Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-04-04
The yyaggaman Collection.

One OF the destinations or the study OF the fine
arts is tie appearance OF the artist in unexpected
quarters, the cropping up of the amateur in places
the least favorable TO the evolution CT the art
lover. Men whose education and profession pre-
pare them for the position OF co0aoScente often
Iail OF the true spirit, whilst business men, who
have 10 do with dreary 1gures and commercial
transactions little calculated TO develop the
esthetic sense, are found TO have arrived from
modest beginnings at that finer understanding OF
The beauty OF things or ART which Is denied to
persons more favoraby situated.
Mr.. Thomas e Wagg aInan is one of those collectors
from whom much may be expected because their
efforts are the treSt and best expression OF Amert-
can civic lie. Without attempting TO make social
capital OF his art treasures. without LAYING the
slghiest claim to being an expert in art, he
quietly gathers together paintings and Old china,
inspired By two thoughts, pleasure in possessing
such objects ana desire TO benefit his friends BY
allowing them TO profit by his good taste. His
collections are yet in embryo so far as he him.
self IS concerned, for he purposes TO extend and
improve them as he purilies his own taste by
further stuIy, but already ne Is preparing to let
others have the beneht OF what he enjoys Dy card
OF invitation from 10 p. IN. on THURSDAY next
and on certain days afterward, allowing the pub.
lie TO study his treasures, the admission fee being
given 90 the Society OF ST. Vincent de Paul for
poor OF his parish.
Though Mr.. Waggaman's pictures are well
worthy OF remark Tor the present only the oriental
pottery and porcelain can be noted. As the wall
space IN the gallery is limited, he has devised
method OF using for these the sectloLs below
which paintings are not seen at their best. but
where ceramics can be examined with little
B.
inets with glass doors, DIRE built around the
apartment. Against the dark lining OF the
shelves the choice porcelain, potteries, sIoneware
and flgurines are displayed 10 the best advantage
and present a remarkably typical exhibition or the
Work or Japanese kilns, together with many
pieces from China and Corea. Choice small speci
mems nestle by threes and tours one OF a series
OF lodges, whilst for great vase the shelving is
cut away from top 70 bottom and the side or the
jar makes a broad note or pearly white OF yellow
OF blue, or some other delightful color on the
sOmber background. By this arrangement the
visitor. who REGIMES on the Ottomans Ia the center
OF the room, can have before his eyes paintings
from French and German easels and porcelain
from the old famous potters or the orient
The artistic arrangement by which large num-
Der OF specimens are grouped in small space tbs,
admirable claSsificatiOn-oo neglected In most prt
waite collections-and the harmonious grouping OF
forms and colorS is the work OF Mr.. Edward Greey
| OF New YORK. who Is well known as the author az
several books upon Japan and as a connosseur
and importer OF oriental works or art. He In addi.
ton, prepared the excellent catalogue In which
every specimen Is SO thoroughly described that
the mereot tyro can understand IL. This valuable
hand book Is In It's plan and details, model that
might advaItageouSiy be copied by collectors and
curatorS OF art MUSEUMS.
The owner OF this gallery has enough pieces to
fairly Illustrate the history OF ceramics In japan
and China during the most important epochs vet
not so many as 10 weary the historian important
point, as those will believe who have attempted TO
see the treasures In the British Museum or exam
ined the famous Japan Palace In Dresden. He ia
also IN that most pleasing period OF q COLLECTORS
progress when he still buys mainly for the love of
beauty, and has not reached the scientific stage
when rarity and the feeling that he must MI pans
In his collection deprives the collector Of the nest
bloom or dilettanteism.
To undertake description Of even a portion OF
the beautiful and interesting things thus brought
together Is beyond the scope OF this brief notice
ALI that it aims TO do Is 10 call attention TO the
collection, which Is the frst serious attempt in
that direction In this city, and TO let the readers
or THE STAR know where and how they can prOnt-
ably and pleasantly spend an afternoon, and at
the same time aid the sweet cause OF charity The
catalogue OF paintings includes the names OF some
OF the most noted and popular modern artists;
and each picture tells its own story to the eve
OF the spectator, they Usually need no Interpreter:
but the collection OF CERAMICS is more comprehen.
sive and complete, and visitors must remember
that the bits OF porcelain and pottery constituting
10 are yerilabie works or art, which will not reveal
their beauties to careless observer but, as they
are studied, Will surrender their various charms
one by one until the novice In the delighrful
science discovers that entirely fresh field or en-
Joyment has been opened up TO him IN the form or
articles, some OF which are among the least preL
tentious OF all those things which are Included
among objects OF the f1ne arts.
Hon. RICHARD W. TowNsHEyp OF Illinois win
aooress the Maryland Democratic Club to-night.
See advertisement.