Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-02-02
ART NOTES.


Oh the part of a real estate owner in near
proximity to the Corcoran Gallery, at least
part OF the benefcent purposes OF the founder
OF that institution is in great danger of being
indefinitely postponed if not entirely defeated.
Unless more ground can be obtained, directly
i'll the rear of the present building, ii will not
be practicable to establish and carry on an
Art School in close connection with the Gal
lery land without School of Art it will be i'm
possible TO entirely carry out Mr.. COrcoran'S
noble intention in establishing aud endowing
the Gallery. This intention is clearly ex-
pressed in the deed conveying the property to
The trustees, which declares that act to be in
the execution of a long cherished desire to
establish an institution in Washington City, 10
be dedicated to Art and used solely for the
purpose of encouraging American genius, in
The production and preservation of works per-
tanning TO the Fine Arts and kindred OBJ
lectS." In view of this design the Obstnacy
above referred to is to be deplOred on every
account, and it seems almost incredible that
Ii should exist. Yet, because it does exist, il
does not follow that the gentlemen to whom
this valuable and important trust is committed
should not strive to carry out the wise and
ing other paths leading to the same end. This
may be done IN large degree and with most
excellent results both direct and indirect, by
suitable money prizes accompanying, for the
best three original wOr ks of art executed each
year by American artists who may choose TO
compete for the same. For example let the
first medal carry with it prize of $1,000 the
second one of 5000, the third one OF 81 CO.,
the successful work in each case TO be-
sderation of the medal and prize taken by
its artist. Hardly any plan could be devised
which would do SO much to directly "encour-
age American genius" and stimulate artists
both old and young, to the exercise of their
very best powers The whole expense of such
system need not exceed 81 800 per year. This
IS but tithe OF the revenue to be expended
annually for works of art for the Gallery: and
1t is safe to say that if used in that way it
would secure Othe Gallery three better works
each year than the same amount could posi-
bly, procure if expended in the ordinary way
in open market. The best attainable results
would be reached, and with a minimum ex-
pendltuIe OF money. Under such eircum-
but little weight with artists. The honor of
taking the medal and having his work adOrn
the Gallery would be the great incentive, yet
the accompanying purse would be fair com
penSatlon Tor The time and labor bestowed on
the work By this simple system the Gallery
would not only be encouraging art in one of
The most effective and popular ways posi-
ole, but il would be constantly adding TO the
treasures on its walls and thus increasing its
attractlvenessE i and usefulness to the public.
compllSh double object so desirable? If so,
II ought to be pointed out and put in operation
at once.
The general public not less than the state
of Maine, is to be congratulated upon the
valuable contribution she has recently made
to the collection of Statuary in the old Hail of
the Capitol. ii is not too much to say that
Mr.. Simmons statue of Gen. King, her first
governor, which was the occasion of such
peppery debate in the Senate a few days ago,
is really one Of the very best figures yet placed
i'll that room, and it would not be at all sur
prlSlng II a large per centage OF competent
judges should pronounce it the very best The
subject was fortunately most excellent one,
and the artist has made the best of it. not only
in strictly preserving the likeness and strong
| individuality of the man, but IN q purely ar
| tjStip nDint Df view H9pniV hp ahlp
avail himself of the style of clothing worn
| frOma half to threequarters of a century ago
and thereby avoid the stitf, ,scant and inartiSic
costume, OF the present day. Thus the long
| full cloak and high-tOp taSSeled boots come in
! with fine effect. The eXacting conditions of
classic art appear to be met, with just sug-
geStlOn enough OF the martial element to
| give to the figure living human interest.
/ In ntreatment ii VergeS upon what might be
| called the pictorial domain i'll sculpture, YET it
! does not go far enough in that direction to
! dctract from the sense OF dignity, repoSe and
ImpreSsiyeneSS which should always be the
| leading characteristics i'm work of this kind
| The figure stands firm and well poised. The
| noble finely modelled head is held erect, yet
! easy and natural. The arms, too are grace
fully disposed. The left is hidden under the
drapery, which it draws into proper folds,
| while the right is carried across the breast,
against which the hand lightly holds manu-,
script scroll 1t is altogether likely that artis-
| tic Skill and reputation rather than the acci-
| dent of birth place were held paramount in
i giving the commission for this statue, yet the
Pine Tree State is none the less to be felicitated
| that the admirable contribution she sends TO
| the national capital should be the work of one
| OF her own sons. 1t is not every community
that can furnish in its own children at once so
| fine subject for and so capable an interpre-
| ter OF plastic art.
The lecture on the influence and adyan-
| tages of popular education in decorative and
| industrial art, to be delivered under the aus
| pices of the Washington Art Club in Willard
| Hall next Wednesday evening will be a treat
ordinary IntprpSt
| General Birney'S long residence in Europe
and the close attention he has given to the
subject of his discourse, specially qualify him
to present it in an Intelligent and attractive
| manner. Those who propose TO hear it need
| not fear, therefore, TO anticipate an hour
pleasantly and protitably spent. The paper
| was prepared to be read at one of the ordinary
| receptions of the Club. but when it was heard
| privately by 4 few artists and personal friends
one evening last week they unanimously de.
| cided that its influence should not be limited
to so small a circle as could be able to enjoy it
under such circumstances. Particularly, they
thought, it ought TO be heard by as many rs
| possible of those charged with the duty of
! shaping the policy of the government and
| promoting the welfare of the country, on ac-
count OF the able and clear mannerin which it
! points out the Importance of popular educa
| ton in art as factor in the problem of ma
tional prosperity Accordingly the Club has
vtatons and % car1S of aSmisson af fa ,SsueS sneh
| persons as its members supposed might be in
| lereSted in the subject or deSirOuS of hearing
IL ulSCuSSeu III Is Ikely, however, tGaG many
| of this class are unknown to, OF have been
| overlooked by, those having the matter in
| charge. Such will be cheerfully supplied with
| cards Oh application at the rooms of the Club,
in Vernon Row, or on request through the
mail, addressed to its secretary. No charge is
made for the tickets, the sole object of the
Club being to secure for the Information and
suggestions contained in the lecture the
widest possible dissemination i'm quarters
| where they are likely to be appreciated.
Mr.. Ulke has completed his portrait of
Secretary Schurz, and it is much admired,
alike by the friends of the artist and those of
his distinguished subject. 1t is life size, and
nearly full length, showing Mr.. SchurZ sitting
in an easy and characteristic position. The
features and expression are reproduced with
admirable fidelity, but the merit of the work
does not stop here. In the drawing and pose
of the figure the personality of the subject is
equally well represented Indeed, so well is
that part of the work done that the likeness
was instantly recognized by one of Mr..
SchurZ's friends before the face and features
We're exposed to his view. On many accounts
this may be regarded as the strongest and best
portrait MIR. Ulke has yet painted.
In the death of Mr. AdOlphe Braun, which
occurred at DOrnach, Switzerland, couple of
weeks ago. the cause of art lost man to whom
artists, critics and cOnnoisseurs owe much. In