Helena weekly herald., 1879-06-19
Art for Montana.

The time is approaching when the artistic
tastes of the people of Montana will no long
er be satisfied with the chromos and wood
cuts that had to suffice in the younger days
of the Territory. We are not disposed to
speak disrespectfully of chromos; they have
rendered useful service in making art pos
sible among millions of people to whom it
would otherwise have been stranger, and
in lending glimpse of brightness and grace
| to the walls of many mountain home. But
| it is nevertheless true that chrome bears
about the same comparison to fine oil paint
| ing that bill of fare bears to square meal
it is unsatisfying, not to say aggravating.
The above is meant for an overture to a
brief and inadequate notice of a collection
of fine oil paintings that may be seen in the
counting room of the HERALD. They are
from the easel of Mr.. Charles McIlhenney, of
Philadelphia, a young artist who is rapidly
winning recognition in the most critical cir
cles in the East, and they are the property of
his mother, Mrs. NJ. A. McIlhenney, of San
Francisco, who offers them for sale.
L
s'On the Borders of the Park" 1t is a study
OF the characteristic scenery of California,
and the handling of the foliage, and indeed
the entire execution of the piece betray the
brain and hand of an artist of surprising
talent.
"The Curfew Bell' is highly attractive
picture, combining landscape with figure.
There is an old church with spire, in which
the bell may be seen and-it would not be
wholly extravagant to add-heard! An ad-
mirable effect is the sinking sun shining
through the belfry and lighting it up with
golden glow. There are two horses whose
tired look tell of the close of the day. Some
COWS are drinking near by, and we catch
glimpse of a placid pool upon which ducks
are contentedly swimming.
Two very beautiful canvases are the marine
rivers, taken from New York Bay. In one
we see stately ship ''making land" The
in the sky, and the simmer on the waves is
given with fine effect. In the other, there is
huge rock jutting so big h that dark cloud
seems to rest upon its crest. Behind the
cloud IS the moon, its presence only indicated
by the rich tints that it lends to the borders
of the cloud. These pieces fully establish
Mr.. McIlhenney's talent for color and chiaro-
0scu70.
The ''Old Log Cabin" is certain to find
many admirers. 1t represents a deserted hut
small, lone and picturesque. A great part
of the merit of this work consists in the co.,
scientious and graceful elaboration of the
detail.
The s'Scene in Cumberland" has clear.
blue lake in the foreground, bordered by ma
jestic trees, whose reflection in the water is
painted. The prospective is ex-
cellent, the scene broadening out until it
meets the mountains beyond and fades away
in the distance.
'Early Spring. is noticeable for the warm
misty atmosphere that seems to pervade it,
20 artistically done that you imagine you feel
he moisture arising from the luxuriant growth
If vegetation. The fresh look on vine and
lower and shrub On the bank of the pebbly
brook is suggestive of the warm spring SUM-
hine that tints the whole scene.
"The Wood PATH is a meritorious bit of
oloring of lighter shades. The path leads
nto wood along the border of lake, on
whose shore is moored row. boat, seemingly
be property of the wanderers that are lazily
altering flowers. The STOPPING posture of
ne of the figures is well done.
Steamer Yellowstone Disaster
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