Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-02-19
THE EVENING STAR.
DOUBLE SHEET
SATlrRDAY...,.F
ART NOTES.

LIE
ART NOTES.
Mr. T. A. Bridgman will be the subject of
the leading article In the March number OF the
Art Andte'tr, which will be profusely nlustra-
ted with special drawings by the artist himself
1.-THE Last Spike" is painting by Mr..
Thomas Hill, 144xs6. now shown in San Fran
cisco. 1t represents the driving OF the last
spike On the overland railway in May OF 1869
Out OF several hundred figures no less than ~
are portraits.
There are more than one thousand con-
testants for the prizes offered by Prang g. Co.
for the best designs for their Christmas card for
the next holiday season.. 1t is understood that
several artists Of established reputation are
among the competitors.
The portrait OF Washington by Pe (which
the government is requested to buy has been
placed temporarily In the Directors Room Of
the Coz coran Gallery. 1t is in no condition to
exhibit and as 1t stands Is not likely TO impress
any one as being of much interest as portrait
or OF very great value as work of art.
The Spring Exhibition OF the Pennsylvania
Academy OF Fine Arts will open Monday, April
4th, and continue until Monday May 3Oth.-a
perlod OF eight weeks During this time sales
OF works may be made, but no work mentioned
in the cal alogue can be removed until after the
close OF the exhibition.
The artists who have studios in Vernon
Row propose to ho.d an Exhibition Reception
In a suitable loom in that building next MOI day
evening. Contributions are promised also by
Weyl and Kindleberger. and perhaps from some
other painters not dOm!cfled there and tt is
both intended and expected that the proposed
display shall be In every way creditable one.
In the hourishing age OF art they are said
to have pracuced at Ephesus clever trick on
among number of competing statues shonid
be accepted. Each sculptor was asked which
statue he thought was the best-after his own.
Al agreed that. next to their respective figures,
the statue by POlykleitOs was the best. PIiny.
me hander- down OF this veracious tale, says
that the subject was wounded Amazon and
one OF the competitors Pheidias.
- 1t Is pretty hard to define what Is neces-
sary to make an art critic, and perhaps the
essentials can never be exactly formulated; but
some OF the requisites, as follows: " Common
sense, IN the first place; careful observation
OF nature. In the second place, combined with
well, and when badly, simulated In art: and in
the third place, a disposition to be lust and NOT
TOO punct1lious. Enough poetry In the soul to
appreciate idealism, and some knowledge of
technique, are presupposed OF course, though
the latter is not necessary In the highest de-
gree, for man may be able to appreciate and
crltlcise painting even If he does not know how
10 paint, just as he may analyze poetry though
he may not be able to write verses
While the present winter has been one OF
unusual severity, meteorologically considered,
those interested in picture sales have had
nothing to complain OF. The number of sales
has never been greater In New York In any
The same thing has been observable In Wash
1ngton, though In smaller degree. OF course
the pictures sold here are as nothing compared
to the collections sold In New York. either In
quantity, quality or proceeds realized. Still.
taking artistic merit into account the figures
TeallZed mere were ABOUT as high relatively as
there. Indeed at one OF the sales last week
have surprised as We'll as gratifed their owner,
and some OF them have gone into houses where
most persons would naturally look for works OF
art OF much higher grade.
The Corcoran Gallery has recently added
TO It's collection very attractive picture by
Mr.. Carl c. Bremen, OF Louisville 1t is entl
tied IAN Early June Afternoon" and repre-.
sents a close or interior view of Kentucky
loWland beech forest, with pretty little bit OF
lively young In art Mr.. Bremen is one OF the
few men we know who Is willing to 90 far
enough and yet does not go too far In repro
duclng me peculiar green OF that season OF the
year and OF the rich growths OF that particular
locality AS 1t Is, 1t may strike those not famil-
lar With the time and region which the picture
portrays as little too intense in color; but 1t
is true to nature, nevertheless; and the mellow
Ing touch OF time Will soon leave no ground for
objection on that score from any quarter. The
picture Is very cleVerly painted throughout,
preted.
Huntington's portrait or Mrs Hayes, which
Is being painted for the Women's National
Temperance Union, is nearly completed, aud is
considered Dy critics TO exhibit the artist at his
eesf, which. as many persons believe, Is In
iemaie portTaituTe. The picture Is full length
aid life SIZE. and represents MS. Hayes sta1d-
Ing In the open air, On terrace, WITH a faint
landscape In the background. In the fore
ground Is a portion OF drinking fountain. on
one side OF which is panel In baS relief, repre
Senting female figure leaning on q water-vase
lyfig On its side, from Which flows a stream or
the liquid, symbolic OF temperance. The dress
is MAROON velvet, with train. and full rich lace
trimming On the elbOw-sleeves and square-cut
! eek The only ornament is slender neck
lace OF god, with cameo medallion OF Presi-
oeht Hayes for pendant. A small bunch or
tea roses Is In one hand and with the other the
folds Of the dress are gracefully held back the
picture Is pronounced not only a faithful like
ness OF the distinguished sitter, reproducing
her strong face, bright expression and COM
handing figure, but as work OF art a most
striking and worthy ornament to the Executive
MANSION. Wnere IL Is intended that it shall be
placed as testimonial to Mrs. Hayes efforts IN
behalf OF temperance While she was It's occu-
pant. The picture is to be engraved, and a
print Is to be furnished to every person who
has contributed five dollars to the fund
The weakest department OF the admirable
Loan Exhibition now open in the old historical
Tayloe mansion Is that devoted to the fine arts
proper. The paintings on view are as a rule.
good enough,-some of them are indeed of a
very high order Of excellence, but there are
not enough OF them. There Is too much OF the
wall On exhibition, ii the remark may be per-
mi;ted. This result Is disappointing, and great.
ly 10 be regretted; but 1t Is hardly surprising
The explanation We suppose to be that persons
who own valuable paintings and there are many
such In Washington are exceedingly averse
to letting them 60 out Of their possession, not
only On account OF the greater risk of injury or
loss thereby, but because 1t is Impossible to
properly fill the vacant spaces thus left on their
walls. This objection we understand met The
committee IN many quarters where they eX-
pected iD portant contributions and. under the
circumstances, the gentlemen composing tt are
perhaps to be congratulated that they are able
10 make as good showing az they do. SUI,
as we have said. the comparative scarcity Of
paintings Is none the less to be regretted. Nor
does the excuse for 1t seems to be quite sui.
ncient. The danger OF damage or destruction
is not nearly as great as most people suppose;
and 1t Is a gracious thing II not an absolute
duty on the part OF those who possess objects
OF beauty and interest to let them serve occa-
sionally, even at some little Inconvenience to
themselves, as means OF gratifying and I'm
proving the taste OF the public
TOVynshend and German.
1t Is remarkable fact, but strictly in keep
Ing With the peculiar institutions and customs
OF this country, that man who In years gone