Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-12-18
ART AND ARTISTS.

A6A AND nm
The history Of fine art painting in tLis
country does not extend over a very long
period of time. But few years at most;
but in that brief period the progress of
landscape painting and the representation of
nature on convsss, china. brass and silk, has
been remarkable.
Fifty years ago fine arts and great artists
were associsted in our minds with Italy, but
now the United States boasts some Of the
best artists in the world. Men and women
who have made their mark in Naples, Paris
and Rome.
In the early stages of our history, the de-
velopment of the resources Of he coil and
mine absorbed all other considerations, and
all our energies were directed towards the
building up of home for ourselves and our
families. The facilities for education were
meagre and the generations of young
Americans grew up amid coarse and COM
mon-place surroundings not at all favorable
TO the cultivation of refinement and art
Our homes were unadorned, and only
the rudiments and mathematics were taught
wealth and the giant strides in culture and
refinement that have characterized our coun-
try during the last quarter of a century
comes q taste for adornment and embeliish-
ment which stimulates the study of art and
every thing that follows in the train of lux
ury and ease. The building Of elegant
homes by our wealthy men has created q
demand for hne art adornment and Ameri-
can enterprise has determined ia meet this
demand. It has become matter of motor
iety that our surroundings at present are
peculiarly well adapted to the production Of
artists. The large number Of American art
lists of recognized ability who have come
into prominence in foreign countries in the
last decade, attest the fact that art has found
a congenial home in our own lond. Scarce
ly steamer leaves our shores for the Old
World that does not bear from one to half
dozen artists, who 60 abroad to sketch in
the mountains of Switzerland and Italy, and
ohC SohuOS uhAC y SuhLncN CASdiSaoh w sbc
Rocky mountains, the Pacific slope, or in the
Catskills, or along the Mowhawk or the
Hudson, without encountering several
knights of the brush.
Art schools are becoming quite numerous
all over our country and our own city is not
behind in this respect. We have three or
more good artists and one really good art
school, viz.,that of Miss Emily Jekyll at No.
438 Topeka avenue,a visit to which will con-
vince any connoisseur that our people need
not go beyond our own city for household
ornaments of this character.
While the reporter was examing the Tabor
collection now on exhibition in this city, Mr..
Wilkin, the manager, who is an artist of ex-
perience said: "You have one lady in your
city who is an artist of fine ability and who
you will find will make her mark" These
remarks caused the reporter TO visit Miss
Jekyll's studio yesterday, and in half
hours examination of its contents he was
satisfied that As soon as this lsdy's ability
becomes thoroughly known there will be
little need for any one to bring works of art
here for sale, nor will there be any need for |
those desiring lessons in art to 60 abroad.
Columns could be written in describing the |
large collection of specimens of her work to |
be seen in her studio. One cannot spend
half hour in this lady's company and |
listen to her talk on art and nature |
without being impressed with her clear con-
ception of the beautiful in nature. You
could not fail to be convinced that che is q
true artist, and again her handiwork displays |
such minuteness in reproduction as to re-
semble nature itself. When the reporter |
left the cosy little studio he felt that he had |
acquired lesson in art in that half hour |
which taught him more of that subject than
all he had learned in his life before. which |
he considers is excellent evidence that Miss |
Jekyll possesses the ability not only to paint |
but TO teach. In her studio is certificate |
Of the first class from the Cooper Union Art |
School, New York city, and another from |
the Chicago Art School. She has also |!
worked with the best artists in the country.
When this lady's ability becomes known in |
this city she will undoubtedly have large |
classes. After leaving the studio the re-
porter saw one of Miss Jekyll's specimens |
in Harry Stewards window. 1t is serene |
piece painted from nature and represents |
collection of Illinois prairie flowers. 1t is u
beauty. To enter into the merits of the col |
lection at her studio would occupy more
space and time than is at the disposal Of the |
writer. One must pay a visit in order to
obtain an idea of her work and ability to