Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-14
THE AMERICAN ART EXHIBIT.
Some Running Notes on the Paintings at
the Morton Mansion.

the MOTION Sk0uSiOns
1t is pleasant and commendable custom 70
open art exhibitions with reception Of social
nature-to bring to Apollo the tribute which
the grsces owe-but Ii has the disadvantage of
bringing into conflict rival interests, where how
ever great the interest in art may be, IL il the
living beauty rather than its pictured SEM
blance that wins the victory. 1t was 30 the
other evening at the brilliant reception of the
American art exhibition held in Mr. Morton's
house; but now that it Is over, and it's pleasant
feature Of afternoon tea is launched on the
highest waves Of social success, we may turn to
examine critically the pictures which have been
gathered from many sources and brought here
ON their sweet errand of charity.
As Mrs. Van Rensselaer, ..in the interesting
Introduction to the catalogue Of the exhibition,
has pointed out, this Is the first opportunity
which American artists have enjoyed of show
ing their works in the capital of their country,
and therefore there are. it may be imagined,
many surprises IN store for visitors. 1t may, in
fact, be surprise to great many per-
sons that there exists in this country at
present SO able and vigorous q school
of painting as this partial representation
reveals The words partial representation are
used advisedly and in no condemnatory spirit, for
the great difficulty within the existing limits Of
time and sPace for this exhibition Of getting
together a collection of pictures is fully real
lied But the confession that the representa-
ton embraces only portion of the artists who
would figure in an exhibition of larger and
therefore more national character il but q
proof Of the rapid growth of what will soon be,
If it is not already, an American school Of
painting.
This is not the time TO dwell upon the rea-
sons why many of the names represented are
unfamiliar to those of our citizens whose col
lections and interest in art are considerable
The more cheerful fact should rather be in
sisted upon that many of the pictures are from
private collections made by gentlemen of New
''know good thing when they see it., unaided
by the glamour of q foreign name. A glance at
the catalogue reveals that the majority of the
present generation of our artists have enjoyed
the best advantages of foreign study, and in
many cases have carried off the honors
in the exhibitions Of Paris and else
where in Europe; 80 that, at the
outset Of an administration pledged to further
the interests of all things American, it would
seem as though the time was rife to recognize
these new accomplishments, which do not fear
to measure themselves with established stand
ards of the best contemporaneous art. But
this DEPRESSION leads from the purpose to con-
slider some of the works which the exhibition
was brought together.
Discarding the arbitrary arrangement inn
posed upon an otherwise attractive catalogue,
the attention Of visitors Is enlisted on enter
ing by mastery portrait, by F. p. Vinton, of
Boston, of Gen. Devens, and two equally inter-
esting portraits by Eastman johnson, one of a
face well known to all Americans, that of Sem
ator Morrill,. and the other of a lady. Passing
into the reception-room, to the right hangs "A
Brother and Sister" by A. H. Thayer. Simplicity
itself is this young girl child with her arm en-
eircling her brother painted in quiet gray
tones in direct manner: but back of this sim
pie result one feels the strength of the painter.
which is elsewhere eIemplifed by strong
picture entitled "A Young Woman" In
this room is also Purple and Gold"
picture of young girl at
sunset crossing the fields. trailing a garland of
leaves and flowers, in which these tones pre-
dominate. Mr.. j. Alden Weir contributes A
"Reverie" of much originality of composition,
but somewhat married by an unpleasant black
ness in the shadow. Mr.. Weir has elsewhere in
the exhibition a group of dogs, painted with
much freedom, a thoroughly enjoyable picture.
In the reception room there is picture of
venetian Life" by Mr.. J. s. Sargent. which,
though but a triie, proves that Mr.. Sargent's
talent Is not limited to portraiture. The pur-
chase by the trustees of the Royal academy of
London OF Mr.; sargent's picture in the exhibi-
ton OF 1887 brings further proof of this asser-
ton. With a review of Mr.. Coffin's Evening
Shadows" Mr.. Kappes i 'Mending His Ways"
and the two clever genre pictures by Mr.. Gau-
gengigl. OF Boston. we pass. neglecting works
of merit, into the drawing-room, where first to
catch the eye is II. W. Dewing's Prelude" a
composition decoratively treated. portraying
two girls with musical instruments against a
background OF roses. This was the picture at
the exhibition of the Society of American
Artists in New York four years ago, and on re-
viewing it it holds its own exceedingly well.
To the right is a characteristic little picture of
Brooklyn Docks" by VIM. N. Chase, and on
the left a sunny river view, ION the Seine :" by
Theodore Robinson. who has, on the other
wall of the room, girl knitting, a strong out
of-door-life picture with the unpoetical name,
.'Vachere.". On the wall opposite the Pre-
Jude" Is an important picture by ID. W. Tryon,
1.-The Setting Sun" with the reflection Of the
sun in the water, and near it is one no less at
tractive, an October Sunset" BY the same art
list. distinguished and fnely-drawn portrait
painted almost in one tone by Mr. Dewing comes
next, and a bronze medallion by Augustus st.
Gaudens vies with hir. Dewing's portrait for
the grace and elegance of its treatment
Marcus Waterman Is finely represented by an
Algerian mosque, and Howard Russell Butler
by Mexican moonlight scene, which gives US a
glimpse Of country yet little known on our
own continent.
In the room next this hangs a striking pic
ture by H. Siddons Mowbray, Evening
Breezes," which was fifty honored with the
Clarke prize at the exhibition of the National
Academy Of Design last year. Here
by Edwin Il. BlashfieId and NJ!
Lows Dolce Far Niente"-this time an ar
rangement of white and gold-a young girl
seated in careless attitude on a marble
bench in a yellow drapery. This room also
contains what is, perhaps, the most important
work of art in the exhibition, the bust Of Gen.
W. I. sherman, by Augustus st. Gaudens It is
remarkably vivid and carefully studied
piece Of work, and it may well be
doubted whether any of the great men
developed by our civil war have been
equally fortunate in portrait which will
transmit to posterity the impression Of their
personality. Near by is a vigorously modelled
head. In bronze, by Olin L. Warner. These,
with the medallion Of Mr.. st. Gaudens, and a
bronze 1Doup, Buffalo Hunt" by Samuel
Kitson, comprise the sculpture Of the
exhibition. In this room are also to
be found ''Enbers," by Eastman John
son, q sad poetic picture, rich in color.
and the sunny-faced little girls, "In the Barn"
which Is eqally fine in qualities Of painting,
though so different in sentiment
Ascending the stairs We find facing rs three
battle pictures by Gilbert Gaul, Charging the
Earthworks," Boys in Blue" doing their duty
most valiantly-with fate against them-boys
IN gray defending their flag; while between
these scenes of movement We find ''Siience"
We have here the episodes Of war common to
all countries, painted at home and as good as
the average Of war pictures imported in such
large Quantities from foreign shores, and better
than many.
The pictures exhibited on this floor are gem
orally OF equal merit with those already noticed
On the right is the water-color room, with no
less than five pictures from John La Fargo, en-
bracing the large and important lamp
Bearer and the beautiful studies of flowers for