Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-22
BRUSH AND PALETTE.
Interest Taken in the Art Exhibit in
the Exposition Galleries.
A GROWING APPRECIATION OF ART
Mention of Some of the More Important
Paintings Displayed.
GOSSIP ABOUT OUR LOCAL ARTISTS

The interest attaching to the art exhibit
at the Exposition galleries shows no signs
of abating, but seems rather to be increas-
ing day by day. This, however, SO far
from being matter that need excite sur
prise. is only what might reasonably be eI-
pected considering the character and extent
of the display. We nave had many exhi-
bitions of pictures in this city at which
were shown some splendid works, but never
before has such large number and such
great variety of paintings and drawings
of an equal order of merit been gathered to-
gether under one roof and established under
conditions so favorable to their inspection
and study. That this fact is appreciated by
vast numbers OF intelligent and refined peo-
pie is fully evidenced by the crowds that
daily throng the galleries, and it does not
require particularly keen observer to note
that very considerable proportion OF the
visitors exercise a nice discrimination be-
tween work which is mastery and that
which is only mediocre. And this discrim-
ination in turn indicates that the taste
In art of those for whom the galleries prove SO
attractive is refined, cultivated and intelligent.
No one can do justice to this display in one or
two hurried visits. and this fact is soon felt
and appreciated by those who make the at
tempt; the same persons may often be seen
repeatedly studying some of the more i'm
portant pictures, thus proving that they tully
realize the value of the opportunity afforded
them by an exhibit of such unusual excellence.
SOME NOTABLE PICTURES.
Although mention has already been made of
many of the most noted works. still many others
in hot bu nf a a
visit to the galleries something new and strik-
ing may be observed in pictures that were
previously passed by without the attention
which they merit.
A work that should not be passed without no.
tice. and one that is likely to command attention
through its striking character and compost
tion, even though faulty in execution, II judged
from a severely critical standpoint, is Edw.
Dowdalrs Last Interview Between Charles L
and Oliver Cromwell" A rather pretentlous
picture, in which fine conception has been but
FssSa1 Carried Was Sut sodier
Mills. This picture is faulty in regard to the
expression on the faces of the three persons
composing the group. An altogether pleasing
and satisfactory painting is the one called The
Old Manse," by Walter Satterlee. This picture
represents two young girls arranging some
flowers in room of an old-fashioned mansion.
The color IS very agreeable, and the texture of
the drapery is particularly well rendered. The
"Frosty Morning" by Hamilton Hamilton, is
fine work in a free, but effective style of ex-
ecution. A work beautiful in color and unique
in the style OF its composition is the "Good
Morning." by Edward Moran. Miss Bertha
Won Hillern's work. ''st. Paul the First Her
nit" shows deplorable lack of technical Skill.
Whatever may be said of its conception and
composition-in these particulars it has received
much praise-it can hardly be said to possess
any technical excellence whatsoever. A paint
ing somewhat faulty in drawing but which
probably conveys a very fair idea of the char
acter of the scene depicted, is the AT Bay" by
F. s. Dellenbaugh The work represents
Navajo Indian brought to bay among the rocks.
"a Chapter From the Koran" is the title of a
strong work by William Sartain, showing a
picture of life and manners, far removed from
anything with which we are familiar. John w.
Cassiliar's "Genesee Valley After Rain"
shows a fine effect of sky and distance. Mr..
c. S. Kilpatrick's Grandma" deserves notice
from its being a creditable work by one of the
younger OF our local artists.
SOME CURIOUS VISITORS.
Of course one visits the galleries with his
eyes open, but the sense of hearing is also
sometimes made the medium through which
he becomes cognlzant of many amusing Incl
dents transpiring around him. Among the
throngs which frequent the galleries there are
always some to whom a painting is mystery.
Persons of this class are wont to give vent to
their amazement in very characteristic lam
guage, and in tones which are distinctly
great cause of astonishment with them that the
works which they see before them are the re-
suits of the working of the human hand and
the human brain, and they can scarcely realize |
thatsuch works can be produced without the aid
of machinery To their unsophisticated minds !
it seems reasonable to suppose that man might
construct machine to do any kind of work
which he desired however intricate or compli- |
Gated it might be, but that he can do the same
work himself they deem incredible and at |
times refuse to believe More than one such |
innocent has been heard to assert while stand |
ing before some masterpiece of art that ut |
wasn't never handmade" or "hand-painted," |
as the case might be. To such persons a little |
hit of realism will appeal with far greater force
than the grandest productions of genius, aud |
they are filed with Open-mouthed wonder |
when they learn that what appears to be glass |
in Mr.. Kings "Bad Break" is not glass but |
paint and their admiration knows no bounds |
when they discover that the flies upon the |
Peaches do not futter their wings when |
touched. One of these characters, a long,
lank cadavei GUS looking individual with |
straw hat, top boots and beard of the typical |
hayseed cut, stood before Benoni 1rwin's la |
Improvisatrice' and gazing long and earnestly |
at fly that had settled upon the picture, at |
length reached up with his huge cotton um- |
Drella and touched it. unable to discern the |
difference between the representation and the |
reality Surely if one fails to find sufficient |
matter of interest upon the walls of the galle- |
res he might spend his time pleasurably and |
not altogether unproitably in studying the |
character of some of the visitors.