National Republican., 1888-03-18
SEVERAL GEMS or ART,
Unique and Beautiful, the Work of a
Former vashingtonian.


Some ten years since well-known lady
of Washington, whose husband, Mr.. o. ID.
Barrett, is the law partner of Gen. Ben
Butler, determined to pursue the study of
art under the best of masters, being en-
couraged to believe that she had rare tai
ent in that direction.
Mrs. Barrett (who is best known by her
nom de plume of "Sappho'') went abroad,
and set about developing this talent gift
under the tutorship Of the best masters,
She now revisits her home, bringing
with her a miniature picture gallery as
specimens of her success and the result
Of her labors, which adorn the walls of
her parlors at the National Hotel, and
which lovers of art are invited to inspect
The six small landscapes in oil from
Mrs. Barretts easel are veritable gems
They present no broad treatment, nor
touches for effect, but the detail work is
exquisite in its fidelity to nature, and the
pictures will bear close inspection without
dctriment to their beauty. Four Of the
six are summer scenes in Switzerland;
the two larger ones being views on the
Seine. near Paris.
Mrs. Barrett exhibits half dozen ecrans
or French screens of light blue silk, with
gilt frames and handles; on these ecrans
are painted in aquarelle charming por-
lIullS, Oht vi luul l,tilh, VI VIC
Franchise, in the garb of Faust" one of
Miss Nom johnson, of Ohio, who took
vocal instruction in Paris of Nine. de Ia
Grange. Miss j. is represented as seated ut
u window, shaded by vines and flowers,
listening to the song of her Gagged canary
as though to learn therefrom. The faces
of beautiful children adorn other screens.
In tapestry painting of Gobelin blue is n
charming represention of cupids chasing
butterflies. On porcelain Mrs Barrett cx-
hibits large cabinet portrait of Gen. Ben.
Butler, which is very finely executed and
an admirable likeness, and is elegantly
framed in plush embroidered album. A
large porcelain PLAGUE shows piquant
picture of a little miss of four years In
Mammals Clothes" On china Mrs. Bar
rett has dozen or more plates enriched
by the most perfect portraits of historical
characters. Centered in blue plush pal
ette. on porcelain, is n lovely portrait of
the beautiful daughter of Senator Mitchell
Miss Matte Mitchell.
The most charmingly unique and per-
feet of Mrs. Barrett's work, perhaps are
the fans, some twenty in number, whereon
are painted in aquerelle the tiniest, yet
most perfect, portraits than can be imag-
ined. One can scarcely, without seeing
them, deem it possible that one fold
on panel of fan could contain a
perfectly finished portrait. Yet not only
is this done, but by reason of landscape
or interior surroundings and accessories
the portraits are made idealistic.
Among the more notable specimens is
one of Mr.. j. II. Stewart, consul at Ant
werp, and is pronounced q perfect likeness.
Mr.. Stewart is deineated as leaning against
a balustrade, beneath the shade of a large
tree, and charming sea view is in the dis
tancc.
The late Mrs. Stewart, wife OF the consul,
nfh I've nd
was with her in Paris when she was select
ing her bridal trousseau. This fan was
intended as a surprise giftto Mrs. S., whose
death occurred before il was completed.
Another charming view painted on tint
of blue fan presents portrait of Rev. DR..
Hitchcock, who was pastor of the Ameri-
can chapel in Paris, and to the left of the
portrait is given picturesque view of the
gray stone church where DR.. Byron Sun
derland, of this city, officiated for several
years. .,-, .t.,..
Among the original ideal scenes por-
trayed on fans of delicate tinted silk ana
fine boiling cloiktisa q marriage scene, the
figures paintp: entirely in white and tints
| of blue.
A charming domestic scene in colors
| pictures the lover at the window peeping
| in at his inam0ritd, who, oil unconscious
| of his gaze, sits at her sewing. Tie same
| in black and white is even prettier.
| In black and white, also, is a beautiful
ideal of Marguerite.
| A maiden in gauze attircl swinging on q
grapevine might well bel termed Sweet
idleness'-and the flower girls in market
is charmingly real A bunch of violets
makes one long to carry them away, but
the delicacy of coloring and finish of all
Mrs. Barretts work in aquarelle is so
utterly indescribable that art connoisseurs
and lovers of art should take the
opportunity of calling at the Ma
tional, where Mrs. Barrett will be glad to
meet them and exhibit her work. Fridays
especially she win be pleased to sec ladies
and gentlemen who are interested in art
She returns to Paris in few weeks for an
indefinite length time.
EMILY THORNTON CHARLES.