Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-10-21
"PONYo IN PAINT,
An Artistic Painting by Gifted Sc. Paul
Lady.


An Artistic Painting by Gifted Sc. Paul
Lady.
| For several days past the show window
of Stevens & Robertson's store on east
Third street. has been surrounded by sd
mirIng citizens whose attention was ar-
rested and whose gaze has been charmed
by rare work of art here on exhibition.
In considering work of art there are
but two broad principles to
follow: One, does it approach
the beautiful and thereby awaken the sense
of admiration, reverence or delight as
the subject is adapted to call forth either
of these emotions; the other, does the ar
fist simulate or counterfeit nature, the lat
ter being the test of all real merit in art.
In the consideration of the present subject
the writer happily is called upon
to apply the latter reference.
The picture is study from life, being
the portrait of a familiar figure in the
humble walks of action in st. Paul, and
the gifted and deserving young artist could
notsha selected better subject to dem
onstrate her perfect claim to place in
the first rank Of artists in this or any
other city.
The subject is colored..w wood sawyer, ia
miliarly known in st. Paul as ''Pony," and
the artist, who has thus asserted her claim
to distinction, is Miss Julia Gautier, of
this city, a young lady who has worked
hard at her chosen profession, and who
has already remained too long in obscurity.
Pony" was slave in the early portion
of his life and is decided character. His
no Sc Nd. A.Ix q I
masters. lie belonged to sporting
man, and for years was the most famous
Jockey rider known upon southern race
tracks. He always rode to win. He fed
to Canada prior to the war to obtain his
freedom, and when the rebellion occurred
joined the union army.
Is is an easy matter for less gifted art
lists to put On canvas the tints and colors
of beautiful things, for even harmony of
tone and color will look woll if only
properly daubed, but.it is difficult to take
SO humble q subject and make the canvas
shine with life, SO that all shall gaze in
establishment at the presentiment of ma
ture.
That Miss Gauthier has succeeded in
doing this is attested By the hundreds of
citizens who have seen the painting last
week, many Of whom know the subject.
The figure is nearly full length and the
honest form. of "Pony" is represented in
the garb in which he has been SO often
seen at work. Over his shoulders is
thrown horse and buck-saw, while his left
hand carries his axe, and from the top
of his right boot peeps file.
The old hat, drab shirt, faded neck-hand-
kerchlef, red scarf at the waist, and trous-
ers with the homely and honest patch in
the knee, are all natural, perfect to the
life. The beauty. Of tks work is the
expression in the face; this is perfection;
the tawny skin, lines and wrinkles
of the face, feshSQtinss, contour
Of the mouth, beard and
eyes are all to the life, andEin looking at
the familiar and homely face one almost
expects it to speak. The work is one that
reflects Infinite credit upon the artist, and
st. Paul, the citizens of which may con-
graduate themselves upon possessing in
their midst portrait artist who with
any kind of a chance on earth,
Will make her mark and rank with the
greatest living. This is sail talk, bat an
inspection of the present work, and then a
call Oh the subject, who lives in our midst,
will prove it.
The work alone should be the means of
giving the worthy young artist orders aor
portraits that would keep her employed
for year or two.