Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-02
ART MATTERS In THE CITY.

A PAINTING by L Sturm, the artist who ex-
ecuted the large work after Raphael for Mr.
Andrew Carnegie, is shown this week at Boyd's
The picture, which appears to be an old one,
represents Mary Magdalen reclining upon the
noor of cavern intently regarding the pages
OF book spread open before her, while near
by is seen a symbol Of mortality in the form of
human skull. The work is well handled and
OF good color. but upon a close examination Of
the volume, it strikes one as presenting rather
modern appearance.
Mr. j. ELMER SALISBURY. the young South
side artist, who is still pursuing his studies in
Paris, has sent home three new pictures
which arrived in the city few days ago, and
are now at his residence on Tenth street. The
notable work of the three is a morning effect
in picturesque glen down which the sparkling
waters Of mountain stream find their way.
This is very large painting, and one in which
considerable skill in coloring and composition
is shown; The other pictures are both por-
been badly damaged in transit
Mr.. A c. WOOSTER is becoming favorably
known as . clever painter of still-life subjects,
but he has not yet managed to relieve his
works of the somber appearance which his in
tensely dark backgrounds cast over them. It
would be extremely difficult to paint an old
wicker basket and a few russell apples any more
truthfully than has been done in the work
which he is showing this week at Morrison's,
and if they were seen against background of
fat wall of dark brown paint, the picture
would be thoroughly artistic production.
MRS. W. H. MILLER, Of Allegheny, has a
very creditable painting on exhibition in the
Gillespie gallery. The subject is q still-life
consisting of group of richly colored objects
very tastefully arranged. The leading feature
of the work is a vase of roses standing upon a
small table covered with silk drapery and seen
in relief against . screen of dark plush. The
work is well and freely handled, and is lacking
only in that solidity and substantial appear
ance characteristic of more scientific painting.
The objects are tastefully arranged, cleverly
drawn and reasonably well colored. A notice.
able fault, however, is that the roses are too
nearly of the same shade as the covering of
the table, but in the face of so much excellent
work it is scarcely fair to pick out the faults of
o work which in its general effect would do
credit to some of our professional artists.
Mr.. GEORGE HETzEL's latest landscape
may be seen during the present week at Boyd's.
The scene is at the junction of the Conemaugh
and the LoyaIhanna, and it is painted with a
view to representing the spot as nearly as pos
sible il the way it appeared 100 years ago, for
which purpose the artist has ideaIized the work
in several respects, particularly by obllterating
some OF the more modern features of the
scene. Several wigwams are introduced
upon the farther bank of the stream,
and canoe containing a couple Of Indian
braves is represented floating upon its CLASSY
surface. The effect renderedis that of bright
sunny Qay IN midsummer W1Ln q SllYory lumt-
nous sky and a clear food of light over the
landscape. In regard to drawing and coIoring
the work is very true to nature, and IN respect
of handling is up to Mr.. Hetzers usual high
standard, all that need be said, as this veteran
artists pictures are so widely known that COM
ment upon his manner of execution is unnces-
sary.
By far the best picture that Mr.. Wills Porter
has yet shown is at present on exhibition at
Boyd's. Like most of this artists works, the
subject is scene Of military life, and the title,
Bringing Up the Guns" conveys a very clear
idea of its character. The scene represented
is that of battery advancing in readiness for
action. and as regards conception and compost
tion the work must certainly be regarded
as very excellent one. There is some
very faulty drawing in the figure of
one of the horses, unfortunately the nearest
and most prominent one of them all, but in
other parts the painting has been very cleVerly
done, both in drawing and coloring. The
figures are we'll arranged on the canvas and the
action is strong and life-like. The landscape
feature of the picture is kept properly sub
ordinate in interest; it is in harmony with the
spirit of the scene and is fairly well handled
Altogether Mr.. Porter deserves credit for
having produced painting that will at once
attract attention as being out of the beaten
track so closely followed by the majority of our
local artists