Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-12


Perhaps this fine fall weather is intoxicating
to ones spirit, since the shops Of all kinds never
looked more attractive. Groups Of colors be-
wilder the eye at every step. Windows of dress
fabrics, china displays florists millinery, house
decorations-all so gay, so eastern in yellows,
reds, blues and green's, that one turns with sim
cere delight to the picture galleries, where we
find bits Of nature that refresh as well as charm
our sense Of harmony.
In q very choice collection found two fine
productions of Adrien Moreaus skllful BRUSH
one representing ga Silver Wedding" the other
'The Marriage Contract" Both are full of
finely painted figures, costumed in the time Of
Louis XIII. stiff with brocades whose figures
seemed actually to stand out from the SATIN, in
velvets rich in lights and shades, withal, each
SO well posed that they all found q telling
position. Moreau studies the accessories Of his
pictures 30 well that costume to its most trivial
part Is historically correct and kept jealousy
apart in large wardrobes in his studio.
new artist, Ida, Of Paris. has q gem IN q
small picture representing an "Odalisque,
eastern rug in the melIowest tones, over part Of
which is tiger skin. Her Dress Of thin black
and gold f1ecked gauze, disclOses the round
form of an oriental beauty, against q back
ground of glazed blue and green tiles, wonder
fully treated All this richness of detail is kept
80 well in tone by greys that his success as
genre painted seems assured.
A fine landscape, by 'Renouf,' next caught
our eye. After all it was merely q cabbage
garden outside grey wall, with gables topped
with red. showing above, but so well done, each
leaf curled over proudly, fresh with the dew and
their beauty Of cool greens.
The wonder Of this collection, however, is
'Mmkacsy' pronounced Monkatchy). It Is so
seen here that it is worth a description. 1t is a
Hungarian landscape. representing stretch of
meadow. through which runs q stream utilized
by peasants for their washtub. To the left
Is the road running past a turfed-rOofed hut, q
background of tall poplar trees showing out
strong against dying sun In the sky. One has
to step far back get the right light, and remind
oneself that it is the great Munkacsy to find
words of praise So broadly treated is it that
at first sight you recognize good broad smear
tall trunks, the tops of which appear to have
been tarred and feathered. Further of stands
one which is the portrait of an inverted, long
handled brush. The figures might be phantoms
but for strong touch of light on their white
head-dress. The road alone is realistic; it must
have been painted with brush full Of mud.
Notwithstanding. the picture grows on you. and
in time you discover the master hand which has
powerfully portrayed his own native land, with
its weird, poetic scenery. That it is appreciated
the second day of its exhibition, SO 900 was paid
for it. It is little above medium size.
Munkacsy's great work, "Christ before Plate"
might find its way to this country If he does not
get frightened by the new tariff.
This new law putting high duties upon for
eign works of art, is going. by the way, to inter-
fere sadly with the importation of good pictures.
to the regret of the originators the public and
native artists. A prominent dealer told me
it was most unpopular, as Americans want the
study Of the European schools, and instead of
their crOwding out our artists they teach us how
to appreciate their cleverness. No one will buy
poor picture. either, because he cannot get
better. Or the foreign schools the French are
the most largely represented in this country,
Munich next, German next, the Italian least OF
all.
The Americans, let me add can be justly
proud of their young generation Of painters.
Bruce Crane, for instance, is ever fresh and
spring-lke in his landscapes. Bolton Jones has
to look to his laurels that his ambitious brother,
F. C. Jones, does not surpass him. Wyant is
steadily improving. So is Smith. with his love-
ly marines. Wordsworth Thompson, who grows
stronger yearly, and many others too numerous
to mention. All Of them are busy now in their
studios for the exhibition to be opened shortly,
and which bids fair to exceed any OF the pre-
vious years. NJ l.. K.