Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-07

The regular monthly meeting OF the Acade
my OF Science and Art was held at the Acade
my House on Friday evening. Mr.. John A.
brashear read paper entitled 'tlfty Years OF
Astronomical Photography" The paper was
Illustrated by Mr.. Brashear's private collection
of astronomical photographs, as well as lantern
slides by the most eminent astronomical pho
tographers in the world. 1t may not be gener-
ally understood that while the papers offered
from time TO time may be considered lectures,
they are open for discussion in the same way as
papers read before any art scientific society.
Such discussion is desired and will prove high
ly profitable to the members if judiciously in
oulged in.
charming bit of sculpture was exhibited in
Gillespie's window during the past week. 1t is
an original design for a monument to Robert
Burns, and was modelled by Signor Apalloni a
gentleman who has been engaged for some
time on frieze in the art room which is part
of the homo of H. K. Porter, at Oakland.
This figure. which represents the poet standing
in graceful attitude. reading, is full of charm
ing qualities of design and everywhere gives
the most decided evidence of an intuitive feel
ing upon the part of the sculptor for the
picturesque quality in dranery and accessories.
The costume Is well adapted to a display of
this quality and afforded The opportunity for
artistic handling, but the rare touch of one
6eenly alive to the possibilities of the subject
was needed to produce this delightful freedom
of treatment and mastery of detail. Aside
from these, which may be considered second
2ry qualities. the figure is full of action ana
certain air of Jolly Scotch freedom i'll perfect
keeping with the subject, and the modelling
and pose of the head are admirable. If this
Burns was executed in Pittsburg, then it IS safe
10 say that in the line of sculpture nothing
like it has ever been produced here, and the
author should be given the freedom of the
city.
Mr.. Atkin, of Monongahela City, exhibits
this week two pictures of flowers. One is of a
vase, with flowers, and the other pansies.
The near approach of the holiday season has
the effect of crowding our portrait artists with
work designed for Christmas presents. Un-
fortunately those desiring this KIND of work
delay ordering until almost the last moment.
forgetting that time is required for the produc-
nOn OF good work.
Mr.. George Storm exhibits a portrait as his
latest production
Two new pictures by Mr.. Al King were seen
at BOyd's during the week. One Is a forest
piece, carefully and well painted, and the other
and smaller canvas is picture of game.
large marine painting by A. Dies. of Rome,
was exhibited at Boyd's during the past week.
II was painted for the seminary at Loretta, near
Cresson.
1t is understood that number Of pictures are
awaiting the action of the committee appointed
TO decide upon the acceptance of works of art
for the Carnegie gallery in Allegheny. This
committee has a delicate task to perform, and
one which should be undertaken with discre-
tion and sincerity. Its deliberations should be
absolutely secret because while it is not proba-
bic IL is at least possible that all the art works
offered may not be of that quality, from an
artistic Standpoint, which viii make them de-
sira6le works for the collection. If Allegheny
is TO have a collection, the quality of it is of
m q
some time in the future be necessary to bar a
painting which will be offered with the best
feeling aud intention possible The one who
kindly offers such a work should not (he will
not II he Is sensible man) feel the least degree
OF resentment, because the action will. if taken,
be In the interests Of the very institution
which be himself proposes to benefit.
sll who desire to contribute should be invited
T. do upon tnis fair understanding, that the
works are to be passed upon by a committee
and that the deliberations of this committee
are to be absolutely secret. If the one who
proposes to donate work is satisfied that the
committee is competent, its decision should be
TO him final and satisfactory.
c. S. Reiahart has placed on exhibition at
Bielman's Art Galleries, Fifth avenue, New
York collection of his works in black and
white, which is attracting much attention and
calling forth the most favorable comment.
The beautiful picture by Daubigny that was
catalogued at the Barye exhibition as Land
scape," but the right title of which is Scar
rieres-sous-Poissy," and which is owned by Mr..
John G. johnson, of Philadelphia, is etched by
W. {. Bauer 1t is one of the finest of Dau-
bigny's works. and Ii is PLEASANT to find it
produced as an etching by an American artist.
A number OF new etcHing~ have appeared dur
ing the week. One by Winslow Homer "On
Saranac Lake" is the most notable of all of
them, first, because Mr. Homer may justly be
placed at the head of what we term the
american SchooI' Of painting, and second,
because this etching of 4 man in boat fly
fishing has most individual side in treat
ment.
+E%
AT Richards gallery in New York there is
an exhibition of % paintings by II. W. Ranger.
AT the Philadelphia Art Club the picture by
Clifford Grayson called "Bereft" has been
bought with the fund of the club. 1t was
shown in New York good while ago, and rep
reseDts tisbermau's wife crouched together in
the agony of recent loss. The landscape, by
Dennis Bunker, which took prize at the Chi
cago Exhibition is another purrnaSe for the
CLUB. This picture was at the Exhibition of
the Society of American Artists last spring.
THE Society of British Artists has persuaded
Messrs. Burne-Jones and George F. Watts to
become members of the society. The latter
has sent To their exhibition portrait of Ten
nyson IN his peers robes, front face, with
background of gTeenish tapestry. Mr.. James
NJ. " histler has nos sent a contribution, though
be is an ex-Presldent
a NEW art club is about to be formed in Bos-
ton called the Unity. 1t viii include photog-
raphers, wood carvers and draughtsmen for
the press, well as water colorIstS, paIntersIIn
oil and sculptors.
THREE stained-glass windows by John La
Fargo have been placed in the Unitarian
Church on woodward avenue, Detroit.
OF the showing made by the Society of ANA
teur Wood Engravers at the Museum of Fine
Arts, the Boston Herald says: at is the most
beautiful. complete and extensive collection of
wood engravings ever seen here and its like
long time TO come"
A NEW etching by Mr.. Charles A. Platt has
1ust made its appearance. Mr.. Klackner is the
publisher. The plate is entitled ''Steam and
Tide" and represents lighter coming up the
North river. The city stretches along the hori-
Eon from one side of the plate to the other with
the lines of masts at the docks and the roofs of
buildings deiicately indicated against the sky.
THE Philadelphia Telegraph says: "It is be-
coming more and more evident that artistic
portraiture, SO far from being relegated to the
limbo of by-gone things, is growing in favor
with the more intelligent and cultivated classes
OF the community, and meeting with ever-in-
e-easing appreciation and respect. The educa-
tional influence of the great portraits by the
old masters brought to this country within the
past ten years may have aided IN forwarding
this result. The monumental works of Rem
brandt, NelasqueZ and Van Dyck. which il has
been the happy fortune of the artistic CON-
munity of America TO acquire within the dec
Rde, have awakened an interest in portraiture