Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-17
ART NOTES AND GOSSIP.

The PittsbuTg Art Society held a meeting
last Tuesday morning at which committee on
membership was appointed, and matters per-
tanning to the welfare of the society and art in
general were freely discussed. The outcome of
the discussion will probably be that a more
active part Will be taken by the society in furth
ering the art interests of this city. An effort
will be made to secure centrally located rooms
for the society's meetings, and some action will
probably be taken looking to the establishment
of q permanent art gallery, most likely in con-
nection with the new Exposition building.
THE three old pictures brought from Mexico
by Mr.. James A. Mccormick, which have been
shown III Boyd's window for several days, ex-
hibit some of the effects of time upon work
executed in unreliable colors by painter who
was probably ignorant of the nature of the pig
lnents he was using. 1t is not likely that they
ever possessed any great merit as to color, but
it can readily be seen that they have changed
from what must have been their original con-
dition. Bad drawing shows itself whatever
the age of the picture and a line that is drawn
will remain unchanged when the hand which
traced it has long been dust, but in looking at
very old pictures it is extremely difficult to say
what its color may or may not have been.
A BRIGHT and attractive woodland picture,
easily recognizable as the work of Mr.. George
Hetzel, was shown in Gillespie's window dur
ing the past week. Tall and stately forest trees
rear their lofty crests toward the sky,
while through their gracefully intertwined
branches the sunlight streams with golden
radiance, falling upon the earth in scattered
rays of glowing splendor and producing three
brilliant tints of liquid grass only to be seen in
midsummer woods. The light in this
picture falls broadly upon the background,
giving to. the whole work an appearance of
richness and warmth very often absent in
paintings of woodland scenery. and serving to
enhance the really delicate beauty of the half
toned greens which form the major portion of
the work For the simple and straightforward
Of f1na frf1
conscientious finish of detail, particularly in
the foliage and the character of the ground,
this is a picture which Is not often excelIed.
THE total value of the property of the Met
ropolitan Museum of Art in New York is at
present not less than SS,0OO,0OO, and it is con-
stantly being increased by gifts from public
spirited citizens. AS this institution has
grown to its present importance from COM
paratively small beginning, it may serve as an
instance illustrating the rapidly increasing In
terest taken in art matters in this country,
and it may also be taken as fairly good
evidence that similar institution would attain
proportionate success in this city if sufficient
energy were once manifested by those inter-
ested to bring such a project to the front and
place it fairly under way, In regard to volun-
tary subscriptions of money for public or be-
nevolent purposes our citizens are not behind
those of any city in the country, not excepting
the metropolis, and there is little doubt that if
such an institution were once established that
costly gifts and liberal contributions, which
would soon render it one of the features of our
city that the people might be justly proud of.
IN some of our modern homes the desire for
decoration and ornament is INDUCED in to such
an excess as to become positively objection
able, and in nothing is this fact more evident
than in the custom which now obtains SO gen.
orally of tying or otherwise affxing searfs of
various materials upon almost every piece OF
furniture in the room, and from which not
even chairs IN constant use are permitted to
escape. 1t is often difficult to make use
of chairs SO decorated without spoil
ing or disarranging these delicate pieces
of fancy work, and it is embarrassing to find,
upon arising from chair. that one of them has
attached itself to the back of your coat. But
aside from the question of utility, in the ex-
tent to which the custom is followed at pres
ent it is not in pursuance of any well-defned
ideas or laws of art. Where mantelpieces,
lounges, chairs, tables, cabinets, screens, etc.,
are all adorned with samples of various tex
tile manufactures the effect produced is rather
made use of for the display of goods for sale
than of a tastefully furnished apartment In
the furnishing of room with a view to artistic
effect there should be nothing admitted save
only what serves some clearly defined purpose
of use or ornament, and where objects in
themselves devoid of utility are too often re.
peated, especially where they obtrude them
selves and get in the way, they become not
be dispensed with.
WATER colors and autotypes have been the
attraction during the past week at the GILES.
pie gallery. where they will remain for a few
days longer. The autotypes are from master
pieces of art while the water colors are original
works, many of them of a high standard Of ex.
cellcnce. The collection belongs to Mr. Henry
B. Pettes, of Philadelphia, who is here in per.
son with it, and it embraces a great variety
of works by different well known
artists. Without referring to particu.
lar works it may fairly be said
that the general standard of merit in the
pictures shown Is very good, but q mention of
a few of the most important may nevertheless
be of interest A marine view by Charles s,
tion and vigorously handled. Another marnie.
"Off Ramsgate," by John Selmon is also a
good picture, in which the water is well
painted, but showing some faults in the work
on the sky and clouds. A rural scene by
Fred Davis, and a landscape by A. g.
Fox are both excellent works: the latter
is very pleasing in colof aud original in COM
position, Two large works by w. H. Vernon,
both scenes in Florence, are complete pictures,
carefully but freely handled, and very effect
i've. A strong and pleasing work by Charles
Collins, showing sheep in the midst of winter
landscape, is an example of tree and uncon-
ventional composition, and is treated with a
warmth of color that is very agreeable, without
detracting in the least from the appearance of
GOODNESS and bleakness characteristic of the
season. The works above enumerated are
mentioned as indicating the character of the
exhibition. There are many others of equal
merit and interest, and the collection as a
whole will amply repay the trouble of visit.