Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-12-24
ART NOTES.


by art students, who avail themselves OF the
extensive and valuable material collected
within its walls, as a means OF educating
themselves I'm drawing, color, etc. During q
brief visit on Monday last we observed not
less than six enthusiastic workers engaged
in copying pictures in the main and east
rooms, and we were informed that several
Others who were not then in the building
are similarly occupied on the pay days
OF each week. OF those we saw, four were
ladies, two being engaged in reproducing
Durand's fine forest view, and two at work
on Muller's Charlotte Corday' while one
gentleman was engaged on the Talking
Wen and the other on James Harris cattle
piece. From such an inspection as a some
what distant and hasty glance afforded, the
copies. so far as they were advanced. babe
fair TO be creditable, and gave promise OF
better work in future. II is to be regretted.
however, that more use is not made by be-
g1nners OF the grand casts in the lower
rooms. Copying favorite and striking pic
lures in color is pleasant amateursh pas
time, and shows apparently more gratifying
results Tor the time expended than drawing
from the antique; bit III students wish TO Law
broad and sure foundation for after sue. -ess
In art. their best field will be found for some
time among the casts in the halls OF statu-
ary,-than which, by the way, for purposes
OF training, no better collection can be found
in the country.
Under a commission from Columbian
University, Mr. like is painting a three
quarter sitting portrait OF Mr.. Corcora q J.,
which, so far as the likeness OF the subject is
concerned, will, we think, be pronounced
the best that has been painted of him; and
this Notwithstanding ElIiott's in many re-
spects superb representation OF the same
gentleman on the walls of the gallery that
bears his honored name. IL might also be
called Mr.. Ulkes best picture, except that in
aspect of the pose IL is not so natural and
characteristic as that or the President,
painted by him a short time since. As 10
the mere likeness, in color, features, and eN-
preston, it seems To be all that could be de-
sired by any one; but its Otherwise good ef-
feet is somewhat marred by the prominent
introduction OF an deliberately carved chair
and a snowy gOld-headed cane, which is
brought forward In stiff ootrusive soIt OF
way. Mr.. like is also engaged on q portrait
of Professor Henry. which bids fair TO be
most creditable effort, although when we
saw ii the likeness had not reached the same
degree of excellence which marks the por-
trait OF Mr.. Corcoran. 1t is also a three
quarter picture, and reDresents the eminent
scientist seated in natural and easy posi-
ton before a table, his right hand, which
holds pen, resting on the arm of his chair.
Upon the table are placed materials for writ
ing, and few volumes of Smithsonian In
stltuuOn Reports and other scientific works
These accessories are subOrdinated to the CEN
trail point OF interest In the picture, and add
TO rather than detract from the quality and
effect of the composition. The claim of Mr.
Ulke's friends that each of his pictures is
better than the last seems to be fully iusti-
fed by these portraits. They both show
gratifying progress.
Since his return from the Pacific coast,
Mr.. Baumgras has been turning to good &C.
count the large collection OF studies made
during his long absence, and which includes
characteristic scenery and figures found all
along the other side, from Panama TO Van
couver's Island, and from San Francisco to
Omaha. So far, most OF the pictures he has
lat
been small in size, and interesting for the
almost Photographic fidelity with which
they represent foliage and geological forma-
lions, rather than valuable as works OF art
in the broader sense; but he has now on his
easel a view in HumDOlt Valley, Nevada,
which promises to fill, when completed, all
requisite conditions in the latter sense. 1t
shows the lake and marshes in the fcre.
ground, with the magnificent mountain
range, in a strong sunset light an the dis
lance, and combines throCxhout excellent
atmosnheric eject, nne color, and great
breadth and freedom of treatment. Indeed,
we shall be surprised IL it be not pronounced
when finished and placed on view, the best
work in landscape that Mr.. Baumgras has
yet done.
All washingtonians interested in art
and artists will learn with pleasure that Mr..
ROwzee, one OF the most promising of our
young painters, who had to give up work for
year or two on account OF partial loss OF
sight, has SO far recovered the use OF his eyes
as to be able to again pursue his studies. He
dare not undertake as yet anything minute
in detail or elaborate in finish, but he 10
making good the loss in this direction by
giving us q series of broad free transcripts Of
nature, in which the characteristics OF out
door life and the breezy freshness of the fields
derness. He is at present working on land
scapes OF this class, for several OF which we
understand he already has orders.
Mrs. Fassett, a Chicago artist of con-
siderable repute, who has recently opened
a studio here, has made good beginning
i'm painting portrait Of Mr.. Justice Miller,
Of the u. s. Supreme Court 1t Is a three
quarter full front view, showing the judge
seated, wearing his judicial robes, and gives
great satisfaction to the family and friends
of that gentleman. Mrs. F. is also engaged
On portrait OF Vice President Wilson
which promises TO be faithful LIKENESS and
excellent picture, notwithstanding the tact
that she never had the advantage of q sit
ting from her subject during his lifetime
We note with real pleasure the acquisition
of new artists here, and trust this accom-
plished lady may never have occasion to
regret having exchanged Chicago for Wash
ingtOn.
AT Markriter's, where beautiful things
are always TO be found, may be seen a NUN
Der of pleasant landscapes in pastel, by
Beaverton. While pictures in this mate
rial are net valued by connoisseurs as high
the positive merit OF being almost always
soft and poetical in effect, clear and bright
i'm appearance, and lasting In color. 1t hap
pens, furthermore, that some very highly
priced pictures are i'm paste, NOTABLY, the
famous Chocolate Girl in the Dresden Gal
lery, which has been copied so many hun
dred times. We remember also to have seen
few years ago pair OF large figure pieces
by distinguished European artist which
were held at So, 900 each. Mr.. Markriter has
likewise on view several Of Max Weyls
landscapes that deserve the notice OF those
interested in art, together with q number of
pictures on porcelain by Dresden artists
some OF which are among the largest and
best of their class that we have yet seen.
Mrs. II. Colburn exhibits At Warren
Choate Co.'s little picture In oil colors,
which, though hardly equal in merit to some
other work We have seen from her pencil, is
so thoroughly apropos of the holiday season,
and tells Its story % prettily, ~ to disarm
criticism and challenge the admiration of
oil passers by. Whether II is for sale or not
we do not know, but IL IL Is 1t would make Q
capital Christmas gift for some lover of
the beautiful, as Q reminder Of the happy
were fewer and simpler, and also, We sus-