Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-12-06
A Riuing Toung Artist.

going on IN the country at large, and
ia Memphis particularly, ia regard to
art matters. The Standards of public
taste have been greatly elevated, and
there arc more people than ever be-
fore who know the difference between
an oil painting and a chrome, between
good pictures and bad ones. This
taste is innate in most people for the
love Of the beautiful by intelligent
beings is natural, yet the conditions
for its development aud enjoyment
are not always favorable. In this
werk.s-day life the masses look more
after practical things than the ideal
istic, %unless, indeed, the latter may be
supposed to contain the elements aud
the attractive qualities Of profit and
distinction. Even then it is not every
one that cIn succeed; only a small per
centage of the human race can rise to
greatness, even 10 any field of effort
Yet in this great free country and pro.
gressive age it is demonstrated on
every hand that earnest. conscientious
endeavor is almost certain to secure
recognition, encouragement and re-
ward.
The South has not contributed
much to the picture galleries and
salons Of the world, Jet there is a.
much talent here as in any part of the
world and avsst 6eldye e to be worked.
It is pleasing to notice the develop
ment Of native talent, and to see that
it is encouraged and to an extent
never knowu before is sustained. 1t
would he a surprise to publish the
number Of studios, art teachers and
pupils and patrons in this city. 1t
would be surprising if all the really
good pictures and articles Of virtue in
this city could be arranged in one
public building, thrown open to the
public, aud still more Of surprise Il
ali the creditable new work could b.
grouped together 10 one distinct de
partmeut. Some efforts in this direc
ton have been made, and although
imperfect in arrangement and sym
metry, we're in a large degree crowned
with success.
Some Of our artists have gone
abroad to study in the atmosphere
that surround the works Of the Old
Masters; others have gone to the met
rOpOlitan cities, supposed to be art
oenters, and still others have worked
and wrought ct home as did the first
great painters who, having No higher
masters, cOmmuned with themselves
and With nature. All have done we'll
as far as may be judged by the results
that have come to light, and have good
reason to 60 on in a courSe so we'll
begun Among those who have taken
to art work from a love art itself and
an intuition Of its true PRINCIPLES, is
Miss Mary SOlari, a quiet, r%esolute
young lady. from the land Of classic
painting and ststuary, Of lovely skies
and grsndest temples of art. Her
earlier opportunities we're not the
best, but she has proved that where
there is a will there is a way Without
any special encouragement she has
gone on in her work here and in other
cities until she need no longer feel
abashed when critics eyes are turned
upon the productions of her brush. A
specimen Of her portrait painting, lett
to be framed, can be seen at Wright's
picture frame establishment. 1t is a
picture Of a we'll known gentleman
connected with the press, and is recog-
nizsd at once by all who know him as
s likeness drawn by a bold and skill
full hand. If it Aatters him, it is not
because Of soft blending Of lights aud
shades or the smoothing out Of angles
and characteristic features, but rather
because the work is honest and the
face looks out from the canvas in a
natural, realistic sort Of fashion. The
picture gives fair promise of what the
young lady can do if she continues to
labor in the line she has chosen. She
has capabilities in other branches Of
art, but we cannot help thinking and
suggesting that portrait painting is her
special forte, aud that IN il she will
find the greatest satisfaction and
highest reward eventually.
We speak Of this as an instance Of
what may be accomplished by one who
has worthy purpose in life, and as an
illustration Of the fact that we have
much talertofa high order in our midst
as well as people Of taste, culture and
means who appreciate such things and
are ready to patroniEe all that is de-
serving Of their favor. Miss Solari
lately returned from Nashville, and
will devote herself to the canvas and
brush.
ANOTHER Tennassaaan has oono