Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-03-04
PORTRAITS OF EUROPE.

brush daintily over the canvas with re-
markable ease and rapidity, he spoke
enthusiastically of his art, and readily
explained the secrets OF producing a
great picture. He said the first effect
to be obtained is the relief, by delicate
transparency and depth of shadows,
then comes the soft grays between the
flesh tones and shadows, followed by
the carnation tints of pure and luminous
colors. Yet with all these the picture
is of no account unless an exact individ
uality is produced.
To watch the artist and study his
subject on the canvas one may see
that each stroke of the brush
has meaning and brings out the very
point for which it is made. By long
practice and the gift Of
BORN PORTRAIT PAINTER
he models his work with the precision
of sculptor and seldom passes over
point once made toward the completion
of his work. The present collection of
pictures in his studio is composed of
local subjects. and on every side may be
seen our prominent citizens true to life,
each one recognizable by his own indi.
viduolity, though all are different in de-
tail and finish.
In conspicuous corner stands mag
nifoent portrait, surrounded by q
massive gilt fame, of
HON. G. WILEY WELLS.
it is three.quarter length picture and
represents the subject sitting on large
chair at table, showing a library in the
background. 1t is characteristic pic.
ture OF the man, the pose being perfect
ly natural, and in the exquisitely
wrought colors there is vigor
of EXPIRE ssion that gives activi-
ty to the picture itself. In the
perfect portrayal of the face there is
transparency which even shows the col
oring beneath the skin and the whole
anatomy is life like even to the faintest
vein of the hands. The strength of the
picture is maintained through all the
details surrounding the central figure and
is wrought out so that the most minute
object in the picture is as carefully ex.
pressed and developed as il it was one of
the main features. Yet in all these
gems of art in no instance has he allowed
the surroundings or details to detract
from the main figure or subject.
The work of Mr.. jerks is particularly
noticeable in the manner of his use of
paints on the canvas and his pictures
are not necessarily influenced by con-
trary lights, for it makes no difference
from what position you view the picture
it is as strong and vigorous from one
point as another. In all his pictures it
will be noticed that the execution as well
as the use of colors has been done by
such skillful hand, one can scarcely
discern that they are colors which pro-
duce the light and shade in the picture.
There are very few artists who
can embody all the details of
picture and present them prominently
before the eye and preserve the general
effect of the picture. In the portraiture
of anatomy Mr.. jerks has no equal, as
is evinced by his life likeness of the
chronological parts and the hands,
which are conceded by all artists 20 be
the most difficult things in nature to
paint.
In all his pictures he has skin tint
which seems to be original with himself,
and it is so delicate and harmonious in
blending and shadows that the cutice
shows plainly. This is something all
great artists are striving to obtain and
wherein a majority of them have failed.
There is a dissimilarity OF color in the
flesh tone of every picture, yet the in
dividuality of each is retained, and he
excels in attention to these details, no
part being better than the other. He
does not strive to be making picture,
but to give individuality to the person.
Next to the portrait of Mr.. Wells is
fine portrait of the late
MIR. J. L. HoLLENBRCK,
which has been pronounced by all our To-
cal art critics, and many personal friends
of Mr.. Hollenbeck, to be the most real
istio and complete work OF art ever dis
played in Los Angeles. 1t is three
quarter length picture, and the likeness
is wonderfully reproduced. The subject
seems about to speak, and there is so
much animation portrayed in the ex-
preston of the eyes that they startle
one by their naturaness, and appear to
move by the various refractions of light
and shadow.
A picture, just finished and eneased
in an elegant frame, of
MIR. WILLIAM II. PERRY,
is particularly fine in coloring and ex.
ecution, and seems to stand ont from
the cauva' into the very man himself,
Mr.. Perry, the artist considers n fine
subject for picture, and he has truly
done him justice, for nothing has been
omitted to give individuality to the
portrait Another excellent art souvenir
Of rare value is the portrait of
MIR. REM NADEAU,
Oar citizens interested in art should
not fail to see how true to nature the
hand OF an artist can be. The sub
ject absolutely looks as though he sat
in large chair in the room, the whole
effect devised by an almost colorless
background. A picture of
MRS. d. G. STEPHENS
attracts great admiration and is partic
ularIy well modelled. 1t is a full length
portrait, the position being eIsy and
graceful. Every detail OF the dress and
ornaments is exact and the shadows so
exquisite that the slightest fold is per-
ceptible. This is one of Mr. jerks
most difficult pictures, and its perfect
are able to appreciate the skill that
must have been exercised to produce
such grand results. On an easel, in
process of completion, is a very pictur-
esque portrait of
DIR. }. S. GRIFFIN,
and its great merit will be recognized
by all who may call at the studio and
note its perfections. The grey hair and
beard contrast beautifully with the warm
tones of the flesh and the cool grey
tones of the background, and it is
a picture upon which the eye may pause
aud never cease to admire and the mind
revel without fear of safety. The pic
ture Of
MAYOR L. =. SPENCE
is fine likeness and identical with the
subject. Those who have seen the por-
Il ait pronounce it a perfect reproduction