Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-12
NOTES ABOUT ART.

BY way Of illustrating the history OF deco
ratiye art at the Paris Exposition it is the in
tention to have constructed series of models
of the interiors Of dwellings, showing the styles
of decoration peculiar to different countries
and of various ages. If the idea is successfully
carried out it will convey more instruction at a
glance than could be gained from books by
considerable study.
A WELL executed pastel portrait of E. W.
Histed, shown in Mayors window, is the work
of Mr.. G. Birsch, who apparently makes spe-
cialty of this class of pictures. Mr. Birsch
does this work particularly well, which is prob
ably the reason he does so much of it, and he
is very successful in getting true effects Of
color and hnenesS IN molding, the appearance
Of solidity being equal almost to that of oil
painting.
Mr.. D. B. WALRLEY has couple of water
colors on view at Boyd's. They are both sub
iects of similar character, one being study Of
Holland farm house, and the other one of a
Pennsylvania farmers home The sketches
are of equal size, and, SO far as artistic excel
lence is concerned, of equal Importance; yet it
is, perhaps, gratifying to patriotic instincts to
note that the home farm scene forms the best
picture of the two
A PICTURESQUE valley on a clear midsum-
mer day is the subject Of very fine work by
Mr., George Hetzel, which is shown in Boyd's
window. This pictureis is well handled through.
out, and has, in addition, some points Of
special excellence, of which the splendid paint
ing of sky and clouds is not the least important.
The atmospheric effect in this portion of the
work is of far more than ordinary merit. but it
is fully equaled by the mastery treatment OF
haze ia the distance The subject Of this
picture forms very beautiful scene, consist
ing as it does Of fine valley between splendidly
wooded hills, and through which small stream
wanders over its shallow bed. As regards the
execution Of the work, it is fully up to Mr..
Hetzels usual standard, and In some particu-
lars may even go beyond 1t.
NOT little comment has been called forth
by the fact that Of the many portraits at Wash
ington shown at the Centennial Exhibition no
two Of them appear alike, and yet there Is
nothing remarkable about it, as anyone must
admit who will consider the matter for mo-
ment. There is probably no greater dissimi-
larity between these various paintings than In
an equal number Of modern photographs taken
by as many different photographers.
When we consider the innumerable causes
which have to do with forming the
character of an individual, his changing moods
from day to day, and then reflect that neither
the camera nor the brush Of the artist can
depict more than one phase at time of this
complex organism, whose outward semblance
is changing constantly through the influence
of the mind and its ever varying thoughts, and
of the soul-speaking through the countenance,
We will find little cause for wonder that por.
traits vzry in appearance, aside from the tech
nical differences by which an artist stamps his
own individuality upon his work.
Mr.. WILLIAM T. RICHARDS, Of New York,
is, perhaps, one of Americas best marine
painters; at any rate his productions in this
branch of art are possessed Of more than or.
binary merit A work by this artist, which has
been In the Gillespie gallery for some days. will
fully bear out the foregoing statement. It is a
might be said, of the coast as the view
is taken looking oceanward, and the
picture presents little else than an expanse
Of sea and sky, with the exception
of partially submerged rock on the beach
narrow strip Of sand still covered with water
from the last retreating breaker. The title of
this picture is "a Summer Morning." and the
keynote of the work is one of brightness and
life. Through an opening in the clouds the
sun, which is not yet high in the heavens, may
be seen, and its rays are returned in glitter
ing reflection from the waves Of the sea and
the wet sand Of the beach. This picture
is combination Of good qualities that
color is excellent, the drawing almost faultless,
the waves possess cleanness transparency and
motion, the cloud painting is far away better
than is often found in some Of the most highly
priced pictures; In short, the work is a fine one
both in whole and in part, and is one of those
which are constant source of satisfaction to
their owners. Mr.. Richards has an enyiable
reputation as landscape painter, in which he
IS noted for carefulness and finish of detail.
Since he has turned his attention to marine
views, clearness and brilliancy of coloring are
still his leading characteristics.
THE Hacke gallery opens this week an en-
tirely new lot Of pictures, numerous enough to
completely cover its walls. and consisting for
the most part of very high class works. All
those who appreciate fine pictures should
make it point to visit this collection, which is
one of the largest ever brought to this
CITY. and contains some rare and i'm
portant paintings, giving it special IN
terest in addition to the general ex-
cellence of those forming the bulk of the ex-
hibit. Those who fail to visit these pictures
during their stay here will have missed some-
thing well worth seeing, as an hour or two may
be spent among them both pleasurably and
proftably. The collection embraces great
variety Of subjects and includes many famous
names. Perhaps the largest and most i'm
portant work shown is that by Evariste Car
pentier, entitled, Lies Refugees" picture well
known here through numerous reproductions.
"Russian Officers Shooting Horse. Thieves" is
a fine painting by b. de Kaslowsky, full OF life
Slenens. for which Sarah Bernhardt posed as a
model for one of the figures, is called ''rhe
T3ntterfies" A picture showing landscape
with q number of young calves In the fore
Sronnd and o good effect OF storm in the dis
lance. is the work Of A. Braith, and It exhibits
q complete mastery of some of the techni.
caIities of painting; it Is called "a Rainy
Day on the Bavarian Hills.' A marine view by
Win. T. Richards is splendid water color in
which both rocks and sea are particularly well
handled. ION the Towpath," by Veyrossat.
and IThe Cavalry Review by p. Jaset both
show fine painting of men and animals; the
former auiet and restful and the latter srrong
in action and spirit. Many others might be in
stanced among them fine work by Rico. "a
Street in Seyillen "Iu the Seraglio," by G.
Simoni. q finely painted work of
Decorative character; "Espionage," by Berne.
BeIlecour, and q very pleasing little work by
Rridrman entitled, "Out Of the RAIN" show
inc little girl sheltering herself under tree:
Al number Of pictures possessing merit are still
more valuable on account of the famous names
thew bear OF this class is the still life by Vol
Ion and aThe Song" by Yibert; it is also true of
IA Windy Day on the North Sea- by Emile
Vernier and of few others, These. pictures
are the property OF Mr.. Charles T, Haselton,of
Philadelphia, and, taken as q whole, they
form collection Of very strong interest to
buyers and to all who appreciate works OF