The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-07-29
WOMEN PAINTERS.

Tire art department of The Californian
for August contains a sensible criticism
Of the claim so frequently made by men
that "wOmen are naturally unqualified
to become great artists-that is, to at
tain as great excellence as lies within
the power Of the other sex" The art
editor is unbiased, ard says the fact that
history has not furnished the names Of
feminine Raphaels or Angeles is no
proof aud no argument in favor OF the
claim. He supplements this assertion
in these words:
The injustice Of the claim is at once appar-
ent, since "A glance at the past reveals the i'm
possibility OF their ever having entered the
lists as competitors for art and fame, on ac-
count OF the many restrictions put upon them
socially, and the unchivalrous notions Of their
iuferiority that IL was the custom TO entertain
formerly. In these modern progressive and
more enlightened days, those restrictions have
been greatly removed, and woman has begun
TO assert herself In manner that is rapidly
gaining for Ler an Acknowledgements OF equal
capacity with man in many departments from
which she was formerly excluded. Especially
in art has she demonstrated her capabilities
not only as decorator, but in the higher
branch ofpicture- II is true the world
has yet produced but the one Rosa Bonheur
and the one Mrs. Elizabeth Butler; but when
we cons der that hardly one out Of hundred
male artists acquires more than national rep
utation, we have no reason 10 exact a greater
proportion Of genius from the limited ranks Of
woman artists. Especially in the last few
years have women asserted their powers The
Magazine OF Art." in a London article enti-
tied Pictures OF the Year" bestows the great
est praise upon Mrs. Buffers picture, "The
Defense OF Rorke's Drin," a historical Incident
Of the Zulu war, lately on exhibition at the
Bond-sireet gallery OF the Society OF Fine Arts
Considering the fact that Mrs. Buffers picture
was exhibited in direct competition with an-
other on the same subject, painted by the
famous French artist, VI. de Neuvilie. her work
must have been of a very superior order TO ex-
cite any kind OF favorable criticism. The
writer, however, goes farther than this In
comparing the two, he says, "his tDe Neu-
ville',l may be pronounced 10 be more pic
ioriai, hers To be more intensely characteristics;
his executive dash is supreme. but more vivid
and igniic,nt is her reserved power" Further
on, he spe al.s - the competition as having
been very ciose one, and Of great interest to
the public. At the Grosvenor Gallery. IL Lon
don, This year, nearly one-fourth OF the con-
tri5uto-s are women; and in the French salon
"a large numheroi the sex is also represented. u
rhay be gratifying 10 Americans 10 know that
among the latter AN American lady, Miss f. ].
Gardiner, occupies the foremost place, having
a picture ON the line which is hIglfy spoken
of. In our numerous American schools. Lady
pupils preponderate, and many Of them dis
play talent or these, only few viii acquire
much Skill; hut probably that mum ber will be
sufficient, proportionately, 20 prove that their
capabilities are in no sense inferior 20 those OF
the opposite sex