death Rntc--S1noI-Pox stu.
Observation-Disclosures of Births.
The Board OF Health had regular meeting
.v.a4,rd,-r TIL