Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-04-23

Art Notes.
At Lambs may be seen q new picture Of the
Great Falls Of the Potomac, which deserves
attention. 1t is not only the best work we have
seen by the artist who painted it, tMf. Mac
Leod,l but we think we may say IL h also the
best picture Of the Falls that has vet beer
| painted. This, in one sense, is not saying much
| for We are bound to add,that up tothis time We
have seen little that was either creditable 10 tn
artist or satisfactory to the observer in any o
| the efforts to transfer to canvas the wildness
and grandeur OF this particular scene. But W,
! do not make the remark in the limited sense o;
comparison. The picture is really good, n
matter what has gone before, or what may com
after; and this in spite of very serious Difficult
ties in the way of the artist The subject.
though picturesque In itself and in the highesi
degree interesting to the sight-seer, is yet
hard and unpromising one to paint; and, taking
into account the chances against esthetic sue
cess, 1t may be said to be hardly worth the work
| of reproducing it. Not that the task should not
be undertaken, by any means.s II needs, in
deed, that they should be presented in this
form, with the advantages OF size and color in
order that the public may be able to appreciate
the Wonderful attractions Of the spot,-attrac-
| tons, we may add, which would be far more
familiar to tourists if situated within fifty or
hundred milesof Montreal or Quebec than they
now are, though within easy two hours drive OF
the national capital. But the results, so far as
artistic effects go, are 80 disproportioned to tn
amount Of labor TO be performed as TO well nigh
deter most artists from undertaking the task
unless their love for the picturesque be coupled
also with desire that a spot which has so many
charms for them should be better known 10 the
public. And something of this spirit, sus-
pect, has inspired Mr.. Macleod in his difficult
labors. But, whatever the inspiration, the
| effort is success. The picture gives not only
fair portrait but also much Of the spirit of the
| place.
| The view is a general one taken from high
| point on the Virginia side of the river, looking
| northward. The time chosen is evening ia
early autumn, when the action of the first fr0sts
on the foliage OF the softer woods gives richness
| and variety to the sombre evergreen tones that
| prevail in that locality. The atmosphere Is re-
| markably clear and pure, the perspective is
good, and the distances are rendered with fine
effect. The texture and color of the rocks, a.
| well as their peculiar formation are reproduced
with rare fidelity, as are also the action and
| tints of the rushing and eddying waters. Over
all falls the soft light OF the setting sun, who's
parting rays illuminate with a richer color tin
| high rocks and distant hill tops. giving a plea
SAINT feeling OF repose to a scene that is in ali
| other respects the very essence of raggednesS
| and drbulence.
| Were we disposed to criticise where there is
| 20 much to commend, we should saw that the
| canvas Is too large, and that the effect OF the
| picture would be heightened by taking from
four to five inches from both the top and bet
Il
sion or rocks and water IN the i'm IMMEDIATE fore
ground add nothing to its force. ana rather
serve 10 distract from the motive and action OF
the picture, upon which tie attention OF thu
observer should be concentrated. Beside, tn.
shape OF the canvas. which is rather awkward
anu unusual, would, in our opinion, be i'm
proved by the Change proposed
luke is hard at work on his series of por-
traits of Secretaries for the War Department,
finding time the while TO fill occasional private
orders. His portrait of Gen. Rawlins, just COM
pleted, Is remarkably life-like, considering that
the artist was without the advantage of having
seen his subject in life, and it only needs a
little deeper black in the hair and beard to D.
perfect The likeness of Judge Holt, now well
under way, promises to be good, as does also
the beginning of that of Senator Cameron.
which Is just laid in.
Speaking of portraits reminds us to say
word OF the very fine lkenesses, in crayon.
turned out by that talented young artist, Mr..
Rudolph Reichmann. In several respects these
have advantages over portraits in oil. They
are cheaper for one thing, and the color does
not cnange or grow dim, for another. Then
again, In the hands of an artist like Reichmann
there is opportunity for freedom of action and
grace OF style that Is not afforded in the use o.
colors, except to thorough masters of that
branch of art; and thorough masters in thai
line are not over plenty nowadays Mr.
Reichmanns studio is well worth q visit, anu
when he gets into mis- handsome new quarters
in Vernon Row, we have no doubt it will be-
come place Of re- ort to those who have an eve
Tor creditable productions in art, whether thew
go in the capacity of patrons or otherwise.
- Mr.. Witt, an artist lately arrived here from
Ohio, has opened a studio on 10th street, oppo-
site the Congregational church, where he ha-
on view few pictures which show him to be a
painter Of very decided merit, both in land
scape and portraits. He has a large view o.
the upper Ohio that is particularly fine, ami
also clever marine. His portraits are cas-,
nj md and fra,
parent in color, and We should judge, faithful
as likenesses. But upon the latter point w.
cannot speak 30 confidently, since those we saw
are OF strangers. Mr.. Witt is, however, at work
Il on some Washington faces, and when they ar,
finished We shall be able to tell better as to til,
hdehty with which he reproduces the features
and expression of his sitters.
The sale Of pictures by local artists al
Latimer q Cleary's Monday and Tuesday
evenings, was quite largely attended, but the
bidding was not as spirited and the prices
brought not as high as most persons expect
ed. Indeed, with few exceptions. the pieces
offered failed to bring anything near studio
prices, and it is doubtful il the artists will
trust, however, they will not be discouraged
An annual sale causes pictures to be talked
about and notes to be compared, and these
things exert an imperceptible but nevertheless,
important influence throughout the whole wear.
and thus an interest in art is created and muc
good done, aside from the mere question o.
dollars and cents for the time being. 1t wa,
| apparent, from the competition and the prices
brought, that Weyl was the fayorite OF tn.
evening. His "Shady Nook on Rock Creek
| garded as the gem of the collection. started AT
ninety dollars, and rapidly run up to SIPS at
which figure it was taken by Mr.. Z. B. French.
important If less popular picture than the other.
went to Mr.. G. s. Noyes at $3.50; and his
Hanging Rock" also q characteristic and
good picture, was Knocked down at so to Mr..
]. Anglam. Other pictures by the same artist
brought comparatively fair prices, as did also
several by Poole and Turner.