Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-04-05
ART NOTES.

ton in Washington OF the new Lafayette mon
ument has again brought to the front the old
claim that the Jackson. by Clark Mills. now in
that park, is the first equestrian statue ever set
up where the group is balanced on the hind
feet OF the horse, without other support, and
that all other works of tho kind are mere cop
les of Mr.. Mile realized conception. There Is
no foundation for this claim, and it is surpris-
ing that its fallacy has not been pointed out
long ago. The equestrian statue Of Philip Nv.
In Madrid, which was erected three hundred
years ago, is marked by precisely the same
characteristics, though SO far as is now known
no special superiority has ever been claimed
for IT on that account. This statue was cast in
| Florence, from model made after drawings BY
selasquez, the great Spanish painter, while
| the astronomer Galileo is credited with sug-
costing the method by which the balance OF
| the group is preserved. The figures, which
| rise some twenty feet above the pedestal, weigh
| over 10000 pounds and il is said the work was
| valued, when made, at forty thousand donb-
looms. or something over $500. 900 Of our money
- The three paintings sent by Max weyl to
the approaching spring exhibition of the
| National Academy of Design, in New York,
were all accepted. and one has been hung ION
the line" Considering that less than half of
the large number OF canvases sent in have been
| admitted this result is a very gratifying COM
plimen to Mr.. WeyL
] - Mr.. G.F.Watts, the English painter who has
already done some notable things in sculpture,
has been at work for five years upon piece of
sculpture which he intends to represent Vital
Energy" 1t is the gigantic figure of man
mounted upon a horse. The group is so large
that the top OF the sculptors head does not
/ reach half way mp the horses leg when he
stands in front of It.
| THE old Salon, under the direction of the
Society of French Artists" will be opened in
the Palais de rIndustrie on May Is, and the
/ exhibition will close On June 80. The exhibit
| ton OF the National Society Of Fine Arts,
that is. the 'new Salon. will be opened in the
palais des Beaux Arts, Champ de Mars, on
| May 10. and i. will continue until June 80
| Although the custom has become some
what common with artists in some Of the north
ern cities. notably in New York and Boston,
MIR. Moser has made new departure for Wash
ington in making special and comprehensive
| exhibition OF his own works. And most ex-
cellent idea it is. in more ways than one. In the
first place, exhibitions like this afford the pub
lie an opportunity to judge Of the range and
power of an artist, such as can be enjoyed in no
| other way. 1t also brings producer and GUS
toner closer together, and thus tends to directly
| foster and encourage art, since many persons
purchase picture, and often several, from
such collection who are averse to eli mbing
long flights of stairs to reach studios, with the
chance of finding the artist out or engaged with
sitter. Furthermore, they have the effect of
eleyating the general standard of taste, by
familiarizing the public with productions OF re-
filming and educating influence. It's to be hoped,
therefore. that other Washington artists may
follow the examples thus set by Mr.. Moser,
though few except those working exclusively in
water coiors would be likely to make an exhibit
of such extent and variety And in these respects
the MOser collectlon,-now on view at the
Fischer art store on 18th street.-must be a sur
prise even to the friends of the artist, who are
familiar with his industry and am
bition. 1t numbers nearly one
hundred and fifty. pieces, all water
color drawings, and covers wide
range, both in subject and treatment All sea-
sons of the year are represented; the is
shown, in varying moods; fruitful fields and
mountain-side forests appear. under differ
ent aspects; morning, noon anu evening
tribute their contrasting effects; here and there
an architectural study may be seen; and last,
bu. not least are the subtle portrayas of charac-
ter. illustrated in the daily life of the negro
element Indeed, it may be said that Mr.. Moser
appears at his best III his representations of ne.
gro children-a theme which he evidently I'M
derstands ard enjoys as we'll OF course,
where so much is shown from a single pencil
there is considerable divergence to quality,
and occasional efforts to be seen that are be-
low the standard which a conscientious artist
sets for himself. but as q whole the exhibition
Is an exceedingly credltaDle one. 1t Is pleas
ant to be able to add that the attendance of
visitors has been quite large from the begin
ming, and that already number of the draw
ings bear that legend so dear to the eye and
heart OF an exhibiting artist.-"sold.'
- The gentlemen who have decided to place
the Lafayette monument on the southern edge
of Lafayette Square seem to have the power
under existing legislation, to put it there and
keep it there, if they are SO disposed but it is
pretty clear that in doing So they will act in
opposition to unanimous public sentiment So
FAR not single voice outside Of the trpartite
commission has been raised in favor of the site
proposed. 1t would lie interesting by the way
TO hear what the artists, Messrs. Mercie and
faigulere, would say upon the subject if they
fully understood the whole situation. 1t is safe
to suppose that the air would be blue and sui
phurous for little while with French excla-
nations and explosives.
- Mr.. L. NJ. ID. Guillaume, who has been alb
sent from the city for some time, was compli-
mented by receiving from the State Fair Asso-
citation Of Texas an invitation to exhibit COL
lection of his paintings at Dallas, where they
were awarded the highest premium, a gold
medal of artistic design and considerable in
trinsc value. He remained at Dallas until re-
Gently, painting number of portraits while
there, but he is now in Atlanta where he has
several commissions for portraits, and where he
will probably stay for some time. Among
other orders there he has one for portrait of
the late II. W. Grady for the Chamber OF Com
merce, and another of the same person for a
citizen of Atlanta. Mr.. Guillaume's many
friends in Washington cannot but be gratifed
| at his success as indicated by these facts.
- Those who desire to visit the Walter Gal
leries, in Baltimore, will be pleased to be re-
minded that that fine collection will be open
on Easter Monday, and on Saturdays as well as
Wednesdays during the month of April. At
| the end OF this month it will be closed to the
public.
- The vestry OF Trinity Church, New York.
have accepted the proposition of Mr.. William
Waldorf Astor to attach to that edifice a me-
mortal of his father, the late John Jacob Aston in
the form of set Of bronze doors, to be placed at
| the main entrance of the church. on Broad
| way, opposite the head of Wall street. and at
| the supplementary entrances on the north and
| south sides OF the nave of the church. They
| will be massive and imposing, and as art pro-
| auctions are expected to surpass anything
| known TO this country. Their designing has
| been intrusted to one OF the leading architects
! of New York. II is expected that in their chief
| features they will follow in a measure the
| portals OF the famous baptistry i'll Florence in
| which scenes from the life of Christ are repre-
| sented. 1t is estimated that the cost of the
proposed memorial will he not less than 800,
ooo
| - half the rumors current on the subject
be true, the present owners of MlIet's famous