Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-08
PICTURES AND PAINTERS.


was expected to arrive home last evening
ONE of the finest works in the way of an
etching that has been published for some time
past is that entitled ''Breaksrs," by Otis Weber,
picture that shows splendid effect of curl
ing and tossing waves.
A NUMBER Of small water-color paintings by
Mr.. D. B. Walkley are shown at Mayors. They
are small pictures, very cleverly handled, as
are most of Mr.. WalKley's efforts in this line Of
work. The subjects are all of a simple charac-
ter, indeed they should be called studies rather
than complete pictures, but they are Just such
bright little bits Of color effect as are unsur-
passed for lending an air OF brightness and
cheerfulness to room.
MAGNOLIA" is the title of a work by Mr.
James R. MCDOWELL that is really a marine
view, consisting as it does of little else but sea
and sky with but . glimpse of distant shore.
The picture is very pleasing one with an effect
of calmness and repose: the waters stilled be-
meath quiet dreamy sky. Mr.. Woodwell's
happy faculty of combining few simple
forms into a striking and effective picture is
seen to advantage in this work, which, slight
as it may seem, bears evidence of very oarefnl
study.
Mr. WILL 8. REYNOLDS exhibits painting
at Gillespie's in which the degree Of technical
excellence is scarcely in keeping with the
character Of the subject. The scene repre-
sented is the exterior of small cottage shown
in the midst Of wintry landscape. Near the
door Of the cottage may be seen the figure of a
little girl who apparently is experiencing some
difficulty in making headway against the force
of the wind. The subject is o good one but it
is too hard and stiff in handling, and is too
meager of detail to make an effective picture.
Mr.. GEORGE HETzEL has a very pleasing
little landscape exhibited at Boyd's In re-
spect of composition, the work is unique and
of character quite different from the class Of
aul,io hr1 fiot IL
neither woodland scene nor yet an open land
scape, but partakes somewhat Of the nature of
both. In the foreground are some fine old
trees, and looking out from among them the
eye travels over green and sunny fields until
the view is again obstructed by others in the
distance. The handling is in the stvle with
which all admirers of works by HetZel are
familiar, and 1t has been carried to a consider
able degree of finish and elaboration of detail.
Light and shade form an important feature of
this painting; in fact light and shade and CON-
position constitute its principal features as
work Of art, and their being so well managed
renders the picture very effective one.
IT is not every day that we can obtain
glimpse of a fine work by Henner, and when
one is accessible, 1t is worth while to go out of
our way to see 1t. Pictures by Henner are rare,
not SO much because he does not paint as
rapidly as the average artist of equal ability,
but because there is scarcely another to be
m6nLlOueu Will 30 pIOuOuuCcu al AHuANluudAlbg
of style. His work is noted for its strength and
richness of coioring. and also for peculiar
type Of face that 10 seen In no pictures but his.
The face Is an uncommon, almost an ideal 0ne,
and in spite Of the fact that he works at differ
ent times from various models, he always man
ages to invest his pictures with the same pc
culiar characteristics. An excellent example Of
this artists work may now be seen a. the Gil
lespie gallery where 1t will undoubtedly attract
great deal OF attention. The style OF this
xuO ia mn Iro hat Of a M m
the color being noticeably after the manner Of
Titan.
THAT Mr.. Fred Busman, the well-known
vocal teacher. has on several occasions given
evidence Of a considerable degree of ability as
a painter, both in the matter of native talent
and acquired skill, is fact very well-known to
his numerous friends; and IL any further proof
could be required, it is furnished by the pic
ture which he has at present on exhibition at
Boyd's. The subject Of this painting. which Is
a large-siZed work in oil, is scenc on Point
creek, near Scalp Level. The spot is a familiar
one to visitors TO that picturesque locality, it
being situated but few minutes walk below
the village, and is one Of the most easily &C
cessible points in the famous glen through
which the waters Of the creek finds its way over
bed OF stone. Mr.. Busman is accustomed to
take up his brush and palette in such odd
moments as do not interfere with the pursuit
Of his profession, and the picture in question
is one upon which he has worked in this man.
ner at different times during the past two wears.
THERE are two pictures by Mr.. HIS. Stevenson
shown at Boyd's. The first is an excellently
weIl-handled water color, and is unquestion-
ably as fine work Of its class as this artist has
ever produced; the second is in oil. and, though
possessed of some good qualities. is by no
means one of Mr.. Stevenson's best efforts.
The water color referred to is q landscape
showing broad stretch of level country,
bounded in the distance by belt of trees, and
the foreground composed of aluxuriant marshy
growth of long, rank grass. The whole effect
of this work is artistic; it is good in compost
tion and has been very effectively handled.
The subject Of the second picture is a shady
SPOT beside a small stream where a woman and
a young girl are seen engaged in washing
clothes. This picture is better in conception
than execution, and would be still more effect
i've If the two trees were not so nearly alike,
and from q technical standpoint of criticism,
it would be improved by being brought
to a higher degree OF finish and
GREATER elaboration of detail. These are two
works by the same artist between which there
is no comparison as regards the satisfaction
they afford the beholder. In examining the
one we are impressed with a sense of fullness
and completeness of the work being finished
and the story fully told; when looking at the
other we become aware of a sense of vacancy,
of something wanting. and we feel but little in
dncement to prolong our study, since all that is
to be seen is on the surface and may be taken
in with even hurried glance.
AMONG other difficulties that artists have to
contend with, the fading and otherwise under
going alteration to which certain pigments are
liable Is very well known and understood, but
few persons outside of the charmed circle of
artists or art students are aware that in addi-
ton to this failing certain colors have the quail
Ity of destroying each other in mixture. Many
colors that are perfectly safe If used alone or
IN mixture with the majority of other pig
ments in general use, are fatal to the harmony
Of a picture If used together. for they will
quarrel chemically as sure as acids and alkalis,
Il they chance to come In contact with each
other. Thus, orpiment is destroyed by white
lead, and brilliant green produced by an ad-
mixture OF cadmium with emerald green
changes in the course Of a few weeks time to
iull and dirty-looking tint of color, vastly diff.
ferent from its original condition. White lead,
4 color in almost universal use. and one that
will probably continue SO for the reason that |
nothing has been found or is likely to be found |
that artists Will accept in its place, nothing |
that 10 found 50 satisfactory in working, and |
nothing with which the artistic effects can so
readily be produced; but, for all that, white |
lead Is a color that can not safely be mixed |
with all other colors. and even when used alone |
It turns yellow with age, or backens II 1t |
comes in contact with sulphuretted hydrogen
yas. The whites made from zinc and from |
chromate Of baryta are almost perfect chro- |
that is, they will neither turn yellow |
nor blacken under any ordinary conditions.
But both OF these pigments are too thin and |
weak, and, they lack the peculiar richness Of |
white lead; they have not suficient body for
'olid painting, and few artists can be induced
10 use them throughout q picture, but they |
and use lead IN those positions |
east likely to suffer from exposure.
MRS. DR. SIMPSON, assisted by Prof.
Byron King, Mr.. d. NJ. Bullock and Miss
irene Sample. will give An eIoentionarv enter |