Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1886-04-22
GEMS OF AkT.
Rare Portraits of Our society
Ladies by N Famous Artist.

Rare Portraits of Our society
Ladies by N Famous Artist.
The art Of painting a lady's portrait
true to nature is tire most delicate and
exalted accomplishment Of a great ar
fist. OF the six famous portrait painters
in America only two have mastered the
requirements of a perfect portrayal Of
women in all tue sublime beauty be-
slowed on them by nature. One of these
is MIR. Albert jerks, whose name is
| identified with the most superb produce
| tions Of art ON the Pacific Coast. For
years this finished artist has given the
best inspirations Of his ambition to this
difficult phase Of portrait painting, and
the reward of constant study and appli-
cation is beautifully displayed in the
lovely pictures ON exhibition at his studio
10 the Baker block. A love for art, a
love for nature In all its varied phases
ennobles man and softens the harsh ele-
ments Of his being into admiration of
beauty, even when portrayed on canvas.
To study the work Of Mr.. jerks and
note the genius OF the artist in every
line and hue, promotes an intense and IN
describable delight the in observer and
leaves an impression ON the mind that
even nature, in this instance, is subser-
Went to her subject. As a painter Of
ladies' portraits Mr.. jerks is unexcelled
in this country and some of our best
known ladies have ayailed themselves CT
his presence in Los Angeles to
secure a family portrait from the brush
of one Of Americas great artists.
Among the pictures at Mr.. jerks
studio in progress of completion, HER.
AID reporter noticed yesterday fine
ly executed picture OF Mrs. Stephen M.
White. The sui jectisreproduced Uneven
ing dress, the neck and arms displayed.
A profusion of Spanish lace surmounted
with q row OF pearls surrounds the neck,
each tiny thread pereeptible, and the
whole imbued with n soft, yellow tone
clear as amber. Beneath the delicate
folds, pink satin close.iitting dress Is
depicted q most natural similitude. The
arms are gracefully shown in perfect
pose, each vein being observable beneath
the pink flesh. In opposition to flesh
tones, the great masters have always in
troduced white or laces, for the purpose
of giving value to the flesh lines. The
subject has complexion filed withcolor
and brilliancy, the face is bright and
piqusnt in expression, in contour of the
French type, beautifully executed and
the lines about the mouth suggest life
itself, while in the eyes the naturalness
is 80 intense that her every thought
seems laid bare for inspection. The col
ors are all blended in one harmonious
portrayal OF the original aud it would be
hard to detect single line purposely
placed there for its intended impression
upon the observer. Another fine work
is the portrait of Mrs. Geo. E. Gard, of
the Madonna type, excellently modelled,
superb in likeness and beautiful in con-
ception. All the intricate lights
and shadows of the hair amid the nat
ural waves back from the forehead, are
the production Of a genius unapproach-
able. The neck and arms are exposed,
while around the shoulders is dainty
lie Of lace fastened by medallion pin,
SO perfectly executed that it appears to
be the original fastened TO the canvas.
The dress is royal purple velvet, each
fibre Of the cloth being plainly visible.
Around the throat is diamond neck
lace in all its original brilliancy, and
the impression is made that gems are
absolutely there. The rare strength OF
expression about the eyes characterizes
this picture as in all others, and it is a
complete work of the masters art.
The portrait OF Mrs Charles Rutan
is beautifully finished, and the same fine
points are given as in the other pictures.
There are also portraits OF Mrs. Judge
Brunson, Mrs. g. Wiley Wells, Mrs. Pla.
ter and other prominent ladies of Los
Angeles. These portraits, though in the
first stages of completion, promise to be
gems OF art, and they will soon add to
the array of beauty now on exhibition
at Mr.. jerks studio. Our citizens
should not fail to improve the occasion
of great artists presence and secure
family portrait that will exist years after
the original has passed away, and prove
a Joy in moments of mourning for the
departed