Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-12-18
ART NOTES.


winter quarters and fairly at work, putting
in better shape the results OF their summer
wanderings. That is TO say, so many of them
as are able to find suitable accommoda-
tions-Of which, 1t Is q shame TO have TO
own, there is as yet plentiful lack at the
national capital. For, Notwithstanding the
steady and constantly increasing demand for
good studio rooms, and the certain and hand
some returns a first rate studio building
would yield, our capitalists seem to be in
disposed 10 make an Investment in that di-
rectioD. The consequence is that there is
hardly a room in the city which combines
the essential requisites of size, light and &C.
feasibility. This is to be regretted, hardly
less on account OF artists now residing else
where who desire TO locate here. but who are
detained from doing so for want OF proper
accomm OdatiOns, than on account of our own
local force, who greatly need suitable rooms,
and who, for many reasons, would prefer to
be quartered as nearly together as possible.
The principal advantages OF colonizing under
a single roof are two fold. In the first place
the fraternity is able TO improve itself oy in
terchanging ideas and observing the methods
and progress OF each other; in the second
place. ii brings the artists into closer rela-
tiODship with the general public,-a result
hardly less desirable and important 10 both
sides. IL happens in this way that, for want
of better place, Vernon Row is coming TO
be regarded as sort of centre or nucleus in
and about which many of the knights of the
pencil and palette now dOmiciled here are
gathering. It is far from being first rate.
either in the size and arrangement of the
the best the city affords, and it is probable
therefore that all the available apart
ments in the building will eventu-
Already Baumgras, Messer, Turner and Kin
dleberger are installed in il, and IL is likely
that Witt and Weyl will also be quartered
there before the winter is over, while Kauf-
mann and Poole are in the May building,
adjoining on the east. This is fair begin
ming towards an art settlement, so to speak,
and the probabilities are that with this start
IL Will rapidly Increase in proportions and
usefulness.
OF the artists themselves, and their present
engagements, something ought to be said, In
order that the public may not lose sight of
class ef modest and deserving gentlemen,
VINO might otherwise be kept out of view.
By reason of his age and length of service 10
the ranks OF the gentle mistress. If not on
account of Ion est residence in Washin gton,
we suppose Mr.. Kaufman may be regarded
as the dean OF the craft here, and therefore
entitled to priority in mention. Mr.. X. spent
most OF the last summer In Minnesota, where
he went TO fill a number of commissions for
portraits; but we regret TO hear that on &C.
count OF death in the family of some of his
intending sitters the results of his visit were
less satisfactory than he had reason to hope
they would be; Since his return he has been
ouslly engaged on his allegorical series or
group OF pictures intended for the Centennial
exhibition, which We have heretofore referred
10 somewhat at length. The leading features
aIu composition OF the several parts are now
nearly completed, and the artist will soon
De at liberty to give his whole attention to
the eIaboratlon OF details. lie intends, we
understand, TO finish them with great care
so that in technique and effect they will
WOrth1ly represent the thought he thus seeks
TO emoody in form and color. Though com
naratively small in size, they can hardly
fail, when thus finished and appropriately
placed on the walls of the great gallery, TO
attract wide and favorable notice.
-Messer spent the summer In western
New York, where the many little lakes and
long level reaches of meadow land afford fine
material for his pencil, which, by the way,
etms to find its best ex preston in Landscape
of pastoral type. Although greatly inter
fered with by the heavy ana pr0tync,va rains
which prevailed in that locality, he was sue
cessfUl IN making a number of excellent
Nluules and sketches, of which he will dolbt-
present be is al work on portraits, but hopes
10 give considerable attention TO landscapes
during the winter.
Mr.. t. j. Fisher, whose crayon head of
Christ attracted favorable notice here year
or so ago, and which has since become more
familiar through the medium of photo
graphic copies, has taken a studio over
Galt's. 1t may be said that Mr. Fishers
specially and favorite branch of art is genre,
or figure pieces, for success In which depart
ment long course of study in Europe has
qualified him; but he seems to be likewise at
home IN both landscape and portraits, and
exhibits on his walls creditable examples in
each line. He is just now engaged on a
strong and well modelled likeness of Gov.
Kemper, under a commission from the state
Of Virginia, but is At the same time working
on couple of interiors that promise well.
One OF these represents a blacksmith shop,
with men at work; the other shows a little
girl in an easy and graceful attitude before q
wide Old-fashioned fireplace, engaged with
her story book, and surrounded by the appli-
a nj OIL .0t
OF fre-light peculiar TO their subject, and
when completed will be somewhat elaborate
in details and finish. But what bids fair TO
be the gem OF Mr.. Fishers studio is q cOmpo-
sitiOn which he has just commenced. 1t is TO
represent nun kneeltng before crucidX
placed in the "long- drawn aisle and fretted
vault" of great cathedral, where q rich
light streams through stained window, in
strong contrast with the low gray light fall
ing on the foreground from the Observers
point of view. The fine accessories intro
duced would of themselves make a beautiful
painting, but the human interest in the pic
lure centers, OF course, as IL should, in the
kneeling figure at the foot OF the cross. The
young "bride of the church" has come in pos
session of letter from her long absent aud
too long silent lover, and her attitude and
pale sad face are to show the conflicting
emotions struggling for mastery in her
bosom, and tell, as well as agonized human
expression may tell without words, the story
OF despair-.'TOO Late"
Mr.. Miller has been hard at work ever
since his return from Europe, mostly on
crayon heads, but hopes before long TO do
something in the way Of color, and In land
scapes as well as figure pieces. He brought
back with him great many sketches and
studies, which we have looked at with much
interest. As his visit was a rather flying
one, most Of his work was of necessity hur-
riedly done, but his facility for sketching
rapidly and with great accuracy is such that
every little bit he got is sure to do good ser
vice hereafter, either as motives for future
pictures or TO be worked in as accessories,
according TO their character. His studies OF
Italian figures and bits of architecture, par
ticularly In the Mediterranean ports. are c.
necially picturesque and INTERESTING, al
though small and hasuiy done.
Turner exhibits at Galt's marine view
somewhat larger and more ambitiop~ &,
scope and treatment than anythip~ 80
heretofore seen from his co., f. n,av he
called, we suppose, An old-fashioned Dutch
er rather the 81. .ong rich glow that follows
sunset. !'s not without good points, but
on the cole 1t 10 likely 70 ind fewer ad-
mire. q than his more quiet and less preten-
r.ous work. Mr.. T. has taken studio in
xye-nov, Row Init IL is not vet unite read