The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-04-10
FINE ARTS TO PERFECTION.
MoKeoknie & Thompson's Studio,
Toledo.

The universally increasing taste cultivated
in discriminating and appreciating true merit
in fine arts is daily becoming more and more
an established fact. No longer do we find go
cietv lavishing admiration upon every rude
"semblance Of one dear and dead,
an absent friend, or even one still more near
and dear, simply from the intense love they
cherish for the original subject, but refined
taste, discriminating eye, aud an acquired
perception of true sterling merit, now de-
of the genuine artist, to secure an unreserved
approval. The rapid advancement made in
photography may be fairly credited with hav-
ing largely contributed TO this wholesome con-
Summation. Still, those who are momentarily
transported with the accuracy Of a likeness,
and are apt to presume themselves in view of
absolute perfection, not unfrequently dis
cover the truth in that old proyerb "there
never was a good man but there was bet
ter" Nevertheless, unhappily, Partially and
prejudice is not wholly annihilated. People
will form and exercise their likes and dis
likes; but when all is said and done
"He who hath the priced gift
Must win the race with favor"
In photography Toledo has long held its
own, with a distinctive superiority Of skill
highly complimentary to its local genius while
as If tt render "perfection perfect" it has al
so of late received an accession and acquisition
to its art professors which promises for it in
future, equal distinction in the production Of
frst-class studies in crayon, ink, water-color
and oil paintings. We refer to Mr.Thompson,
of New York, who has very reesntly joined
in partnership with Mr.. McKecknie, and has
thus identified himself with the latter gentle
man in the conduct of the business now car
ried on al 47 and 49 Summit street.
MR.. no KECKN1E
is certainly not very old resident in the city,
vet his natural talent and extensive experience
as photographic, have long ranked him at
the head of his profession. A single glance
around his studio viii amply convince and re-
pay the conno1sseur in fine arts. The cabinet
and full-sized portraits are truly marvels Of
perfection and the beautiful soft vignettes
and admirably executed limitations Of porce-
lain are to degree charming. All his pho
tographs present rurs degree Of perfection
in detail and each receives the Berlin finish
the latter being modern final process which
enhances the beauty Of the picture amazingly.
In our look around his collection we reeog-
nized many familiar faces, and were so thor
oughly convinced of their faithfulness, that
we experienced an irresistible desire to trans
gress the 10th commandment with the ex-
preston ''I wish it were nine" But we
must defer further expatiating on this point as
we shall on future occasion have again to
revert at greater length to a nunber 81 Mis-
gentleman's finest productions, wAicR} haEe
stood the test OF able critics IN the~art ind
won honorable distinction for their sftist.
And now a word SIS to the special CLAIMS Of
NE. zHoNPsOE.
His portraits in craon, Indian ink, water
colors, oil and Pastel, axe, without exception,
of the highest merit. It would be in7idious
to particuIarize single picture, all alike evil
dence a mastery touch Of rare excellence.
His repertoire of portraits is very large and
includes many prominent and popular per-
sonages-and wo feel assured that their
strength, expression and delineaton viii con-
duce largely to inaugurate new era in the
art pstEonsgs Of the city, and even this entire